Rhonda Mary RAJSICH
Bio
BIRTHDATE: October 7, 1978
PLACE OF BIRTH: Phoenix, Arizona
HOMETOWN: Phoenix, Arizona
HIGH SCHOOL: Thunderbird High School, Class of '97
COLLEGE: Phoenix College/Stephen F. Austin State
MAJOR: Psychology
DEGREE: Associates (Phoenix College - 1999)
HEIGHT: 5'-10"
PARENTS: Dennis Rajsich & Deneen Thurow-Fosholt
BEGAN PLAYING: 1989
OTHER SPORTS: Basketball
US Open Win
Rhonda Rajsich wins her first US Open Title in a remarkable turn of events, former champion Christine Van Hees re-surfaced from a three-year Hiatus from the game, to take out the long-reigning top-seed and reach the final of the Choice Hotels 8th US Open championships. At the same time, her opponent in the 2001 final, Rhonda Rajsich, has also attained her best finish this season by reaching that same current final, for a rematch of the 2002 face-off. Then, Van Hees defeated Rajsich for the title, but Sunday's match was just the opposite, with Rajsich winning in four games of 6-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-7.
Over 50 women from all over the world entered the initial LPRA draw, with 16 of them advancing through a qualifying round--including Van Hees--to earn one of eight open spots in the main draw. It was perhaps the strongest draw in LPRA history, led by defending champion and No.1 ranked Cheryl Gudinas, and Kerri Wachtel, No.2 on the tour and 2001 US Open Champion, who have faced each other in the finals of each of the first three stops of the season.
The road to the finals was slightly tougher for Van Hees, who had to qualify before traching the main draw, then face a tough round of 32 pick in No.5 Kim Russell. Following that upset Christie took out No. 12 Susana Acosta, and No. 20 Tammy Brown (who had logged her own upset over No.4 Kersten Hallander in the preceding round). At that point, Van Hees had to go up against long-time US rival Gudinas, and come out ahead in a down-to-the-wire five-game tiebreaker to upset the defending champion. Rhonda Rajsich's run began in the main draw, from the No. 3 seed position, and she advanced by eliminating No. 14 Laura Fenton, No. 22 Angela Grsar and No. 7 Kristen Walsh (who had upset No. 2 Wachtel in the quarterfinal).
Check out the draw and other information provide by the
Ladies Professional Racquetball Association