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U.S. Top Seeds Advance Easily at Parapan American Games
By Marvin Olberding
// U.S. Paralympics
// August 14, 2007
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Beth Arnoult-Ritthaler starts women's semifinal action Wednesday morning on Center Court.
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RIO DE JANEIRO - After receiving a bye Monday, top seeds Beth Arnoult-Ritthaler (Paia, Hawaii) and Jon Rydberg (Oakdale, Minn.) wasted little time advancing to the next round during wheelchair tennis competition at the Parapan American Games Tuesday, with neither player losing a game in the process.
Rydberg needed only 37 minutes to dispatch of El Salvador’s Federico Huezo, while Arnoult-Ritthaler took 42 minutes to defeat Puerto Rico’s Tania Tieso. Kaitlyn Verfuerth (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), the women’s No. 2 seed, also won easily, defeating Chile’s Maria Ortiz, 6-0, 6-1.
In men’s doubles action, the team of Rydberg and Lee Hinson (Jacksonville, Fla./Wallan, Australia) made quick work of Ecuador’s Diego Jaramillo and Esteban Ortiz, 6-0, 6-0.
Hinson will only be moving on in the doubles competition, however, after falling to Columbia’s Pedro Leon in the first match of the morning. After rallying to take the first set, Hinson fell 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
Another Columbian was responsible for the ousting of the other U.S. competitor in the men’s singles draw. Paul Moran fell to Eliecer Oquendo in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.
The defeats only confirmed sentiments that the U.S. coaching staff had coming into competition, according to head coach Dan James (Oakdale, Minn.)
“I think our prediction that there would be some nice players here in South America that we’re not familiar with came true,” James said. “Lee and Paul faced some players that were very talented and had a greater understanding of how to play on the red clay, and they simply outplayed us today. I think that showed our entire team that we will have to compete at the highest level if we are going to succeed at the Parapan American Games.”
With the proper focus, assistant coach Jason Harnett (Irvine, Calif.) says he thinks the U.S. has the ability to do very well, based on Tuesday’s performances.
“I think Jon showed today that he’s the best athlete in the draw, and if he stays true to form, he should perform well here,” Harnett said. “We’re hoping to have an all-American final in the women’s draw, and it’s looking good for them. They both played very well today.”
Action resumes Wednesday morning with Arnoult-Ritthaler playing Chile’s Maria Mardones on center court at 10:00 a.m. local time. Rydberg follows up on center court against Brazilian Mauricio Pomme. Verfuerth will take on Columbian Johana Martinez in the second match on Court 1, and will join Arnoult-Ritthaler to close down center court in women’s double’s versus Peru. Hinson and Rydberg will take on Argentina no earlier than 3:00 p.m.
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