Alice Marble Cup Team Defeats Brazil; USA M60 Advance on Sunday in Portugal; USA Goes 6/0 on Day 1

Lisbon, Portugal

Today was the start of the ITF Seniors World Team Championships. We played Brazil today, starting at 9:30. I played #2 singles and won 60 60; Diane played #1 and won by the same score and Susan Wright/Robin Harris played flawlessly in doubles to complete the win.

After we won our tie, we wandered over to the men’s 60 match (on court 24 of 24). They had started the day at a deficit, dropping #2 singles (Ross Persons) but Mark Vines won at #1 fairly comfortably (dropping 4 games) and Danny Waldman/Mike Tammen played great doubles to win the match 62 62.

We then went to watch Tracy Houk play #1 singles for the USA women’s 55 team. Vicki Buholz won at #2 singles, but Tracy was in a dogfight…which 4 hours and 50 minutes later she lost so it came down to the doubles, at which time we left. The USA won the doubles, 60 36 63, with Vicki Buholz and Mary Dailey taking the doubles point.

On our way out we saw the USA men’s 55 take on Portugal on the Center Court. It was a very noisy, pro Portugal crowd watching. Stu Saiki won at #2 singles and rookie Cup player Leo Young, playing his first ever Cup match was put in at #1 singles. He dropped the first set 64, then we had to leave. However, the USA team did win the tie 2-1, winning the doubles point.

The Women’s 50s won 3/0 in Estoril, dropping only four games. The USA Men’s 50s won 3/0 over Bolivia. Both teams are off tomorrow.

Susan, Robin and I walked up the Park Eduardo VII to the bridge, which had a fantastic view over Lisbon to the sea, with a maze below the bridge leading to buildings, then to the sea.

We then walked to the El Corte Ingles and went to the grocery store of course. That one is huge. I got fresh squid and cooked it for dinner…along with salmon for the less adventurous.

We have the day off and will practice early tomorrow. Tuesday we take on Spain.

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