Joe Bachmann and Ivo Barbic, the top and 5th seeds respectively (second seeded Alan Carter having defaulted to Barbic in the quarters) staged an epic battle in the final of the 70 Indoors in Houston last week. Bachmann rallied from a set down to force a third set, which went the distance, finally won 8-6 in the tiebreak. Bob Quall took the bronze by default over Del Campbell.
The 70 doubles was won by Tom Anderson/Thomas Brunkow over Bachmann/Campbell 61 32 ret, injury.
In the 75s, Herm Ahlers and Bob Duesler were both playing their first 75s national and were seeded 1 and 2 respectively. Lester Sack was the 3rd seed and Buddy Lomax the 4th seed. Larry Sears was unseeded, but took out Lomax and then had a very close match with Ahlers, falling 76 75. Duesler and Sack battled for three sets before Sack prevailed 61 26 63. Sack was no match for Ahlers though in the final, which Ahlers won 60 62. It’s an interesting matchup, as Ahlers is a good foot taller than Sack and a serve/volley player, while Sack is more of a counterpuncher, who loves clay. Duesler took the bronze by default.
In the 75 doubles, Duesler and Jim Nelson, reunited after playing for a year in different age divisions, beat John Powless/Dick Doss 76 64.