The 60/70/80 Clay Courts began today in Baton Rouge (red stick), Louisiana. I had a bye, but warmed up my doubles partner, Susan Wright, then watched the play around the club (which boasts 20 clay courts).

There were no upsets all day in singles, but there were some very good matches around the grounds. In the 80s, Kathy Langer gave top seed Dori DeVries a scare, taking the second set before succumbing 63 in the third. It was a tough first round for both players. Roz King, Carol Wood and Burnett Herrick advanced in straight sets. The 80s ladies are all having a house party this week…Carol Wood et al arranged for an airbnb house for them and they are playing each other then sharing a room! Pretty cool I think.

In the 70s, the seeds all had byes. Ann Eaton though edged Ellen Goodman in three sets.

Frances O’Sullivan took the first set from #4 seed Bunny (Miller) Allare before Allare rallied to win the final sets 63 62. The match finished well before the match won by  Rita Giles over  Ginny Beneke (64 62). That match featured long rallies and impressive running by both players. However, Rita’s higher shot tolerance, and experience playing nationals showed as the match wore on. Susan won handily and the balls coming off her racquet were…professional grade.

The doubles started at 2pm, as some players were enjoying lunch,  but the rain started at 2:30. Matches resumed at 3:30…the rain, this time as a  really intense thunderstorm resumed around 4:30 and play is cancelled for the day (or so I assume..noting posted yet). Before the rain started the second time, Vicky Nagy and Mary Jackson from Hilton Head upset the #4 seeds, Kandy Chain and Julie David 63 61. Another good match going on was between Mary Morgan/O’Sullivan and Sally Smith/Janet Mosely the #4 seeds. They were early in the third set when the skies opened up. The rain eventually went away for a while (rain ceding to a rainbow), but now it’s raining again! UPDATE: Play definitely cancelled for today, check website for new start times for doubles tomorrow.

Tomorrow I play Margy Petit in singles; Susan plays Sally Smith. Our doubles opponents were at 3/2 in the 2nd set when we left so have to finish later tonight or tomorrow.

Draws are here: 80 Clay, Bocage CC, Baton Rouge, LA April 17-23

Photos are here: https://goo.gl/photos/qLNMdEqrZjAZCnX79