Today was quarterfinal day for the Women’s National 60/70s and semifinal day for the 80s.

There weren’t any upsets in the women’s 60s but it wasn’t for lack of trying by Pat Purcell, who came oh so close to upsetting #4 seeded Sherri Bronson. It was definitely the match of the day and the players laid it all out on the court. I played my match and after reporting my score and so on, learned that Pat and Sherri were still on the court. Onlookers told me Sherri had won the first set and Pat was up 54 in the second. Pat won the set and then the meat of the match began. Pat constantly attacked, serving and volleying, chipping and charging, and Sherri countered with some brilliant backhand passing shots and lobs on the line and occasional forays to the net. It was hot and muggy today and the heat was sapping, but both women covered lots of ground. (Both had step trackers on…Pat had about two times as many steps as Sherri!). Sherri lost the first game of the set but was down 0-40 in each of the next two games and won them both. Nonetheless, Pat served for the set at 5/4 but the set ended in a tiebreak won 7-1 by Sherri. It was a 3+ hour battle.

Tina Karwasky beat Leslie Murveit 60 60 and Wendy McColskey ousted Kathy Foulk 63 63. I beat Rita Giles 60 60; the first set was a battle despite the score though and I had more steps in that match than Sherri had in hers.

In doubles, Pat recovered and played brilliantly against Murveit and Debbie Burgess. We won 61 61. Karwasky/Jan Kirkland/Cochrand and Bronson/Foulk advanced to the semis. However, the #4 seeds, Rita Rector/Julie David fell to a San Diego team, Susan Davis/Yoko Anderson in three sets. The SD players are always tough because they play so many tough local leagues all year long. Yoko said she was playing on two different ones. Rita just said that Yoko lobbed great and had a wonderful backhand.

In the 70s, Leslie Pixley, the #3 seed,  fell to giant slayer Sue Kimball (she upset Carol Clay earlier this year). Brenda Carter, Betty Wachob and Cathie Anderson reached the semis with straight set wins.

In the 70 doubles there was a lot of drama, other than for the top seeds, Carter/Wachob. #3 seeds, Cathie Anderson/Carolann Castell fell in a tight 2-setter to Ann Hunt/Judy Louie. #4 seeds, Sherri Ploor/Elizabeth Barnhill edged Retsy Wilson/Cammy Johnson 26 76 (5) 62. The #2 seeds, Lee Delfausse/Kimball, had a slow start but a fast finish, beating Peggy Andry/Andy Polisky 16 75 60.

There was no drama in the 80s. Inge Weber and Dori deVries (who both turn 80 in December) easily advanced to the final. DeVries/Carol Wood and Weber/Judy Smith play for the doubles gold tomorrow.

Women’s Cat I Draws &  Results and New Times: http://m.tennislink.usta.com/TournamentHome/tournament.aspx?t=178299

The men’s tournament got underway today though it was cut short by rain (everyone, men and women check your times, they’ve changed since this afternoon!).

Men’s draws & results (and new times): http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=175808#&&s=7Draws21

I ran into several guys I’ve known from teams and tournaments. Here’s Alex Behar who will be playing on the men’s 55, Austria Cup, in Finland.