The match of the day wasn’t a main draw match, it was the quarterfinal loser’s consolation match between Leslie Murveit and Rita Giles in the 60s. Rita took the first set and Leslie the second. A match tiebreak was played in lieu of a third set (a good thing as the winner had another singles match a couple of hours later). At 8-8 in the tiebreak, a rally ensued that lasted more than 180 hits (Debbie Burgess, Leslie’s doubles partner started counting mid-rally. Leslie finally won the point when Rita erred in the net and she won the next point too…what a way to start the day! Leslie finished 5th after beating Kathy Foulk 64 64 in the next round.

The 80s doubles final was interrupted by rain last night with Inge Weber/Judy Smith leading 3-1 in the third over Dori DeVries/Carol Wood. Smith/Weber won the match 62 in the third to take the gold in the 80s.

Brenda Carter beat up on her doubles partner, Betty Wachob, winning 61 64, then combined with her to win a tough three set doubles match over Lee Delfausse/Sue Kimball 64 in the third. Get used to Brenda and Betty ending up in the winners’ circle this year, it’s Brenda’s first year in the division. Cathie Anderson took the bronze in singles and Ann Hunt/Judy Louie won the doubles bronze.

I won the 60 singles and doubles, beating Tina Karwasky in a match that was much closer than the score would indicate, particularly in the second set where most of the games went to deuce more than once. But I won 61 61. Pat Purcell and I were a yin/yang team that worked (she was all over the net and I was all over the baseline). We beat Karwasky/Jan Kirkland-Cochran 63 64. I didn’t hit all that many volleys but did hit one to win the match! Sherri Bronson/Foulk won the doubles bronze. Wendy McColskey took the singles bronze with a 62 64 win over Bronson (and hit a net cord winner on match point…ouch or Yes! depending on your point of view).

This tournament provides free beer and powerade to participants; the cans and bottles are in big coolers around the grounds. We were playing doubles next to the club pro and he had an alcohol fueled fan club cheering for him for the first set of the match. It was pretty energizing and funny, albeit distracting.

Hugh Thomson warmed me up for my semis and final (and I warmed him up for his first round and QF matches…he won too). Thanks Hugh for the great warm ups!

The men’s tournament runs through Sunday, and with a weekend coming up and more free beer, it’s bound to have a lively atmosphere. Thanks to Ed Gaskell and his crew for a fun event.

Women’s results/draws: http://m.tennislink.usta.com/TournamentHome/tournament.aspx?t=178299

Men’s results/draws: http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=175808#&&s=8Results0