Marian Metola from Argentina adapted well to the hard courts of California, and took out the 2010 bronze ball winner and top seed, Mariana Hollman in the quarters of the 45s, mixing up consistent baseline play with forays to the net according to onlookers.
The marathon match of the 45s, featuring rallies in excess of 70 shots (!) belonged to Tracy Houk and Tamara Simone. Houk finally won the battle after 3 1/2 hours and faces Shelly Works in the final. Houk says she is coming to the net in that one. In doubles, the 4th seeds, Works and Jan Kirkand-Cochran fell in 3 sets to Shelly Stillman-Scott, one of the pros at Chamisal and Kathleen Chassion.
In the 35s, both first round matches (QF) went the distance, with Michiyo Kato and Michal Bareket (all the way from Israel) prevailing.
The 55s stayed true to form, with all seeds advancing the the semis, though the 3rd seeded doubles team of Kirkalnd-Cochran and Chris Ramsower-Pearlstein were pushed to a third set before prevailing against Marcia Hamburg/Bonnie Tetrick. I beat Donna Drosner, and my doubles partner, Tracy Viebrock, fell to Mary Ginnard. I play Mary tomorrow. In doubles we play Drosner/Debbie Burgess, the #4 seeds. We beat Mary Firek and Yolanda Therrien in doubles today.
The top seed in the 65s, Brenda Carter, had a scare from her doubles partner, losing the first set against Anne Russ before winning the final sets 1,2.
In the 75s, Burnett Herrick upset Carol Wood 75 76, then combined with Wood to edge Marjorie Kohler/Ernestine Saunders 75 in the third. Meanwhile, Dori deVries won her singles and doubles matches without dropping a game…she played a total of 36 fewer games than her opponent in singles and doubles tomorrow, Herrick!
In the 85s, Marion Tyrell upset the # 1 seeded Elaine Mason 57 62 62 to reach the semis. CORRECTION: MASON BEAT TYRELL 57 62 62!!!! THE WRONG WINNER WAS POSTED YESTERDAY.
There was a party with music tonight and barbecued chicken and beef. It was very nice.
Draws: http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/draws/TournamentDraws.aspx?T=95534