It was a breezy cool day in Palm Beach Gardens, temps in the 60s with moderate winds. All the Floridians were chilly and sporting long pants, jackets and vests!
I played Diane Barker and lost to her for about the 50th time (I have lost track), but played pretty well, losing 46 64 62…Diane reined in her errors and upped the execution of her winners as the match went on….once she saw the finish line she was very very good. Erin Boynton beat her doubles partner Fran Chandler for the second time in a row, this time 64 63. I didn’t see any of the match, but Boynton has been rapidly improving…she must have played well as Fran doesn’t give her opponents any free points.
In doubles, Susan was outstanding. We beat Fran and Erin 61 76 (3)…we were up 4-1 in the second before our opponents mounted a determined comeback, cutting back on errors and hitting more winners. They had a set point at 65 which Susan saved with a perfect lob…and on match point Susan hit two lines. It was a good match. Pat Purcell and Cheryl Hicks took third.
Susan fell in the 50s final to a very good player, Tisha Kilburn..Kilburn was the top seed and the 50 clay doubles champion in 2022. Kilburn also won 40 doubles with Eva Koksalova.
In the 70s, Judy Dixon ended Lil Peltz-Petow run, but Peltz-Petow/Jan Kirkland-Cochran won the doubles over Dixon/Brenda Carter. Carter beat Sue Bramlette to finish third in singles. 3/4 in doubles was not posted.
Bryn Auld won the 40 singles which was a RR; Karin Duplessis finished second.
Kristen Bleakley won the 30 singles & doubles (with Vikki Dudley).
Dudley also won the 50 doubles with Renee Broxson over Susan Love/Michelle Williams.