Friday, Oct. 27: Manavgat, Turkey
Four of the 6 American teams in the semifinals here at Manavgat reached the final today. There was a significant weather change, with blustery winds creating havoc with ball placement all day. It was a tough day to play tennis.
The men’s 80s were the first team to reach the final, with both Tony Franco and Graydon Nichols scoring straight set wins over their Australian opponents. Bob Meyerdierks and Newton Meade finished up the 3-0 win by taking the doubles point in 3 sets. They play Austria, the top seeds, in the final.
The men’s 60s were next. Hugh Thompson used the wind instead of fighting it, and hit many brilliant drop shots in his straight set win over Michel Berges of France. Mike Beautyman had a very tough match at #1 singles, eventually falling in 3 sets to Francois Pierson 61 46 61. However Charlie Hoeveler and Dick Johnson played a superb doubles match, winning it in straight sets, over Pearson/patrice Beust 63 62, which sent the team to the final against Switzerland.
The men’s 70s also split their singles, with Herm Ahlers taking the #2 singles point against Hans Busch 62 62 and Gordon Davis falling at #1 singles, to Heinz Loeffler 67 63 62. That left it up to Bob Duesler/Jim Nelson who won the doubles point in 3 sets, winning the first 60, dropping the 2nd 64, then easing to a 61 win in the third. They play a tough Australian team led by Peter Froehlich.
The women’s 70s had a tough time reaching the final but finished strongly in the deciding doubles match. Burnette Herrick beat Shirley Brasher of Great Britain 60 62 at #2 singles. June Pearce moved beautifully and held off a 3rd set run of 4 games by deVries to edge Dori 64 46 64 at #1 singles. deVries/Mary Boswell then took the doubles point, rallying from a set down to win 62 in the third. It was so windy during the doubles, but after a tentative start (they dropped the first set 62), they found the middle, improved their court positioning and errors. They play France tomorrow.
The Queens Cup lost to Great Britain. Suzanne Ryerson struggled in the extremely windy conditions, but her opponent moved very well and used the wind well in her straight set win at #2 singles. Louise Russ started strongly against Rita Lauder, but Lauder, a very smart player, adapted to the wind, mixed up drop shots, drives and net approaches thoughtfully and won 63 in the third. They have a rematch with Canada tomorrow, to decide 3rd place.
The Godfree Cup, the 65s, beat Switzerland quickly to advance to the 5/6 playoff against Japan.