The 41st iteration of the National Senior Women’s Clay Court Championships (NSWCCC) began today under sunny skies and warm (low 80s) conditions.

All the players were in action in the 65s. The seeds dominated today…not one lost more than two games a set…no one lost more than a game a set. (Hopefully I won’t strain my shoulder patting myself on the back…I seed the 65s).

Kim Cashman was the only seed in action in the 45s..she won 60 60 (trying to keep up with the 65s seeds no doubt).

There was a pair of significant upsets though in the 55s….Martha Downing, the #2 seed, and bronze ball winner here last year, fell in the first round in three sets to Janet Mosely, a tough clay court player who didn’t play a national last year. She ground Downing down…Martha was upbeat after the match…she said she wanted time on the clay and match play prior to the 60 clay courts and she had three plus hours of it today. Sue Bramlette, tournament director, hostess, multitasker….fell to the tough Pat Purcell, playing her first 55s national, 62 63. Purcell is a tough all court player who had a close three set match with Sherri Bronson last year in Scottsdale…someone to watch. The other seeds advanced without incident. I play Mary Morgan today, who edged Debbie Burgess 76 46 62.

No seeds played in the 75s today, but Margaret Canby took three sets to get past Barbara Milliken.

The 85s and 35s haven’t started play yet.

Tomorrow is the annual NSWTA meeting at 5pm. Brenda Carter will finish her term as president and Sheila Weinstock will take over (technically there’s an election…but the odds of there being someone who wants to run against the nominating committee’s pick are slimmer than the odds of winning the lottery).

Tracy Viebrock and I play Burgess/B’Ann Gabelt tomorrow too…

Here are a few photos from Sunday night. I will try and take a few more later in the week.