Monday I played the round of 16 in singles and doubles. In singles I played Zdenka Koch from Switzerland, who clearly had played tennis for a long time, nice strokes, lefty, good court sense and an excellent return of serve. I moved better though, and played well when it mattered to win 60 63. She had a vociferous cheering section who really wanted to get involved in the match.
Sabine Schmitz and I warmed up eventually at Tenis Club Aguait; we were to warm up at Son Besso, but the tournament cancelled the practice court in the morning…but we were able to purchase some time at Aguait which is nearby.
In doubles we played again at Tennis Son Besso in the late afternoon against a German/French combination, Susanne Rosenick-Peterson and Marie-Pierre Schneider (the French player). It was the first match Chris French and I had played together and it went well, we won 60 63. The second set was a good one, both Susanne and MP picked up their games and we had some scrambling points as one does on red clay. It was actually only one break of serve I think.
Today, Tuesday, I play at 9am weather permitting (there’s some thunder and lightning going on, or was a few minutes ago and there was some rain last night). We are also scheduled for doubles at noon.
Dan Waldman is here from the USA and has cruised into the R16 in M70 (he plays Andrew Stanley today); Max King and his German mixed partner upset the #2 seeds in 65 mixed; Ann Stanley was upset in W75 singles but advanced in mixed with Andrew; Greg Shephard had a back problem which caused him to withdraw from singles and then from mixed with Pam. Patricia Zerdan is here with Max and will be playing 50s next week. They are learning the geography of the Island and how long it actually takes to get from point A to point B even if it looks like a short distance on the map!