Into the Semis at 60 Clay: Day 3 at the USTA Level 1 Women’s 40-80 Clay Courts (ITF 1000)

Draws are here.

On yet another boringly warm and sunny Florida winter day (88 degrees, no clouds, mild breeze), play continued in Palm Beach Gardens with main draw quarters and semis taking place in various divisions.

In the 50s, the final is set between the top two seeds, Lisa Bonder-Kerkorian (a tall and smooth player) and Tisha Kilburn (a bowl full of energy on the court)…should be a good one. Lisa won 60 60 over Daniela Esswein while Tisha took three sets to beat Vincenza Massaro.

Kilburn reached the doubles final too, with Gail Gibson (who was mixing in some wicked underhanded first serves, along with traditional overhanded serves). They play Massaro and Ann Clark, who overcame a slow start to beat #2 seeded Mariana Hollman/Stacy Williams 16 64 10-3,

In the 60s, Fran Chandler advanced 64 62 over Shelly Works; I beat Ann Young 63 64 in just under 2.5 hours; Susan Wright upset #4 Erin Boynton 64 62 and played fabulously. #2 Vicki Buholz had a huge tussle with fellow Texan Terri Thyssen, who has improved a lot…Vicki won 67 (8) 61 64 and said that Thyssen just went for her shots and they all went in! I play Fran (again) and Vicki plays Susan tomorrow, 9am sharp.

In doubles there were a couple of upsets. However, we weren’t one of them…we beat Thyssen and Marianne Caplan 61 62; top seeded Buholz/Gayle Prejean also won comfortably. #3 seeded Anne Frautschi/Stephanie Tharpe were upset by Susan Love/Michelle Williams 75 26 10-6 and #4 seeded Rainy Miller/Shelly Works lost 60 63 to Williams/Hollman.

Outfit of the day…

Tina Karwasky Lisa Culp in one of the 70s semis while Judy Dixon upset #2 seeded Wendy McColskey in three sets. The 70 doubles is a series of three round robins; the winners of each group are Karwasky/Jan Kirkland-Cochran; Lil Peltz-Petow/Culp and Wendy/Dale McColskey.

Cathie Anderson and Frances Dickenson are in the 80s final and are undefeated in the 80s doubles round robin.

Cathie Anderson, Frances Dickenson, Kris McDonald and Margaret Lumia

The 40s singles and doubles are round robins; for singles, two groups, one of 3 and one of 4 players; there are 4 teams in the doubles. Final matches are tomorrow.

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