It was sunny and warmer today here in Houston after a very chilly morning…it was about 32 when Susan and I warmed up at 8 am! I had so many layers on: 2 shirts (one long-sleeved), a down jacket, a fleece jacket, a down vest and a wind jacket…and a scarf and blanket and I was still freezing for hours after I watched Susan play her singles semi for while. But it was calmer and sunny and as the day went on it became a nice one.

In the 35s, Nancy Hilliard edged #4 seed Gee Gee Garvin 62 75. Garvin also fell in doubles (with Carolina Blouin) to Burris/Hess, in three long sets.

In the 45s, the top seeds reached the singles and doubles final; while Julie Cass cruised to a win over Shelly Works, Jolene Watanabe had her hands full with Mary Dineen. Dineen won the 2nd set but Jolene won the match. In doubles, Watanabe/Mary Dailey reached the final with a tight two-setter against Burris/Morris.

The 55s final will be a repeat of the last 3, ie Diane Barker and Susan Wright. Each lost only 3 games today; Barker took out Ann Pellow while Wright ended unseeded Cindy Johnson’s run.

The doubles final was the match of the day…Nichols/Wright seemed headed towards a straight set win over Kathy Vick/Kim Steinmetz when the latter team woke up and refused to go quietly…the top seeds led 64 52, serving and had four match points…Vick/Steinmetz staved them off and won five straight games to level the match at a set apiece. Nichols/Wright again went up 52, and at 53 had two more match points…next thing it was a tiebreak…Vick/Steinmetz got their first match point at 65; Nichols/Wright had one at 76 and finally closed out the match 97 in the third set tiebreak after 3 hours…whew…..Kim Lackey/Pellow took the bronze.

In the 65s, the 3rd and 4th seeds will contest the final; Anne Guerrant took out defending champion Martha Downing 62 62 while Kerry Young beat Brenda Carter in straight sets. Downing/Bennett play Bramlette/Barnes in the doubles final, a meeting of the top 2 seeds.

Lyn Little reached her first clay final with a comprehensive win over #2 seed Dori deVries. She faces top seed Donna Fales who beat Ria Graham 60 60. Little/Giacomini face Devries/King in the doubles final.