The American players who stayed to play the individual world championships have adapted well to the slow red clay and are starring in the second week.
Jenny Klitch (W55) beat the #2 seed, Lisa Prechtel from the Netherlands 46 62 62 in the semis today. The singles final is later in the week but Klitch will be busy playing the 50 doubles semis (with Andrea Rice) and 55 mixed semis (with Tom Coulton) tomorrow.
Vicki Buholz edged Italian Tortorella (who upset Susan Wright yesterday) 76 63 to reach the final against Helga Nauck. Nauck beat American Fran Chandler 62 26 63, a much closer match than they had in the team final last week. Buholz combined with Gayle Prejean (USA) to win the 55 doubles semis by the closest of margins, 36 76(6) 14-12! Chandler/Wright won their doubles semis pretty easily 62 62 but face a tough team in the final (Nauck and Boerocecz).
In men’s action, Tom Coulton is also in the semis of 55 doubles with Anders Jarryd. They seem to be breaking their opponents, winning the round of 16 1/0 ret. and the quarters 62 41ret…so he should have plenty of energy for 55 mixed tomorrow!
Stu Saiki, who was a late addition to the men’s 60s team has gone the furthest in singles, beating the #4 seed 63 61 to advance to the semis where he’ll face the #2 seed (who beat Mike Fedderly, USA 4/3 retired). Bill Moss played a terrific match against Jarryd and had two match points (on Jarryd’s serve) before falling 60 36 75. Fedderly and Tammen are in the doubles semis while Saiki/Alex Pier lost in the quarters today.
Shannon Gordon-Carney plays mixed semis today and is in the singles consolation semis of 60s.
Gayle Prejean is in the 55 singles consolation semis.
