March 7, 2019

Miami Beach…March…what a nice place to be while the North is freezing and the West is raining! Even though the weather has been variable this week, from 90 on Monday to highs around 70 on Wednesday, it’s a nice place for a winter tournament.

The entries, particularly for the women, weren’t as large as expected but there are enough foreign players, especially from South America and Canada, to give the tournament an international vibe.

On check in we received a (men’s) t-shirt (courtesy of Lucky in Love), a towel, sunglasses and a tote bag.

I played Suzanne Siegler yesterday in the 60 singles round robin and won. Today Dagmar Sperneder of Austria beat Suzanne 61 64 so we play tomorrow for the title. In the 50s, Jenny Klitch is the top seed, and won yesterday to advance to the semis to be played tomorrow. She’s the only American left in the draw, along with two So American players and an Aussie. (Miami is a nice place to be when it’s winter in the Southern Hemisphere). Shelly Works is the 2nd seed and Simona Vasconcellos is the top seed in the 55s. Vasconcellos plays an intriguing match against Fran Chandler in the semis. Fran won their only prior meeting in three sets. Works, who arrived Monday, is looking forward to playing her first match tomorrow…she got a default today and plays fellow Texan Gayle Prejean tomorrow. Donna Fales and Toni Novack are playing 70s., though Toni lost her first match in the four player round robin. Kaysie Smashey, who was a singles finalist at the world championships in November here, leads the 35s seeds while another Texan, Nancy Hilliard, is the top seed in the 45s.

The younger men’s draws were pretty large, and there are a lot of familiar names. 2014 world champion Eoin Collins leads the men’s 50; Michael Halperin is the top seed in men’s 40s; Phillips Leblanc is the Men’s 45 top seed; Jimmy Parker leads the 75s; Achim Gass and Denis Dumas are the top 55 seeds; Joaquin Berner and Stu Saiki top the 60 seeds; Fritz Raijmakers of the Netherlands is the 65 #1 seed. Bruce Barrett was the top 70 seed but was injured in his first match; Correction:the incorrect winner was reported and Barrett in fact WON by retirement. (His opponent was in a car accident). Michael Beautyman is the 2nd seed.

There was a fantastic player party on Wednesday night. Everyone LOVED the food. (Even Fran Chandler!). There was a pasta bar (everything from fettuccine to butternut squash ravioli to cheese tortellini plus toppings of veggies, chicken, shrimp, cheese and three sauces); a sushi bar, poke bowls, great hors d’oeurves, and a wonderful desserts, (brownies with ice cream; yummy chocolate chip cookies and more). The location is right on the beach.

I also took a walk along the boardwalk (some sketchy hotels, which apparently will make room for new buildings soon) but the life guard stations were cool!

Draws are here.

Photos are here.