The last singles seed in the 35s fell today in the semis; Amy Alcini, the top seed, retired down 63 32 to Simone Bruetting (hurt calf); Simone will face Jill Vanderkool in the final. In doubles, Joanne Russell played way down into the 35s and played excellent doubles, combining with Julie Ogborne to oust Alcini/Mary Beth Williams 62 64 and win the gold.
In the 45s, Anna Zimmerman beat Shelly Works for the second time this year, edging her 76 in the third in the semis. The two are good friends and actually warmed up together before playing the match. Gretchen Magers and Jennifer Lyons warmed up for their singles match by playing the doubles final. They upset the world champions, Alissa Finerman/Erika Smith 61 64. Gretchen then beat Jennifer 62 64. Gretchen said of her doubles partner that she had an uncanny ability to keep the ball low…Gretchen has an uncanny ability to see where the ball is going before her opponent even knows where she’s hitting it.
In the 55s, Susan Wright beat Leslie Murveit 60 62 and the match was done before Kim Jones and I finished the first set. I won the battle this time 76 (1) 62, and Pat Purcell gets an assist for tiring Kim out the day before in their 3 sets match. In doubles, Russell and Jan Kirkland-Cochran beat Murveit/Purcell, the defending champions 75 62 (Pat said after the first set, Russell was everywhere on the court) and Susan and I beat Jones/Barbara Hess.
Ros Nideffer added the 50 Hard Court title to her 50 singles world championship title today, beating Tracy Houk 61 63. Fran Chandler too third, beating Mariana Hollman 60 63. Houk however did win a gold ball today, taking the doubles title with Lisa Naumu (Seeman) over Tracey Thompson/Robin Harris 63 64. Chandler/Myke Loomis took the bronze.
In the 60s, Tina Karwasky is half way to a Gold Slam and the toughest tasks are behind her (the clay). She lost 5 games during the tournament and 4 were in the final against her doubles partner, Mary Ginnard, whom she beat 62 62. They had a much tougher task in doubles, edging Marcia Hamburg/Sue Morgan 64 75.
Cathie Anderson beat Charleen HIllebrand for the second time this year, this time in a final, 62 63, to win the 70 singles title. Hillebrand and Suella Steel scored the gold balls though in the doubles, beating Sally Huss and Anita Palmer 63 64. Steel also took the singles bronze with a come from behind win over Lurline Fujii.
Margaret Canby beat Louise Russ for the 80 singles title…I believe it was her first singles gold ball. She beat the top 2 seeds to take the title. Jane Lutz/Angie Ray cruised to the doubles title, beating Russ/Janet Hubbard in the final. Canby/Carol Cofer took the bronze.
Dodo Cheney won her 396th gold ball in the 90 doubles, teaming with 90s newcomer Betty Cookson to win the title in three sets. In singles, Anita Claeboe, playing her first tournament, plays for the gold against Lovie Beard of Texas tomorrow.