In La Jolla the sun came out and on a cool breezy day the titles were decided and the gold balls awarded in all age divisions.
Ros Nideffer beat Fran Chandler to win the 50s for the third time in four years. She just smacks the ball and follows it up with great volleys, as befits a multiple doubles Grand Slam champion.
In 50 doubles, Lisa Namu/Judy Newman beat defending champions Ellie Hammargren/Jennifer Lyons in three sets. Erika Smith/Mary Dailey won the doubles bronze.
In the 60s, Tina edged me 36 76 75 and held off one match point in the third set to win her fourth straight title here. The match lasted over three hours and believe me there was a lot of running during that match. Tina, who was off her game a bit, changed tactics several times during the match. Rita Giles won the bronze by default over an injured Martha Downing.
In doubles however, Una Davis played inspired tennis and Una and I won the doubles 60 64 over Tina and Jan Kirkland-Cochran. Una dominated the middle of the court, she hit awesome volleys all match long. It was her first senior gold ball, only because she hasn’t played many senior events.
In the 70s, Betty Wachob edged Cathie Anderson in three sets, despite having suffered a fall on the court on Thursday which ended with a face plant (and a nice black eye). Charleen Hillebrand won the bronze with a straight set win over Peggy Andry.
Andry didn’t go home empty handed though…she and Jane Pang won the doubles over Carolann Castell/Judy Louie while Anderson/Wachob placed third with a straight set win over Ann Hunt/Sheila Weinstock.
Burnett Herrick edged Dorothy Matthiessen in three sets to win the 80s singles crown and Judith Smith beat Mary John Lynch to place third. In doubles, Buffington/Winans take on Herrick/Smith in the doubles final tomorrow.
Cathie Hall won the 90 singles and doubles (with Elaine Mason).
All results; http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=153474#&&s=8Results0
Meanwhile, in Homewood, IL:
Susan Wright will face Kathy Vick in the 55 singles final and also in the doubles final (Susan is playing with Tracey Thompson, Kathy with Kim Steinmetz.
In the 45s, the final is between Jolene Watanabe and Julie Cass and the doubles is Cass/Alissa Finerman vs Julie Ogborne/Shelly Works.
In the 35s, Erin Nevin (who is also a semifinalist in the 45s!) will face Yulia Bolotova, the defending champion, in the final. Bolotova/Ogborne won the three team round robin in women’s 35 doubles.
All draws/results: http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=156764#&&s=7Draws6