The 40 and 50 clay courts began today. The weather was gorgeous, California-like actually (there were a few clouds though).

 

Hyacinthe Yorke, the 4th seed in the 40’s was pushed hard by Michelle (dePalmer) Williams in the 2nd set, but prevailed 61 76. Williams hadn’t played a tournament for over 20 years according to her doubles partner Jan Kirkland-Cochran, but got better with each game played.

 

Sue Boyer frustrated Sally Becker, a SoCal hard court player. They had long games and Becker, a tall lefty really attacked and served aggressively, but Boyer calmly retrieved, lobbed and passed her way to a straight set win. She faces Yorke next.

 

Fran Chandler played flawlessly in beating Anna Hayden Zimmerman. The points were terrific, but Fran never missed and was aggressive with her groundies when she had the chance to attack. She plays Tiina Smith for the 4th time this year. Smith beat Stacey Williams in a long 2 set match which was closer than the 61 63 score indicated.

 

Ellen Markowitz beat Rene Broxson handily. They had a lot of long points, but Ellen was very steady and pushed Broxson behind the baseline repeatedly during the match. She plays Renata Marcinkowska next.

 

Myke Bodish, who has been practicing for a week with Sherri Bronson (which is like 3 weeks with anyone else!) plays Marianna Hollman in the remaining quarter.

 

In the 50’s, no seeds were in action. Interesting matches were Janice Simpson and Louvenia Armstrong, won 76 75 by Simpson, and Lisa Laurie and Miriam Morey, won by Morey in a very long 2 setter 62 64 (well over 2 hours long).

 

Sue Sprague from San Diego took the circuitous route to Pensacola, flying from San Diego to Palm Springs to Orlando to Tampa, then driving (about 7 hours) to Pensacola…but managed a win nonetheless over Polly Crane today.

 

Here’s the link to the draws. The doubles begins tomorrow and the quarters of the 40’s and round of 16 of the 50’s will be played as well.