Vesna McKenna had a knock-down drag-out match today against last year’s winner, Vasconcellas, from Brazil, a former tour player. Vesna won the first set, rallying from 3-5 down to win the first set. I had to leave when Vesna was serving at 3-4, 2nd set, to play my match. The set ended up in  a tiebreaker and Vesna led 6-4, but Vasconcellas rallied to win the set and force a third. There were a lot of Brazilians there cheering on their compatriot. Vesna went up 4-1 in the third and then Vasconcellas, who had been nursing a calf strain all week, called for a trainer (basically she was tired)…it worked, she won the next 2 games, but Vesna managed to win the next game. However, Vasconcellas rallied to win the third set 7-5. She’s a very good player as is McKenna…from what I saw, it was an excellent match and both played very well, very aggressively. The match lasted over 3 hours.

I played Marcella DeGregorio from Argentina and won 61 60, but it was a bit closer than that, lots of long rallies (but I did come to net some which made the difference), match lasted about 90 minutes I think. I play in the final Beatrice Villaverde who beat the #2 seed 60 60 (they seeded based on Argentinian rankings…except I guess for me, and there were a lot of upsets). Villaverde is a very complete player, and the final will be tough.

Vesna and I lost our doubles, she was tired, I had problems with sand in my eyes (and lost my dark glasses)…and our opponents played really well, one is in the 45 singles final and the 2 of them play a lot together.

Heide Orth is going for the top 60s ranking tomorrow…if she wins she’ll end the year #1 in the world in teh 65s and 60s. She’s playing very well.

Nanda Fischer is in the 65s final. She won easily today.

Isabelle Gemmel is in the 35s final tomorrow and we’re both playing at 11, so will warm up together tomorrow and give Vesna a day of rest!

Peter Nader from Austria is in the men’s 70 final.