There were a lot of closely contested matches today at the BallenIsles Country Club. I had one of them a three hour plus affair against Sue Webb from Tennessee via England. I won 63 46 64 and no lead was safe…Sue rallied from 15 down in the third (and match point) to nearly level the set before I finally edged her. It was a very good battle and she certainly has a killer drop shot. Speaking of killer drop shots, Fran Chandler, also from Tennessee is my opponent tomorrow. She beat Susan Boyer 63 63 in a much shorter match.

Webb and Chandler easily won the doubles. Webb is a good singles player, but in doubles she’s just amazing.

In the 60s, Carol Clay had a long tough battle with Peg Machoian, the 2nd seed and finally won 76 16 76. She plays Kerry Young who has barely lost games this week. However in doubles Young/Margie Cooper were upset by the accomplished doubles team of Lil Peltz-Petow and Jan Kirkland-Cochran. They take on Charleen Hillebrand/Trish Faulker, 3 set winners over Clay/Ellen Goodman, in the final.

Charleen Hillebrand plays Sheila Weinstock in the 70s final. Weinstock withstood a tough test by Lee Delfausse to advance in three sets. However Delfausse/Jane Pang turned the tables in the doubles final, beating Weinstock/Ann Hunt to win the title.

Rosie Asch took the singles and doubles titles in the 80s but not easily, needed three sets to get past both Lucille Kyvallos and Jane Lutz. She and Maryann Plante won the doubles. The 80s players were all oohing and aaahing over Plante’s slice serve and Rosie was asking for a lesson from Maryann to learn that shot.

In the 40s, Vincenza Massaro easily won the sinlges over Daniela Esswein; in doubles Fleurian/Quentrec beat Massaro/Trish Riddell 62 64 in a top quality match.

In the 30s Riddell beat Sarah Ansboury 63 63.

The weather was beautiful today, light breeze and sunny, not to warm or cold, a SoCal type of day and I think tomorrow should be more of the same. Photos tomorrow or Monday.