There was more good tennis today after I went back to the club after lunch. I watched Susan Wright (Colorado) play last year’s world champion in the 50s, Patricia Medrado from Brazil. Patricia is a former touring pro and is still a fantastic player. She and Susan hit the ball so hard the balls compressed and went flat. They had long rallies and hard hitting rallies, dropshots (from Patricia), net play (from Susan) and all in all it was a good, 90 minute match…lost 61 60 by Susan. I watched one game that lasted a good 20 minutes, before I had to go check in for doubles. Diane Fishburne (SC) beat a good Aussie player who had taken out the 8th seed the day before. She faces Betty Michel tomorrow, Betty upset the #2 seed.

My Aussie partner, Lyn Mortimer and I played our first match together and played well to beat So. African Sheila Stewart and French player Bridgitte Cadoret in a truly international match…4 continents! We won 60 61. We played on center court which is the nicest court I’ve played on here, and it rained some during the match which kept the court in good shape, it was fun to play on. Tina Karwasky (California) and Mary Ginnard (Ft Lauderdale) were in a dogfight in doubles against the Dutch pair, Nora Blom and Annalies Van der Zweep in 55 doubles when I finished doubles. They lost the first set 64 and were just finishing up winning the second 63 when I sat down to watch them and Egan Adams (Palmetto) and Danny Waldman (Maryland) in the 50 doubles. Egan and Danny were playing a Mexican pairing and the quality of the doubles was amazing, fantastic rallies…volleys, lobs, touch slice angles, this match had it all. Danny and Egan squeaked it out 64 76 (8). Mary and Tina won too, 63 in the third after overcoming a 1-3 deficit.

In other afternoon play: Waldman advanced to the 55 singles semis along with Fred Robinson (NC). Mario Tabares and Morgan Shephard (NorCal) reached the men’s 40 semis in singles and Morgan reached the doubles final; Fred Robinson reached the 55 singles semis and the semis in doubles with Tom Smith.

Tomorrow the women’s 35, 40 & 45 doubles are being played…all involve at least one USA team; the 45 doubles final features Mary Dailey from Delray Beach and Fran Chanlder, (TN).

I play singles and doubles tomorrow, 10 am and 2:30 pm. For all results, updated during the day, click here. 

Photos below of Lyn Mortimer, Sheila Stewart and Bridgitte Cadoret at left below; bottom, Susan Wright;’