It was cold and wintry here today, in the low 40s and raining as I drove down to the courts to warm up. I was actually happy to be going indoors to play tennis!

After Susan and I warmed up I played Sheila Chiricosta, a good Midwestern player who beat the #3 Aussie at the World Championships a few weeks ago. I had a good warm up and a good start and won 61 61, though we had some long rallies and a few long games. Tomorrow I play Kim Zebot from Laguna Beach in SoCal for the third time this year, in four tournaments. Kim beat Mary Firek 60 ret inj. Unfortunately Mary hurt her foot or ankle yesterday in her doubles match (her opponents and doubles partner all heard a “pop”) in that match, though she finished it. Today was another story, she really couldn’t move on the court.

Susan played Anne Lowry from Oakland, CA in NorCal and lost the first game then reeled off the next 12. She plays Kathy Vick from Lubbock, TX tomorrow, their first meeting in several years. Kathy beat Kim Lackey, another NorCal player 62 63 today.

After lunch and a break, where we watched some exciting doubles in the 35s, we played Donna Drosner and Debbie Burgess, who took out Mary Firek and Chiricosta yesterday in three sets. We played well and beat Donna and Debbie 60 61. Tomorrow we will play Kim Steinmetz/Vick in the doubles final. They beat Lowry/Lackey 64 61.

in other action, all the 45s seeds advanced easily in singles. Shelly Works plays the #4 seed, a local player, Linda Gruber and Anna Zimmermann, #3 seed, faces the top seed and current world 45 singles champion Julie Cass.

In 45 doubles, which is a round robin, Cass/Alissa Finerman were flawless in beating Jami Patterson/Zimmermann. #2 seeded Shelly Works/Julie Ogborne won too.

In the 35s, there were only six singles players to begin with and two have withdrawn. The seeds, Bolotova and Diehl, play tomorrow; neither has lost a match thus far.

In doubles, there were four teams and the top 2 seeds play for gold tomorrow: Ogborne/Patterson and Bolotova/Diehl; Ogborne/Patterson had a really good match today with Tammy Mitchell and Cathy Bloedorn, winning it 36 75 61. Their points were long and interesting, lots of volleys, lobs, saves and winners.

Draws: http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=138231