USA Goes 7/2 on Day 1 of the 2024 ITF Masters World Team Championships in Turkey

The USA won seven of the nine ties contested today in Turkey.

The USA Women’s 65 team beat Turkey 3/0, dropping only a game. I won at #2 singles, Susan Wright at #1 and Carolyn Lane/Anne Frautschi won the doubles point.

Other results:

M65 beat Ireland 3/0 behind the singles play of Chuck Kuhle (#2), Ross Hessler (#1) and doubles play of Hessler/Eric Lehto.
W70 beat Canada 3/0 behind the singles play of Tina Karwasky (#2), Una Davis (#1) and Betsy Kuhle/Jan Cochran (doubles)
M 70 lost to Netherlands 3/0 but it was close; Dennis Engelbrecht lost in 3 sets at #2; Norm Ashbrooke lost I straights at #1 and Danny Carlson/tom Smith lost in a match tiebreak in doubles.
W75 won 3/0 vs South Africa; Brenda Carter played #2, Judy Dixon #1 and Liane Bryson/Gwenda Ward played doubles.
M75 eked out a win over Belgium 3/0..the singles matches were close; All Yearwood won at #2, Michael Beautyman won at #1 in three sets (rallying from a set and two breaks down to win); Brent Bailey/Brian Cheny won the doubles.
W80 lost 2/1 to Australia; Carolann Castell won at #2 convincingly; Charleen Hillebrand lost at #1 and Castell/Sheila Weinstock lost the doubles point
M80 beat Canada 2/1; Jody Rush lost at #2 singles but Jimmy Parker came to the rescue, winning his singles and the deciding doubles (with Rush) by convincing scores.
W85 had a bye
M85 won 3/0, beating Candid behind the singles play of Willie Wolff at #2, Bob Quall at #1 and Jerald Hayes/Don Mathias in doubles.

After tennis our team went to eat lunch, then convened to practice around 2:15. Before we knew it it was after 4pm. I wen to the gym, Carolyn and Anne to stretch and Susan to stretch later.

The gym was busy for the first time since I’d been here. Some of the players were doing extensive routines. Brian Cheney was working on his shoulder and flexibility; Tina Karwasky was biking and stretching, but the most impressive was Liane Bryson, women’s 75s. She was working on her core at one point, stretching, then standing on one foot balancing…on a bosu! After finishing that she was juggling, first normally, then with one eye closed. That must be why she’s a world class tennis player!