At Alexander Park the USA Britannia Cup team split its singles, but won the deciding doubles point to reach the final tomorrow. Jimmy Parker also reported that the women’s 65s and 70s teams had both split their singles and were playing their deciding doubles match when they left.
At Robertson Park the men’s 60s and 75s advanced comfortably. In the 60s, Army Neely started proceedings against the Netherlands with a straight set win at #2 singles. Brian Cheney, looking comfortable on the carpet (what a terrific backhand!) also won in straight sets. Hugh Thomson/Brent Abel won the doubles point. It is Brent’s first Cup and he was psyched to reach the final. He said sitting on the bench was exciting as he could feel the energy from the players on court. They play the winners of France/Spain tomorrow.
The men’s 75s played Australia. They are in a 3 team round robin with France being the third team. Australia beat France yesterday, so this was nearly a final. John Powless started things off with a win at #2 singles, in straight sets. King Van Nostrand took out Max Byrne at #1 singles…and Max took out the world #1 the year before and Doss/Hurlbut played the doubles. They play France tomorrow.
The men’s 80s played France. Graydon Nichols played #2 singles and lost a tight 75 64 match at #2 singles. Clem Hopp dominated at #1 singles, using his forehand and drop shot effectively. He lost only a game in winning. Nichols/Tony Franco played the deciding doubles point for the second straight match and again dropped the first set, this time 76, but rallied to win the final sets 63 61. Hopp said he was more nervous watching than playing, and I know I was! They play Australia in a repeat of the 2007-8 finals.
The women’s 75s faced Canada. Margaret Canby played #2 singles and lost a close match, fighting till the end very hard, but fell 76 in the third. Mary Boswell though was flawless in beating Muffie Grieve 63 62 (Muffie unfortunately learned of her mother’s death early this morning, though she did not make any excuses). Joyce Cutts and Grieve played the doubles point against Boswell/Lee Burling and lost 64 and I believe 60. They play Australia in the final tomorrow.
The women’s 60s played France today. Brenda Carter played a good player, the French #3, who hit hard and flat, a very effective way to play on the carpet. She lost 62 76 (5), very nearly forcing a third set. Martha Downing then played world #1 Nicole Hesse, and played well, losing in three sets. Carol Clay/Kathy Bennett won the doubles point. They thus finished third in the Marble Cup.
In the men’s 70s, USA played New Zealand and lost both singles. Fred Farzanegan dropped a heartbreaker 75 67 64, especially since he led 51 in the first set. A spectator chose set point in the 2nd set to wander though Fred’s court to view another court…(Fred asked her if she was lost, and she appeared to be lost), but Fred focused on the next point and won it.
George Sarantos lost at #1 singles 64 76 (6)…a very tough, tight match against an experienced opponent.
Click here for an article on yesterday’s play and all results from Mon-Thursday.