USA won all ten ties played today, but it wasn’t an easy task in several Cups.
The USA did cruise to victory in the women’s 65, 70 and 75s. The women’s 75 played the Ukrainian team which didn’t show up in time to play yesterday. They showed up in matching satin-type fabric skirts and T-shirts with their country’s name on them. The USA won very easily, but were happy to have a match today.
The USA also had an easy time advancing in the men’s 80 and 70 and didn’t lose a set in advancing in the men’s 65s.
The men’s 75 won 3/0 but it was anything but routine. Bob Quall started at #2 singles and three hours later had won 75 in the third. I don’t think he moved a muscle the rest of the day. It was a very physical match and Bob did well to win it against his tough Swedish opponent. Next up was Fred Farzanegan, whose match at #1 singles lasted nearly as long as Bob’s, but Fred also won in the third set, 63. Jerald Hayes and Willie Wolf won their first ever Cup match, taking the singles point to seal the 3/0 win.
The men’s 60 team was very close to losing to Denmark today. The USA are the defending champions, but that wasn’t important to Denmark. Tom Smith started well at #2 singles, going up a double break and leading 41, but that’s when the balls became heavy,and Tom was a bit impatient, but fighting hard. He lost 76 62.
Geoff Cykman was up next and lost the first set 60! He regrouped and won the second 62. The third set was a dogfight won 76 by Geoff. Geoff afterwards described his match not as “Winning Ugly”, but as requiring a new chapter be written to make it improve to a “winning ugly” level. Tom and Tony Dawson won the doubles point in straight sets.
The women’s 60s beat Spain 2/1. Sherri Bronson lost a tough one at #2 singles, but Tina Karwasky won over Encarnacion Gomis at #2 and teamed with Sherri to win the doubles point 61 61. Sue Bramlette asked me if the doubles line up could change and I told her no..she had a deer in the headlights look for a nanosecond, then realized I was kidding!
The Doris Hart Cup split its singles again, this time with Argentina, who took out #2 seeded Germany. Jane Lutz won and Margaret Canby lost. Then Rose Austin and Margaret played the doubles and won it 12-10 in a match tiebreaker!
Draws are here: carolynnichols.wordpress.com.