Today was the best, weather-wise of the two weeks here. The high was around 70 and it was sunny and there was no wind. The mountains were even visible in the distance, not covered by clouds.
I played at 9:30; Shirley Friedl warmed me up quite well and I played Inge Pils-Feichter who lives nearby. She beat Sylvia Reigl in the semis 2,3 (the player I went three sets with last week). I played pretty well and won 62 61 and got to nearly all her drop shots…and she has a good one off her backhand!
After playing I had a long gap, till 2pm, so got fuel, for my car and for me, and had lunch, then went back for a scheduled 2pm match. We had a delay since it was early in the second set of the 65 mixed final when I returned and Shirley was playing the final with Bruno Renoult. They had one tough set in their previous two matches; the tough one in this match was the second set, which Shirley and Bruno won 75…Bruno really played an outstanding final game on Karen Peeter’s serve (playing with Jacob Panman). The latter team compete under the Dutch flag but live in Vienna.
Shirley and I beat Elfie Loescher/Syvia Singer 63 61. The first set was tight, we were down 15-40 on my serve at 3-4 and pulled it out which changed the complexion of the match.
While I was waiting to play doubles (and also after my singles), I watched some of the women’s 40 final (which was actually between two 45s players), Sandra Gruber of Austria (who took out the top seed in three sets yesterday) and Regina Balcune who plays under the Dutch flag. It was a long tough match…Balcune seemed to be cramping towards the end but won the third set tiebreaker. Balcune slices every forehand and mixes up 2-handed topspin and slice off her backhand. It was just a great match.
After I left the club and dropped off my stuff at my apartment, I went to drop off my car at Sixt in Villach, which as a key drop off. I thought I’d just get an Uber but none were available, so I walked about 15 minutes to a nearby train station…hoping a taxi would be around. None were, so I googled Villach taxis, and they sent someone to pick me up (which was exactly the price of an Uber). It took a little while but as soon as I pack, I’ll be ready for my train trip tomorrow morning to Vienna.
Congratulations 🎊🎉🎈