Friday Night Aug. 16
Lisbon, Portugal
Writing about losses is not particularly fun. But I can do it as long after my match as I wish (or not at all), which is not the case on the pro tour, where they have to explain losses (and wins) only moments after they occur. Anyway, Susan Wright ended my singles tournament with a solid performance. I warmed up again with Jenny Klitch, which apparently worked well for me since I had many chances in the first set. I even led 65, but Susan hit one of her patented backhands an inch from the line (along with a couple others at deuce that were brave and accurate) and played better the whole match. It’s hard to believe she once had a 2-handed backhand that she was reluctant to abandon since her one handed shot is great. Tomorrow morning she plays Diane Barker in the final. Barker took out France’s Betty Michel 63 63.
In 60 doubles, Susan and Pat Medrado played Tracey Thompson/Jenny Cerff which was won 64 63 by the defending champions (Susan/Pat). By all accounts it was a great match, lots of great volleys, overheads and lobs. Robin and I beat an Aussie pair, Fiona Walker/Rosemary Everett 60 63. Robin played fantastic and we won 60 63. It was somewhat windy but nothing compared to yesterday. We play Pat and Susan tomorrow afternoon.
Thompson, Cerff, Wright, Medrado
Shelly Works (not in gray!)/Fran Chandler
Walker, Everett, Harris, Nichols
Robin is into the 60 mixed final with Ross Persons against Ros Balodis and her partner. They received a default in the semis from players who didn’t anticipate doing so well in the tournament and had booked flights for today. Ross fell in men’s doubles in the semis. He said it was a really fun, good match and he played well.
Mark Vines and Glenn Busby are into the doubles final, but Busby crushed Mark in singles earlier in the day (then they crushed their British doubles opponents).
In the 55s, Fran Chandler/Shelly Works are into the final. They played Brenda Foster and her partner and were down 84 in the match tiebreak and came back to win it! They face Mary Dailey/Klartje Van Baarle in the final, who were lucky to be there…Van Baarle was over an hour late for the match but Vicki Buholz/Gayle Prejean agreed to play them anyway, which was quite sporting of them.
Vicki and Jerome Vanier lost a tight semi to Brenda Foster/Berend Betz, in the match tiebreak in 55 mixed. NorCal players Polo Cowan/Dan Grossman are in the 55 doubles final. Grossman has a 65 world title to his name, so it’s impressive that he can give up 10 years and still reach the final of the worlds in doubles. They beat Betz/Frans Grimbergen of the Netherlands.
Jenny Klitch fell in 50 singles to a French player…she too had a set point in the second set but fell just a point short of forcing a third. Canada’s Taras Beyko is into the men’s 50 singles final.
Finals tomorrow then off to Spain.
2019 ITF Senior Team & Individual Information, Draws, Results, Photos