Wednesday August 22, Neu-Ulm, Germany

Today was another warm and sunny day in Ulm and a busy one. Susan and I warmed up at 8 for our 11am matches; We were both scheduled for 11am but got on slightly late. I played at SSV Ulm on Court 1 against Lyn Mortimer. It was pretty much a dust bowl…a couple of shots just nestled into the clay as they would a pillow and refused to bounce. I won 62 62 in about 90 minutes, and played pretty well. It was my third time playing Lyn in the past 6 weeks!

Robin Harris and I reached the doubles semis too, beating Patricia Peal and Patricia Wire 61 62, but the match was closer than the score, lasting 90 minutes.

Susan Wright played Regina Marsikova a former pro player who won 17 titles on tour and was ranked in the top 15 for five years; she was a semifinalist twice at the French Open and won the doubles there once, and also reached the semis of the US Open. In other words, she’s formerly a superb player and hasn’t lost much. She beat Susan in straight sets. I didn’t see the match but Susan and onlookers said it was a good match with some close games.

Diane Barker won easily over Patricia Peal, and I play Diane tomorrow at 10am.

Marcikova plays Ros Balodis in the other semi.

Jenny Klitch won a tough match for the second straight day, against #4 seed Jurate Hardy of Lithuania. Jenny said it was a good, and very hard fought match, and after Jenny won Jurate invited her to lunch! That’s what good senior tennis is about, competition and camaraderie. Jenny and Andrea Rice also won their doubles match today.

Shelly Works and Daniela Esswein advanced in 55 doubles

Vicky Buholz lost a tough 3-setter to Barbora Koutna, saving multiple match points in the second set, only to fall in the third. Koutna was really pounding the ball.

Danny Waldman advanced in singles, doubles (walkover from Busby/Persons) and mixed (with Mary Dailey); Mark Vines also reached the quarters in singles but with Wes Cash lost a tough one 11-9 in the match tiebreaker.

Willie Alumbaugh and Scott Works won their R16 doubles match today in the 50s, in a match tiebreak.