Americans Are Front Runners At Senior Championships

Written by: Staff on 22nd February 2011

Americans Are Front Runners At Senior Championships

2009 Davis Cup March 2009 USA poster |

The 2011 ITF Seniors World Team Championships got underway in Christchurch, New Zealand on Monday, featuring 115 teams from 25 countries.

The Americans are hot favorites in many cups again this year, with current world champions Julie Cass, Fran Chandler, Diane Fishburne and Tina Karwasky representing their country in the women’s 40, 45, 50 and 55 categories respectively. The American men’s teams can call on reigning 40s world champion Mario Tabares and former doubles Grand Slam winner Rick Leach in the Dubler Cup (men’s 45).

Spain has won the Italia Cup (men’s 35) three times in the past five years, although it could face strong competition from a strong French team. France is also among the favorites to defend its titles in the Tony Trabert Cup (men’s 40) and Dubler Cup.

Australia has dominated the Austria Cup (men’s 55) for the last six years, and with the addition of last year’s 50s world champion Glenn Busby, it is in with an excellent chance of making it seven wins in a row.

In the women’s cups, the other teams will have their work cut out to end American dominance. The Young Cup (women’s 40) could feature an intriguing rematch between USA and France, which last year ended in an upset win for the Americans. The Maria Esther Bueno Cup (women’s 50) could also pit multiple world champion Ros Balodis of Australia against the American team.

The Suzanne Lenglen Cup (women’s 35) looks to be one of the most open events, with defending champion Great Britain facing competition from last year’s runner-up France as well as USA, lead by world No. 1 Patricia Zerdan, and Spain, with Ana Salas and Noelia Perez.

Next week sees over 300 competitors in action in the Seniors World Individual Championships in Christchurch. For daily news and results, visit the ITF Seniors website: http://www.itftennis.com/seniors.