(Above: Jennifer Dawson)
The defending champion United States Young Cup (Women’s 40s) team advanced to the Playoff Round at the International Tennis Federation Seniors World Championships as they defeated Mexico 3-0 on a bright, sunny day at the Barnes Tennis Center.
With the victory over Mexico, the U.S. Young Cup team wins Group A with a 2-0 record and will advance to face France, the Group B winner with a 3-0 record and Spain, the Group C winner with a 3-0 record, to determine the champion of the 2012 Young Cup.
After defeating South Africa 3-0 on Tuesday, the U.S. Young Cup jumped out to a quick lead in Wednesday’s action on Stadium Court at the Barnes Tennis Center as Jennifer Dawson of Carlsbad, Calif. defeated Mexico’s Magali Alanis Quiroz, 6-0, 6-0 in the first singles match.
In the second singles match, Julie Cass of Austin, Texas, scored a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Maria del Carmen Gutierrez Topete of Mexico.
Gretchen Magers of San Diego, Calif. and team captain Amy Alcini of Malibu, Calif., overcame early service breaks in each set of the doubles match to get past Mexico’s Gutierrez Topete and Ana Maria Velez de Wicker, 6-1, 6-2.
“I’ve been really happy with my team’s performance. I just feel so grateful to have such a wonderful team this year. I just have a great feeling for the week,” said U.S. Young Cup team captain Amy Alcini.
The U.S. Young Cup team will have a day off on Thursday while Spain will face France in the first Playoff Round match. The winner of that encounter will determine the order of who the U.S. will play on Friday and Saturday. Each Playoff Round match is scheduled to begin at 9:15 a.m. (PT).
“The level of competition is going to pick up for sure. We beat France the last two years in the finals in very close matches. We have a lot of respect for both teams,” Alcini said. “We’re going to go out ready from the start. I like our team’s chances. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
According to Alcini, the U.S. Young Cup team will have a short practice with singles and doubles drills during their day off on Thursday to prepare for their first Playoff Round match on Friday.
In other action, the U.S. Fred Perry Cup (Men’s 50s) team defeated New Zealand 3-0 and the U.S. Margaret Court Cup (Women’s 45s) team fell to Ireland 2-1 at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
For up to date scores and results from the 2012 ITF Seniors World Team Championships, go to:
www.itftennis.com/seniors
The 32nd annual international team event, which is the senior equivalent of the Davis Cup and Fed Cup competitions, features 10 age divisions. The age divisions and the trophies they are playing for are as
follows:
Men’s 35 – Italia Cup Women’s 35 – Suzanne Lenglen Cup
Men’s 40 – Tony Trabert Cup Women’s 40 – Young Cup
Men’s 45 – Dubler Cup Women’s 45 – Margaret Court Cup
Men’s 50 – Fred Perry Cup Women’s 50 – Maria Esther Bueno Cup
Men’s 55 – Austria Cup Women’s 55 – Maureen Connolly Cup
The cup competitions are being played at the following locations:
Austria Cup and Maureen Connolly Cup – Balboa Tennis Club, 2221 Morley Field Drive, San Diego
Tony Trabert Cup and Young Cup – Barnes Tennis Center, 4490 West Point Loma Boulevard, San Diego
Italia Cup and Suzanne Lenglen Cup – La Costa Resort and Spa, 2100 Costa Del Mar Road, Carlsbad
Dubler Cup – Morgan Run Club & Resort, 5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe
Maria Esther Bueno Cup – San Diego Tennis & Racquet Club, 4848 Tecolote Road, San Diego
Margaret Court Cup and Fred Perry Cup – La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, 2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla
and La Jolla Tennis Club, 7632 Draper Avenue, La Jolla
The United States team is the defending champion in the Young Cup, Margaret Court Cup, Maria Esther Bueno Cup, Maureen Connolly Cup and Fred Perry Cup.
Tournament admission to watch the matches is free and open to the public. On-site parking is available at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club for a nominal fee. There is no charge to park at other tournament venues.
Recently designated one of the Top 50 Tennis Resorts in the world by Tennis Resorts Online, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s reputation as a top tennis destination started in 1942 when it attracted its first major tournament, the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship. The club will be hosting the 123rd edition of The Pacific Coast Mens’ Doubles Championships in March 2012, and the USTA National Hard Court Championships for Women’s 50-90 age groups in May 2012.
For more information on Tennis Events at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club please visit www.LJBTC.com. For information on the ITF Senior