TOP-SEEDED TRACY HOUK ADVANCES TO WOMEN’S 50s QUARTERFINALS AT USTA NATIONAL SENIOR WOMEN’S HARD COURT TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Written by: Staff on 14th May 2013

TOP-SEEDED TRACY HOUK ADVANCES TO WOMEN’S 50s QUARTERFINALS AT USTA NATIONAL SENIOR WOMEN’S HARD COURT TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS |

La Jolla, Calif. – (May 14, 2013) – Top-seeded Tracy Houk of Montara, Calif., is playing in her third Women’s 50s tournament at the USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Tennis Championships this week at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

After losing in the Women’s 50s singles final the past two years, the 51-year-old hopes the third time is the charm and this will be the year she breaks through and wins the national title and the USTA gold ball.

On a cool, mostly cloudy morning, Houk, who received a first-round bye, began her quest for the championship as she scored a hard-fought 6-2, 6-0, second-round victory over Tai Sisson of San Dimas, Calif.

“I had to step it up a little bit. These girls get the ball back, they run down a lot of balls and they’re in really good shape,” Houk said after the match. “I’m taking it one match at a time. Every match is going to get tougher.”

With the second-round victory, Houk advances to the quarterfinals, where she will face fifth-seeded Marianne Caplan of Harrisburg, Pa., at 10:30 a.m. (PDT) on Wednesday.

A veteran tournament player, Houk holds 18 gold balls for winning USTA national singles and doubles titles in various age divisions, including the doubles championship at last year’s Women’s 50s at the LJB&TC. However, she is still looking for her for first hard court singles title in the Women’s 50s.

When asked about her chances of winning this year’s singles title, Houk responded, “I never look too far ahead with each match, but if I make it to the finals, it’s got to be this year. I love this tournament. It’s my favorite tournament and I look forward to coming here every year.”

In other Women’s 50s singles action, third-seeded Vicki Buholz of Dallas eliminated Shelley Susman of San Diego, 6-1, 6-2 and second-seeded Frances Chandler of Jackson, Tenn. got past Jenny Keller of La Jolla, Calif., 6-2, 7-5.

The Women’s 90s doubles final will be played on Wednesday at 1 p.m. (PDT). San Diego’s Jane Howard and Helene Salvetat of Hossegor, France, will face Elizabeth Cookson of San Mateo, Calif., and Lucille Trefzger of Lake Oswego, Ore.

The national senior women’s tennis tournament, which concludes on Sunday, May 19, features singles and doubles events in the 50 and over, 60 and over, 70 and over, 80 and over age groups, as well as a doubles event in the 90 and over age division.

The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s 41st Annual Spring Senior Championships for men is also taking place this week in conjunction with the women’s events. Although the men’s events are not national championships, they feature many senior players who regularly compete in national tournaments. The men’s events include singles and doubles for 60 and over, 65 and over, 70 and over, 75 and over, 80 and over age groups.

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club welcomes tennis enthusiasts to view the tournament with free admission. On-site parking is available for a nominal fee. Tournament draws are online at: http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=125267

Scheduled start of play:

Women Men

Wed.: 90 Doubles Wed.: 60, 80 Singles / 65, 75 Doubles

Thurs.: 75 Singles / 60 Doubles

Fri.: 80 Doubles

The starting times for each day of the tournament are as follows: Wednesday, May 15 through Friday, May 17 – 8 a.m.; Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 – 9 a.m.

All women’s main draw singles finals and women’s 50, 60, 70 and 80 main draw doubles finals will be played on Friday, May 17. All women’s consolation events will conclude on Sunday, May 19.

The main draw singles and doubles finals in the men’s divisions will be played on Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19, with the exception of the Men’s 70 doubles, which is slated for Thursday, May 16.

Designated as 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.