Ros Nideffer
It will be a championship day on Friday as singles finals in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s divisions of the USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Championships are scheduled to be played at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.
The highlight of Thursday’s action was the 50 and over semifinal match between fourth-seeded Judy Newman of Scotts Valley, Calif., and defending champion and second seed Tracy Houk of Montara, Calif.
The two Northern California residents battled for four hours and 15 minutes before Houk pulled out a dramatic 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory. Newman looked to be on the verge of the victory as she established a 5-2 lead in the third set.
However, Houk fought back and with the help of two key service breaks, went on to win the final five games to capture the match and advance to her fourth straight 50 and over singles final in La Jolla.
Awaiting Houk in Friday’s 50 and over singles championship will be top-seeded Ros Nideffer of San Diego (Rancho Bernardo), who overcame a tough first-set against third-seeded Frances Chandler of Jackson, Tenn. before winning, 6-4, 6-1, in one hour and 35 minutes.
Nideffer opened her semifinal match by winning the first three games, but Chandler came back to win the next three games to tie the score at 3-3. Nideffer eventually secured the first set when Chandler double-faulted on set point against her as she served at 4-5.
In the second set, Nideffer began to win the majority of baseline rallies and took control of the tempo of the match and on occasion approached the net to hit a winning volley.
With service breaks in the second and fourth games, Nideffer took a commanding 5-0 lead. After Chandler held serve at love in the sixth game, Nideffer, who won the tournament title in 2012, went on to serve out the match.
For complete draws, schedule and results for each age division, please go to: http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=138251
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club welcomes tennis enthusiasts to view the tournament with free admission. On-site parking is available for a nominal fee.
Consolation events will be played through the conclusion of the tournament on Sunday, May 18.
Friday’s Singles Finals
Women’s 50s – 11 a.m.
Ros Nideffer (1), San Diego, vs. Tracy Houk (2), Montara, Calif.
Women’s 60s – 10 a.m.
Tina Karwasky (1), Glendale, Calif., vs. Martha Downing (2), Shingle Springs, Calif.
Women’s 70s – 10:30 a.m.
Charleen Hillebrand (1), San Pedro, Calif., vs. Catherine Anderson (2), Del Mar, Calif.
Women’s 80s – 10:30 a.m.
Mary Lynch (1), Rockport, Texas, vs. Margaret Canby (2), San Antonio, Texas
The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s 42nd Annual Spring Senior Championships for men is being played concurrently with the women’s events. Although the men’s events are not national championships, they will 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 as well as singles events in the 80 and over, and 85 and over age groups. Total participation for both the men’s and women’s tournaments is expected to be 300-plus players.
The starting times for each day of the tournament will be as follows: Friday, May 16 – 8 a.m.; Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 – 9 a.m.
The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club started each of these events and has hosted them since inception. 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.
About the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Inc. – The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company dedicated to the operation of a 14-acre beachside resort. The resort includes three properties, including the exclusive La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, the 128-room La Jolla Shores Hotel and the award-winning Marine Room restaurant. Resort amenities include 14 championship tennis courts, a nine-hole Par-3 golf course, two swimming pools, two additional oceanfront restaurants and cocktail lounges, and one of Southern California’s only private beaches. For more information visit LJBTC.com.
Topics: La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Tennis, Tennis News, Usta
THURSDAY’S SUMMARY AND RESULTS — USTA NATIONAL SENIOR WOMEN’S HARD COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS — LA JOLLA BEACH & TENN… – http://t.co/2u6F9Kigmy