USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Championships
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
May 12-18, 2014
La Jolla, Calif.
SINGLES CHAMPIONS IN FOUR AGE DIVISIONS CROWNED ON FRIDAY
AT NATIONAL SENIOR WOMEN’S HARD COURT TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Top-Seeded Ros Nideffer Defeats Second-Seeded Tracy Houk for 50s Singles
Former touring tennis professional Ros Nideffer of San Diego (Rancho Bernardo) captured the 50 and over singles title at the USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Championships with a 6-2, 6-3 victory in the final over second-seeded Tracy Houk of Montara, Calif.
On a bright, sunny day at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Nideffer, the number one seed, set the tone of the match early as she won the first eight points of the first set to take a 2-0 lead. Houk managed to win the next two games to level the set at 2-2.
However, Nideffer played a patient baseline game like she had in her previous victories earlier in the week and was successful in drawing errors from Houk. When the opportunity arose, Nideffer, a former two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist, also came to the net to knock off winning volleys.
After winning the first set in 42 minutes, the 53-year-old Nideffer continued her solid play from the baseline to take a 4-3 lead in the second set. Serving in the eighth game, Houk took a 40-15 lead, only to see Nideffer come back and win five of the next six points to secure a service break.
Nideffer, who won the 50 and over crown in 2012, increased her second-set lead to 5-3 and despite facing one break point in the ninth game, went on to serve out the match in one hour and 43 minutes. After the match, Nideffer was awarded a USTA gold ball for winning the national title.
“It’s a relief. I’m thankful that I was able to pull it out. I stayed mentally tough and went for my shots when I needed to,” Nideffer said following her victory. “I played well enough to win. When you get older, it’s not so easy. I was trying to force myself to be more aggressive.”
In the 60 and over division, top-seeded Tina Karwasky of Glendale, Calif., won the championship for the third consecutive year as she cruised past second-seeded Martha Downing of Shingle Springs, Calif., 6-1, 6-0. Karwasky dominated the field as she lost a total of only three games during the tournament.
Second-seeded Catherine Anderson of Del Mar, Calif., wrapped up the 70 and over title. She led top-seeded Charleen Hillebrand of San Pedro, Calif., 7-6 (2), 3-2, when Hillebrand was forced to retire from the match due to illness.
Top-seeded Mary Lynch of Rockport, Texas, finished an impressive run to the 80 and over championship as she defeated fellow Texan Margaret Canby, the No. 2 seed from San Antonio, 6-0, 6-2.
Consolation events in singles and doubles will be played through the conclusion of the tournament on Sunday, May 18.
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.
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: 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, Ros Nideffer, Senior Tennis, Tennis News, Usta
FRIDAY’S SUMMARY AND RESULTS– USTA NATIONAL SENIOR WOMEN’S HARD COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS– LA JOLLA BEACH & TENNIS CLUB – http://t.co/M5gOqogD7g
RT @TennisNewsOne: FRIDAY’S SUMMARY AND RESULTS — USTA NATIONAL SENIOR WOMEN’S HARD COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS — LA JOLLA BEACH … http://t.co/qq…
http://t.co/5AkqSxnOZ3