Second-seeded Frances Chandler of Jackson, Tenn., defeated Canada’s Erin Boynton, 6-2, 6-3, to advance to the Women’s 50s singles semifinals at the USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Tennis Championships.
Playing on Court No. 8 on a cool, breezy day at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Chandler needed one-hour and 25 minutes to get past the fifth-seeded Boynton, who hails from Toronto.
Using her strong baseline game, Chandler built a 4-1 lead and would go on to win the first set in 33 minutes. In the second set, Boynton served at 2-3 and fought off six break points to win a 16-point game and tie the set at 3-3.
In the next game, Chandler saved a break point and held serve to take a 4-3 lead and went on to win the next 10 out of 12 points to close out the match.
“It was a lot tougher than 2 and 3. She had me on the ropes a lot. She helped me out a couple of times on short forehands when she missed,” Chandler said. “If she had hit them, they would have been winners and it (the match) could have gone the other way.”
The 51-year-old Chandler is looking to regain the Women’s 50s title she won at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in 2011, when she defeated Tracy Houk of Montara, Calif., in the final. In last year’s tournament, Houk turned the tables as she defeated Chandler in the semifinals.
“Tracy beat me last year and there are a lot of tough players, so there is not an easy match anywhere,” said Chandler, who admitted that in would mean a lot to her to win the USTA gold ball.
In Thursday’s Women’s 50s singles semifinals, Chandler will face fifth-seeded Judy Newman of Scotts Valley, Calif, who ousted third-seeded Vicki Buholz of Dallas, 6-3, 7-6 (5). Houk will play fourth-seeded Carolyn Nichols of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
If Chandler and Houk win their semifinal matches, they will meet yet again in the Women’s 50s. This time, it would be in Friday’s singles championship final.
Elizabeth Cookson of San Mateo, Calif., and Lucille Trefzger of Lake Oswego, Ore. wrapped up the
Women’s 90s doubles title as they combined to defeat San Diego’s Jane Howard and Helene Salvetat of Hossegor, France, 6-4, 6-2, in the championship.
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/
The starting times for each day of the tournament are as follows: Thursday, May 16 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.
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: Elizabeth Cookson, Frances Chandler, Lucille Trefzger, Usta, USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Tennis Championships