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Carol Clay took the photos showing above from the 40/50 Indoors in Detroit.

Susan Wright beat Tracey Thompson for the 50 singles title 61 62 and Kathy Vick took third over Chris Ramsower-Pearlstein  63 60(referred to as CRP from now on!).

Thompson/CRP beat Tracy Worley/Vick in a tough, tense three setter for the doubles title, 75 26 75; Hiko Fritz-Krakow and Cathy Farrell won the bronze.

Amy Alcini won two gold balls in the 40s, beating Miramar Alonzo 57 63 61 in the final after going three sets in the semis to subdue Sue Kaleel; Kaleel took the bronze 62 61 over Kim Cashman.

Alcini and Joanne Russell beat Sue Keane/Mary Dailey in the doubles final; Cashman/Kaleel won the bronze.

For all results, click here.

The fact sheets have been posted on the ITF Seniors website for the super senior world championships in Perth.

Click here for a link to all of the fact sheets for Perth.

From the ITF Seniors website, the dates and locations of the 2010 World Championships

Seniors - San Luis Potosi, Mexico (Hard) - Teams 29 March - 3 April & Individuals 4-11 April

Super-Seniors - Antalya, Turkey (red clay) - Teams October 11-16 & Individuals October 17-24
For future changes, check this link.

            

USTA ADULT/SENIOR COMPETITION COMMITTEE UPDATE

 

                                             By Kathy Langer

 

          Since the beginning of the year, when the ITF decided to seed all ITF sanctioned tournaments using the ITF ranking exclusively, our committee has been working tirelessly to gather information to present to the ITF as to why we don’t think that method of seeding is better than the USTA’s All Factors method and to suggest other changes in their rules.  Since all of our age 35-85 (men) 35-80 (women) Category I National Championships and several of our Category II USTA Tournaments are sanctioned by the ITF, we must either follow their rules or discontinue the sanctions.

          The information gathered has included a survey of the players and Tournament Directors (those results are now on the USTA Adult/Senior web site).  We did an analysis of the first five ITF tournaments in 2009 using both methods of seeding.  There have been discussions with ITF representatives by two of the USTA’s past presidents and discussions with ITF staff and our ITF Sr. Committee member, Carolyn Nichols and the USTA Staff Coordinator, Theresa Bowen, while they were at the Cup Team and World Championships in Spain in April.

          The information and discussions are still ongoing, and a final decision will not be made as to our further involvement with ITF until the end of the year.  This year, since these events are still ITF sanctioned, we are continuing to abide by the ITF rules, except for our decision to continue to seed by the All Factors method.  We have informed the ITF of that decision and they understand that we are continuing to explore all of our options.

          The discussions with the ITF have been positive.  We are hoping for a compromise on the seeding issue, the IPIN number (International Player Identification Number, a fee charged similar to the USTA membership fee) and some other rules that we feel are not in our players’ best interests.  They have asked us for suggestions.  We are in the process of providing that information.

The player survey (click here to see details) indicated about 2/3 of players did not think it was important to remain involved with ITF since most players do not play out of the country.  Many may not have realized that all of our national tournaments are ITF sanctioned and players can earn ITF rankings by playing them, without leaving the USA to play.  One-third of our players like being affiliated with the ITF.  Having a world ranking is important to many players as it helps to ensure they will be seeded correctly when they are representing the USTA in World Team and  World Individual Championships.  It will also help those players who play in other countries.  Even though the number of players who are able to play in other countries is small, we want them to be treated fairly.

Every other country in the world that has a tennis federation is a member of the ITF.  The USTA is the biggest tennis organization and it is important that we consider carefully our decision to withdraw or remain affiliated.  The IPIN will  not be an issue until approximately 2013 when ITF becomes computerized.

 

 As anyone who follows world politics knows, it takes lots of time and lots of discussion to reach accord between organizations that believe their way is the best. Hopefully, each will compromise some things in order to live peacefully. Some issues are too important on which to compromise and our goal is to stand firm on those, while being open to ideas in other areas.

The ITF Senior Committee will meet in late November.  We will

know then how they respond to our suggestions.

 

Regarding the ITF and other issues: 

·        The Adult/Senior Competition Committee has voted to review all new  ITF rules each year to determine if those rules are compatible with USTA rules.  The committee will vote each year on whether or not to continue having our events be ITF sanctioned.    

·        A new Feed-In Championship (FIC) points table has been posted which makes it easier for the USTA computer program to accurately update points.

·        A call item on optional Bye placements will be voted upon at the Semi-Annual Meeting in New York.  This will help Tournament Directors get FIC matches played so players can finish without having to stay an extra day to complete the tournament.

·        We are continuing to monitor and update the web site.  www.usta.com.

·        Circuit Chairs/Seeding Assistants are working closely with TDs to help them with seeding and to communicate player concerns so the event is fun and successful.

 

Please contact me if you have any questions.  kathy_langer@yahoo.com

 

 

 

AddieCup (Named for Pauline Betz Addie) is a team event between senior women from New England, Mid Atlantic, Middle States and Eastern USTA sections in the 40-70s.

This year it rained the entire weekend and the matches were played indoors.

Here are some photos taken and submitted by Abbi Neuthaler. Thank you Abbi!

Amy Alcini had a great tournament in Detroit, taking home the 40 singles and doubles titles (with Joanne Russell). She beat Alonzo in the final and combined with Russell to beat Mary Dailey/Susan Keane in the doubles final.

Susan Wright cruised to the indoor 50s title, losing no more than 4 games in any match all week. She beat Tracey Thompson in the final. Kathy Vick won the bronze over Chris Ramsower Pearlstein. Chris took home a gold though in doubles, combining with Thompson to beat Tracy Worley/Kathy Vick in a tough 3 setter 75 26 75. Cathy Farrell/Hiko Fritz Krackow took the doubles bronze.

 The match of the day if not of the tournament was the 35s men's final between Jake Bragonier and Dougal Williams. Dougal overpowered Jake in the first set, using his forehand from all parts of the court and making it hard for Jake to find his backhand. But ast the match progressed, Jake grew accustomed to the pace, countered it well and used his excellent backhand to lengthen the points. The match ended in a third set tiebreaker won 86 by Bragonier.

The tournament committee, led by Susan McShannock and Chrissie Costamagna raised $15,000 in prize money this year.Thank you so much to all the sponsors, you can see their signs in many of the photos on my website.

In the 40s, Rick Kepler sliced and diced and drop shotted (good thing Federer has made dropshotting "cool") his way past top seeded Curtis Dunn. Kepler's big lefty serve also helped out on some big points. Rick's doubles partner, Brian Cory seemd a bit concerned when he found out Rick was still out playing singles when he arrived (that wasn't in the plan!), but he and Rick won the 40 doubles nonetheless 62 75 over Garber/Willoughby.

Another marathon match took place between Geoff Cykman and Robert Van Malder, (55s) but Cykman ran all over the court (Van Malder also is a dropshot proponent), and ran off with a three set win 57 63 62. He also won the 55 doubles with Stanley.

Chuck Bleckinger upset the 2nd seed, Gary Pybass in three sets in the semis of the 65s, but was powerless to stop Don Long in the final. Long won the semis and finals with the loss of only 1 game. Long got in enough court time though, as he also played 60s and reached the semis in that division.

Brent Abel was nearly as stingy against Roger Khan in the 60s, winning the final 61 61. Khan had played 2 marathon matches to reach the final. Brent combined with Steve Cornell to oust Khan/Upton 62 76 in the doubles.

Mai Ichikawa-Abel,  won the 35 singles over L. Grimshaw 60 62 and reached the doubles final in the 35s.

Erika Smith and Alissa Finerman won the 35 and 40 doubles. Tracy Houk and Judy Newman Rakela, both stiff from their 3 set marathon a couple of days earlier (and Tracy from another 3-setter yesterday) held off Roland/Smyth (who upset the 2nd seeds, Johnson/Stillman-Scott in the semis), winnning in 3 sets.

Tina Karwasky won the 55 singles and doubles again; and Linda Bucklin/Judy Louie won the 60s over Andi Polisky/Claudia Giacomini.



I won the 50 singles over Leslie Airola Murveit 63 62 and teamed with Carrie Zarraonandia to beat

Hello from Mill Valley, CA. If you are tired of the heat in the summer, this is the tournament for you...if it gets to 68, locals comment about the "muggy" weather...

Tracy Houk gets the roadrunner award again. She played three hours yesterday to beat Judy Rakela 62 67 62...Tracy had a match point and a relatively easy backhand passing shot in the 2nd set and missed it and was still talking about it after the match. Judy played well and came to the net a lot but Tracy was too steady and mentally tough in the end. Tracy beat Shelly Scott in the final in another 3 setter. 62 36 63. It was under three hours but very physical, the two of them using every part of the court...Shelly hit short angles and came in, Tracy hit passing shots and lobs, great points. Both players were cramping in the third set and nursing injuries, but it was not obvious, as the points remained long and grueling.

Pam Schulz upset Kathy Barnes in the 55s 63 63. Fresh off winning her first USTA ball, a bronze in the 55 indoors (and winning the consolation singles), she was full of confidence and the lefty attacked the net well. She takes on Tina Karwasky tomorrow.

In the 65s, Anne Russ came back from a set down to beat Heather Fiscallini; Fiscallini upset Nancy Garcia in the previous round.

Greta Watson won the 3 person RR in the 60 singles. Carolyn Wei won the 40 singles with a decisive win over tournament referee Chrissie Costamagna. Carolyn Nichols and Leslie Murveit play the 50 singles final tomorrow; Murveit had a good win over Carrie Zarraonandia in the quarters.

In the 35 men's singles, Jake Bragonnier upset the #2 seed, Shibu Lal in straight sets, avenging his final round loss the year before to Lal.

In the 40s, Rick Kepler and Curtis Dunn won, and play the final tomorrow.

Dad and I won the Father/Daughter "Ultra Senior" (aka the Father/Daughter 80+) Hard Courts last weekend in San Diego at the Barnes Tennis Center. We beat last year's grass and clay court champions, Ann Jacobs and Dick Phelps in the final. One of the best matches of the tournament was between Jacobs/Phelps and this year's indoor champions, Appleby/Payne, won 64 in the third on a cold, windy day in San Diego. Appleby/Phelps won the back draw for the 2nd year in a row. The Settles won the bronze with a tough 76 75 win over Bentz/Matelski.

There was a nice dinner on the beach on Friday night at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, and the tournament hotels were the LJBTC and the adjoining La Jolla Shores Hotel, both on the Pacific, really nice.

There was also open, 60+ 70+ (won by Herm Ahlers/Krista O'Connor for the 3rd straight year) and Mother/Son.
All results.