Tennis Panorama News

La Jolla, Calif. – (May 18, 2013) – With main draw singles matches already completed, consolation matches took center stage at the USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Championships at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

On a bright and sunny Saturday morning, third-seeded Vicki Buholz of Dallas advanced to the Women’s 50s Consolation singles final with an entertaining come-from-behind, 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-1,semifinal victory over fifth-seeded Erin Boynton of Toronto.

Earlier in the week, Buholz was eliminated in the main draw quarterfinals after losing to fifth-seeded Judy Newman of Scotts Valley, Calif. 6-3, 7-6 (5).

“(Judy and I) go back and forth. She can play really tough and she played solid that day. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her play better,” said Buholz as she spoke about her quarterfinal loss to Newman.

“She was coming in on everything and of course I was hitting the ball short. I tried to get it deep and I just had a hard time,” Buholz added. “I don’t feel bad losing to Judy, she played great.”

Following her main draw quarterfinal loss, Buholz is enjoying playing in the tournament’s consolation rounds. “I love tennis. I have a passion for tennis. I play every match I can play. I’m excited to play in the final,” she said. “I love this tournament and every win is a win.”

In Sunday’s Women’s 50s Consolation singles final, which is scheduled for 8 a.m. (PDT), Buholz will face her best friend and doubles partner, Kathy Vick of Lubbock, Texas.

All women’s consolation events will conclude on Sunday, May 19. Matches will begin at 8 a.m.

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

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.

USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Championships

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club

La Jolla, Calif.

Surface: Hard Court

Saturday’s Results

 

Women’s 50 Singles

Consolation – Semifinals

Kathy Vick (5), Lubbock, Texas, def. Marianne Caplan (5), Harrisburg, Pa., 6-2, 6-4

Vicki Buholz (3), Dallas, def. Erin Boynton (5), Toronto, 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-1

 

Women’s 60 Singles

Consolation – Semifinals

Victoria McEvoy (5), Cambridge, Mass., def. Kathy Barnes, San Jose, 6-3, 6-2

Susan Bramlette (5), Houston, def. Carolee Hammel Wellsville, Utah, 6-4, 6-3

 

Women’s 70 Singles

Consolation – Semifinals

Lurline Fujii (4), La Habra, def. Teri Eggers (5), Orange, 6-4, 6-2

 

Women’s 80 Singles

Consolation – Semifinals

Janet Hubbard, Huntington Beach, def. Sally Fuller, La Jolla, 6-0, 6-0

Irene Bretzel, Fircrest, Wash., def. Nancy Kibbey, La Mesa, 6-2, 6-4

 

Women’s 80 Doubles

Championship

Jane Buffington, Lincoln, Calif., and Beverly Winans (1), Newport Beach, def. Margaret Canby, San Antonio, and Doris Lutz (2), Sarasota, Fla., 6-3, 6-3

La Jolla, Calif. – (May 17, 2013) – The third time was the charm for top-seeded Tracy Houk of Montara, Calif., as she overwhelmed second-seeded Frances Chandler of Jackson, Tenn., 6-1, 6-0, to win the Women’s 50s singles title of the USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Championships at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

The 51-year-old Houk had been a tournament singles finalist the past two years, but fell short each time. This year however, there was no doubt as she broke Chandler’s serve at love to open match and won 12 of the first 14 points and would go on to build a 5-0 first set lead.

After closing out the first set with her fourth service break, a determined Houk stayed focused in the second set and continued to pressure Chandler from the baseline in dominating fashion as she won 12 of the first 15 points.

Houk proceeded to wrap up the second set in 25 minutes to win her first USTA National Women’s 50s singles title. “I just went in there determined. I knew I could do it. I wanted to put 110 percent into it and I did,” said an overjoyed Houk.

“I’m in shock. There was more emotion the last two years when I lost. This year, it hasn’t hit me yet because I worked so hard to get here, but I am truly happy. It’s incredible.”

Houk, who thanked her coach Mike Zarraonandia for helping her win the tournament, said the key to her victory was her intensity and the ability to keep the ball deep in the court during the match to prevent Chandler from attacking.

In other title matches played on Friday, defending champion and top seed Tina Karwasky of Glendale, Calif., won the Women’s 60s singles crown as she got past third-seeded Mary Ginnard of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 6-4, 6-4. It was the second straight year Karwasky defeated Ginnard in the final.

“It’s always tough play Mary because we’re both so competitive,” Karwasky said after her match. “She raises the level of her game every time she plays me, so I never know what to expect. I just made a few less unforced errors.”

In the Women’s 70s singles final, second-seeded Catherine Anderson of Del Mar, Calif. scored a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory over top-seeded Charleen Hillebrand of San Pedro, Calif. to win the title.

Number one-seeded Margaret Canby of San Antonio defeated second-seeded Doris Lutz of Sarasota, Fla., 6-3, 6-4, to capture the Women’s 80s singles championship.

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

All women’s consolation events will conclude on Sunday, May 19. Matches will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

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.