Local players made a strong showing on Opening Day of the United States Tennis Association National Women’s Senior Hard Court Championships as matches in the 50 and Over and 60 and Over divisions took center stage on an overcast day at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.
A trio of unseeded San Diego-based competitors posted impressive first-round results to advance to the second round in the 60 and Over division. Colleen Clery Ferrell (above) breezed past Cathy Sejansky of Garden Grove, 6-0, 6-0 in approximately 70 minutes, while Ginny Beneke eliminated Katie Baker of Costa Mesa, 6-0, 6-1 and Nancy Abler-Sanchez blanked Jerri Randrup of Stockton, 6-0, 6-0.
“This is one of the best senior tennis tournaments in the country. It is run so well and the staff really takes care of the players. I always look forward to playing this event,” Clery Ferrell said after her straight-set victory. “With so many of the top players in the country playing here this week, it’s a great opportunity to play against some tough competition.”
Clery Ferrell, who is club director of San Diego’s Balboa Tennis Club, will meet fifth-seeded Jenny Keller of La Jolla in Tuesday’s second-round at 10:30 a.m.
Frances Chandler of Jackson, Tenn., the No. 1 seed in the 60 and Over singles draw, received a first-round bye and will play her second-round match on Tuesday at 10 a.m. against Terri Thyssen of Conroe, Texas. The 61-year-old Chandler, who has represented the United States in international individual and team competitions, captured the 50 and Over singles title in 2011.
In the 50 and Over division, unseeded Kathleen Lacey of San Diego ousted fifth-seeded Maria O’Connor of San Juan Capistrano, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-2 to advance to Tuesday’s second-round. In other first-round action, fifth-seeded Valerie Tan of San Diego got past Leora Grimshaw of Mill Valley, 6-4, 6-2 and Christine Anzai defeated fellow San Diegan Paulina Rassavong 6-2, 6-1.
Top-seeded Amanda Parson-Siegel of Santa Ana, received a first-round bye in the 50 and Over singles draw. She is scheduled to meet unseeded Catherine Morgan of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Tuesday at 9 a.m.
Play in the 70s and 80s divisions will get underway Tuesday. Defending 70s singles champion and top-seed Tina Karwasky of Glendale, received a first-round bye and will play her first match on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Two-time defending 80s singles champion and top-seed Charleen Hillebrand of Long Beach, also received a first-round bye. She will play her opening singles match Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
To view singles and doubles draws for each tournament division, click aquí. The starting times for each day of the USTA National Women’s Senior Hard Court Championships will be:
Tuesday, May 16 through Friday, May 19 — 8 a.m.
Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21 — 9 a.m.
The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club welcomes tennis enthusiasts to view the tournament and will offer free admission to spectators for the entire tournament. Tournament attendees and spectators may dine on-site at the Club’s Snack Bar and Club Dining restaurant during the tournament. On-site parking is available for a nominal fee.
