Top-seeded Amanda Parson Siegel of Santa Ana, held off second-seeded Pernilla Putnik of Sammamish, Wash., 6-0, 7-6 (2) in a thrilling final to win the 50 and Over singles title at the USTA National Women’s Senior Hard Court Championships.
The victory was extra special for Parson Siegel who had never won a national singles title at the La Jolla Tennis Club until this week. She reached the singles final of the annual USTA National 40 Hard Court Championships in 2018, 2019, and 2021, but fell short of the title each time.
After being presented with her USTA gold ball for winning the national championship, Parson Siegel said, “It feels amazing. I felt relief after winning it. I really wanted it. It’s not just about the gold ball, it’s winning here (La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club). I love this place. It was all about winning here. I’m so grateful.”
Playing on Court No. 1, Parson Siegel dominated the first set against Putnik as she capitalized on three service breaks to wrap up the set in 25 minutes. Putnik then raised the level of her game and broke Parson-Siegel twice early in the second set to take a 3-0 lead and later extended the lead to 4-1.
Parson Siegel got back on track and won three straight games to even the second set at 4-4. Four games later, as the set reached a tie-break, the top-seed took a commanding 4-0 lead in the tie-break and went on to close out the match which took 90 minutes.

“In the first set, my serve was working, I was hitting my spots and staying aggressive, but she definitely picked up her level in the second set,” Parson-Siegel said. “She just saw my serve really well in that second set, so I had to change my game plan. I needed to regroup and step up my game.”
Defending champion and top-seed Tina Karwasky of Glendale, successfully defended her 70 and Over singles title as she rallied from a 3-0 second-set deficit to defeat second-seeded Gwenda Ward of Ocala, Fla., 6-1, 6-3 in one hour and 15 minutes. Karwasky, a former five-time 60s champion, dominated this week’s 70 and Over field as she dropped only seven games in her three singles matches.
Second-seeded Catherine Anderson of Del Mar captured the 80-and-over singles title. Anderson led two-time defending champion and top seed Charleen Hillebrand of Long Beach, 6-3, 3-2 in the final when Hillebrand retired from the match due to an injury.
The 60 and Over singles final will be played on Saturday. Top-seeded Frances Chandler of Jackson, Tenn., will meet second-seeded Vicki Buholz of Dallas for the title at 10:30 a.m. In Friday’s semifinals, Buholz eliminated third-seeded Shelly Works of San Antonio, 6-0, 6-2 and Chandler outlasted fifth-seeded Gayle Prejean of Dallas, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in two hours and 25 minutes.
To view singles and doubles draws for each tournament division, click here.