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La Jolla, Calif. — Top-seeded Frances Chandler of Jackson, Tenn. got off to an impressive start in the 50 and over division of the National Senior Women’s Hard Court Tennis Championships at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club as she eliminated Lynn Ellis of Poway, Calif., 6-0, 6-0 in a second-round match.

Playing on Court No. 2 under brilliant sunny skies, Chandler, who received a first-round bye, controlled the tempo of the match from the baseline. When Ellis attempted several drop shots to change pace, the fleet-footed Chandler chased them down and responded with winners.

Chandler, who works as a pharmacist, has captured 12 USTA national championships and has represented the United States in International Tennis Federation World Cup Team competition seven times.

“Lynn is tough. I really had to stay focused the entire time,” Chandler said after the match. Despite her convincing victory, Chandler isn’t thinking about winning the tournament. “I go just one day at a time. If I get through one day, I’m very happy.”

Chandler, a member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, is playing in her first year in the 50 and over division. “I really love senior tennis. I love tennis more now than when I played in college. You come to these tournaments and see your friends and get to hang out with them,” she said.

She credits her physical fitness and making changes to her game for her on-court success. “I put a lot of emphasis on being in shape. I’m also trying to keep the ball higher and deeper,” Chandler added.

Chandler will face Tracey Thompson of San Diego in a quarterfinal match scheduled for noon on Wednesday. Thompson defeated fellow San Diegan Nancy Abler-Sanchez, 6-4, 6-0 in a second-round match.

In other action in the women’s 50 and over division, second-seeded Susan Wright of Grand Junction, Colo. advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Anne Lowry of Oakland, Calif.

Tennis legend Dorothy “Dodo” Cheney of La Jolla will play her first match of the tournament on Wednesday at 2 p.m. when she takes the court for the women’s doubles final in the 90 and over division. Cheney, who was born in 1916, has captured more than 380 national championships. In 1938, she became the first American woman to win the Australian Championships. Cheney is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Events offered at this week’s USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Tennis Championship include both singles and doubles in the 50 and over, 60 and over, 70 and over, 80 and over, and 90 and over age groups.

The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s 39th Annual Spring Senior Championships for men is also taking place in conjunction with the women’s event. The men’s events will include singles and doubles for 60 and over, 65 and over, 70 and over, 75 and over, 80 and over, and 85 and over age groups.

Admission to this week-long tournament is free and open to the public with a snack bar and dining facility on-site. On-site parking is available for a nominal fee. Daily matches start at 8 a.m.

For complete tournament draws, go here.

Named “Club of the Year” for 2011 by the San Diego District Tennis Association, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is designated one of the “Top 25 Tennis Resorts” by Tennis Resorts Online. In addition to hosting the USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Tennis Championships, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club also hosts the USTA National Men’s & Women’s 40 & Over Hard Courts, and the USTA National Father & Son Hard Court Championships, scheduled for November 28 – December 4, 2011.

The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club has also been home to the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championships since 1942. The Annual Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship is one of the five-oldest tennis events in the world and has a rich tournament history. First held in 1890 at The Hotel Del Monte in Monterey, California, the event was created to promote the sale of real estate on the Monterey peninsula. The original concept pitted the best players from the East versus those from the West. This coast to coast rivalry was the inspiration for the Davis Cup. Past winners of the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship include Jack Kramer, Ted Schroeder, Bobby Riggs, Pancho Segura, Don Budge, Tony Trabert, Stan Smith, Bob Lutz, Arthur Ashe, Dennis Ralston, John McEnroe, and many other world-class champions. This last March, Bradley Klahn and Ryan Thacher of Stanford teamed to capture the 2011 Championship.

The Club also hosted the 2008 Fed Cup, and was also the proud host of the 2006 Davis Cup First Round Tie between the United States and Romania.

About the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Inc. – One of California’s most treasured beachfront resorts for more than 75 years, 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 landmark 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.

Tuesday, May 10 – RESULTS

Women’s 50 Singles — Second Round

Women’s 60 Singles — Second Round

Women’s 70 Singles — Second Round

Women’s 80 Singles — First Round

Women’s 90 Singles — Round Robin

Mary Mentzer, North Fort Myers, Fla., def. Patricia Yeomans, Los Angeles, 6-2, 6-1

Men’s 70 Singles — Quarterfinals

For Tuesday’s Complete Scores, go here.