News

San Diego, Calif. — It was quite a week at the historic Balboa Tennis Club for the defending champion United States Maureen Connolly Cup (Women’s 55s) team which played in the 2012 International Tennis Federation Seniors World Team Championships.

Earlier in the week the top-seeded U.S. team, led by singles players Diane Barker of Daniel Island, S.C., and Susan Wright of Grand Junction, Colo., rolled over Sweden and Canada in group play without the loss of a set.

On Thursday, they blanked South Africa 3-0 in the semifinals, again without the loss of a set, to advance to Friday’s final against second-seeded Great Britain, who had shutout France 3-0 in their semifinal match.

On a nearly picture-perfect day, the Americans proved to be too tough as they swept the two singles matches to edge Great Britain 2-1 and successfully defend their Maureen Connolly Cup title.

In the opening match, Wright defeated Great Britain’s Sally Freeman, 6-1, 6-0, and Barker followed with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Frances Candy to clinch the title for the U.S.

Great Britain won the doubles point as Pat Wire and Anne Clark defeated Carolyn Nichols of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. and Leslie Airola Murveit of Portola Valley, Calif., 6-0, 3-6, 6-2.

“It was good, a littlenerve-racking. It’s always easy when Susan (Wright) gets her match first. It takes some pressure off me, so kudos to Susan for that,” Barker said after her title-clinching victory.

According to Barker, who only lost four games in her four singles matches, the key to her team’s success in San Diego this week was winning the singles and establishing an early lead in each match.

“You always want to win the singles. A lot of times it comes down to the doubles and then you’re not sure who to put in and who should play, so you’ve got to get the singles,” she said.

In other action at the 2012 ITF Seniors World Championships, the U.S. Fred Perry Cup (Men’s 50s) advanced to the final by defeating Italy 3-0 in the semifinals at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

Val Wilder of Tyler, Texas overcame a slow start in the opening singles match and defeated Italy’s Paolo Frasson, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Mike Fedderly of Palm Desert, Calif. eased past Giovanni Lelli Mami of Italy, 6-2, 6-2. Mike Tammen of Portland, Ore. and Peter Markes of Austin, Texas wrapped up the victory with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Italians Lelli Mami and Marco Armellini.

The defending champion U.S. Fred Perry Cup team will face France in the final on Saturday at 9:15 a.m. at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

The cup competitions are being played at the following locations:

Austria Cup and Maureen Connolly Cup – Balboa Tennis Club, 2221 Morley Field Drive, San Diego

Tony Trabert Cup and Young Cup – Barnes Tennis Center, 4490 West Point Loma Boulevard, San Diego

Italia Cup and Suzanne Lenglen Cup – La Costa Resort and Spa, 2100 Costa Del Mar Road, Carlsbad

Dubler Cup – Morgan Run Club & Resort, 5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe

Maria Esther Bueno Cup – San Diego Tennis & Racquet Club, 4848 Tecolote Road, San Diego

For up to date scores and results from the 2012 ITF Seniors World Team Championships, go to: itftennis.com/seniors

The United States team is the defending champion in the Young Cup, Margaret Court Cup, Maria Esther BuenoCup, Maureen Connolly Cup and Fred Perry Cup.

Tournament admission to watch the matches is free and open to the public. On-site parking is available at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club for a nominal fee. There is no charge to park at other tournament venues.

Recently designated 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. The club will be hosting the 123rd edition of The Pacific Coast Mens’ Doubles Championships in March 2012, and the USTA National Hard Court Championships for Women’s 50-90 age groups in May 2012.

For more information on Tennis Events at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club please visit www.LJBTC.com. For information on the ITF Senior World Championships please visit www.ITFSanDiego.com.

About the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Inc. – Celebrating its 75-year anniversary in 2010, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated companydedicated 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 historic 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.