At least one GOLD, and a few more are possible in the World Seniors in Mallorca.
Progress report from 2009 Seniors Individual World Championships
Robyn Castle, 10-May-2009
| There will be an all-Australian Final once again in the 55WD. This time Helen Worland and Adrienne Avis will be against Lyn Mortimer and Sue Walter, themselves former World Doubles titleholders in the 50+ age group. Adrienne and Helen have played the last three Finals against Kerry Ballard and Liz Allan, so they will be facing different opposition, which will make it interesting. |
Adrienne Avis in action in Mallorca |
In the 50s, Helen Webb made it to the semi-final with a Canadian partner, which is the event in which we had hoped to see Kaye Nealon and Ros Balodis defend their title. Unfortunately, Ros injured her knee in the Teams’ week and had to with draw from Singles and Doubles. Kaye did well in getting to the quarters in the Singles, going down to the #1 seed, Di Fishburne.
The 45s saw Wanda Clothier and Kerrie Douglas (seeded #2) make it to the semi-final, losing to the Americans who were seeded #3. Jurate Hardy is still in both Singles and Doubles semi-finals, 40 Singles and 35 Doubles. Wanda is still featuring in the 45 Singles Consolation event.
Also going strong in the Consolations are Paul Kleverlaan 35s, Chris O’Mara, Michael Russell, 40s and Michael Collins in the 55s. Collins with Andrew Rae is still also in the 55MD semis, pitted against the French Renoult brothers, with whom they had great battles in the Teams last week. It was Marc Renoult who handed out Andrew’s first defeat since October last year, and then again this week, he put him out 6/3 6/3 in the quarters. Gary Thoroughgood is still there, however, in the 55 Singles, and if he wins against Brasilian Roger Guedes, he’ll be in the Final. Unfortunately Gary and his partner John Burness were knocked out of the Doubles by the Americans Landauer and Smith.
It’s not been a good tournament for our World 50s #1, Glenn Busby. He lost the Singles semi-final to unseeded Eduard Osta, and had to forfeit the Doubles when his partner Pierre Godfroid was injured. They were seeded #2.
In the 35 Men’s Doubles, Brett Patten and Martin Richards seeded #1 will meet the #2 seeds, German pair, Haun and Huning for the Gold medal. Chris O’Mara and Rino Traforti #3 seeds in the 40s, will play the semi-final against an unseeded pair.
Also to play an unseeded pair are Simon Arms and Bruce Ferguson in the 45 Doubles. We have no reps in the 50 Doubles, since Mike Ford and his partner were beaten by the #1 seeds, Fedderly and Wilder.
Interesting to note is the fact that of the 5 Men’s Singles events, only one of the #1 seeds is still alive, and in the Women’s, three of the top seeds are still in the event. All seedings this year have been based solely on ITF World rankings.
Go Aussies, Go! Have a good night’s sleep, and come out firing! We are with you all the way!
Robyn Castle
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