Top Seniors Take to the Court at Beach & Tennis Club

Top-seeded Frances Chandler 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 6-0, 6-0 in a second-round match.

Playing on Court No. 2 under brilliant 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 in Jackson, TN, 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, CO, advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Anne Lowry of Oakland, CA.

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. and run through 4 p.m.

• Complete draws and results by age division