Women’s Singles Semifinal Pairings Set At USTA National 40 Hard Court Championships
Top-Seed Duncan and 2nd Seeded Bujan Advance to Men’s Quarterfinals
Top-seeded Dina McBride of Stevenson Ranch, Calif., and second-seeded Ros Nideffer of San Diego (Rancho Bernardo) dominated their opponents in Wednesday’s quarterfinal action to advance to the women’s singles semifinals of the USTA National 40 Hard Court Championships at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.
McBride, a two-time former tournament champion, used an all-court game to eliminate unseeded Mariko Atoji of San Diego, 6-1, 6-1 in 58 minutes. McBride will play her semifinal match on Thursday at 9 a.m. (PST) against third-seeded Fanny Gamble of San Rafael, Calif.
Nideffer, a former WTA touring professional, scored a convincing 6-0, 6-2 victory over unseeded Carolina Blouin of Augusta, Ga., to set up a semifinal match against fourth-seeded Hiromi Sasano of La Mesa, Calif., which is scheduled for Thursday at 9 a.m. (PST).
Earlier this year, the 56-year-old Nideffer captured the USTA National 50 Hard Court Championships at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. She entered this week’s National 40 tournament in an effort to raise the level of her game.
“I was playing a little bit more and I was hoping with that motivation to practice, that I would be able to up my game to a higher level. I’ve been trying to serve and volley a little bit more and trying to work on my first serve,” said Nideffer, who reached the Wimbledon singles quarterfinals in 1989 and 1988. “Knowing that I have to compete against younger players is a good motivation.”
Even though Nideffer has lost only three games in her two tournament matches this week, she is careful not to take her semifinal opponent lightly. “My next match is really tough. Hiromi is young and fit and hits the ball well. She’s match tough. I’ve got my work cut out for me,” Nideffer said.
In the men’s singles draw, top-seeded Stuart Ross Duncan of Laguna Beach, Calif., continued his strong play as he breezed past 14th seeded Kerry Safdie of San Diego, 6-0, 6-1 in fourth-round action. Duncan, who has dropped only two games in three matches, will play eighth-seeded Leon Bax of Mountain View, Calif., in a quarterfinal match on Thursday at 9 a.m. (PST).
Three-time defending men’s singles champion Tony Bujan faced a tough test in his fourth-round encounter, but came through with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 victory over ninth-seeded Ryan Pang of Mercer Island, Wash. Bujan, seeded second, will face fifth-seeded Jesse Walter of Mercer Island, Wash., in the quarterfinals on Thursday at 9 a.m. (PST).
For the latest tournament results and updated draws for each division, please go to:
http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=170902
The starting times for each day of the tournament will be as follows: Thursday, Dec. 1 and Friday, Dec. 2 – 8 a.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4 – 9 a.m. (All times are PST). Admission for spectators is free and onsite parking is available for a nominal fee.
Also on the agenda is the USTA National Father/Son and Grandfather/Grandson Hard Court Doubles Championships beginning Friday, Dec. 2, with matches concluding Sunday, Dec. 4. Among the entries in the USTA National Father/Son Championship are former ATP World Tour players:
Brad Gilbert – Former Top 5 singles player in the world and former coach of Andre Agassi and Andy Murray. He is currently a Tennis Analyst for ESPN.
Murphy Jensen – 1993 French Open Doubles Champion.
Jonathan Stark – Former No. 1 doubles player in the world.
Jeff Tarango – Former Top 50 in singles and Top 10 in doubles in the world.
Erik van Dillen – Represented the U.S. in 14 Davis Cup ties.
The Father/Son Championship has been held continuously at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club since 1959, and attracts the top father and son tennis teams in the nation. The Grandfather/Grandson Championship is a relatively new competitive division that started at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in 2003.
RadioTennis.com will broadcast the final weekend of the tournament. Live audio play-by-play coverage will be available on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4. Tennis broadcaster Ken Thomas will provide the web cast commentary. Go to RadioTennis.com for additional information.
Designated one of the Top 100 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 128th edition of The Pacific Coast Mens’ Doubles Championships in March 2017, and the USTA National Hard Court Championships for Womens’ 50-90 age groups in May 2017.
About the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Inc. – 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 The 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 www.LJBTC.com.