ITF Super-Seniors Blog: Fales, Bachmann, Hernando in Action in Croatia Today

Joe Bachman

Florida players were in action today in Umag, Croatia where they are representing the USA in international team competition.

Donna Fales (Coral Gables) is captaining and playing on the Queens Cup team (W75). She won easily against France today. Her teammate, Lynn Little, played a long match (eventually winning 46 64 76(5)) against Inger Delamare. Delamare was a doubles partner of Fales back when they played on tour.

Fales was ranked in the top 10 in singles in the USA in the 60s and reached the doubles final and won the mixed at what is now known as the US Open. The USA plays next in the semis Great Britain or Germany. Their tie was undecided when rain fell.

Rudy Hernando (Fort Lauderdale) is the number two player on the Bitsy Grant Cup team (M75). Today the USA faced France and Hernando dropped a close three setter 46 76 64. Hernando was down 51 in the second before fighting back to force a tiebreak, but commented that he played a poor tiebreak. He saved two match points at 54 in the second set before succumbing.

However, the USA advanced when Sarasota’s Joe Bachmann won at #1 singles. Due to the round robin format USA will advance regardless of the outcome of the doubles. They face #2 seeded Austria tomorrow in the semifinals.

All other Florida players had byes today, and most resume action tomorrow.