By J. Fred Sidhu
INDIAN WELLS, CALIF. – A fantastic weekend of tennis ended as the men’s Middle States team defeated Southern, 2-1 and the women’s Florida team overcame Southern 2-1 to win the 2008 USTA League presented by Chrysler 4.0 Senior National Championships.
The matches, which were played under bright sunny skies at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, were highlighted by vintage senior tennis with long rallies and exciting points throughout the Championships.
In the men’s final, Middle States and Southern were tied at 1-1 after splitting the number two and number three doubles matches. In the number one doubles match, Mihail Anghel and Bruce Becker representing Middle States scored a come from behind, 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (8) victory over Southern’s James Fuzy and Frankie Manning to clinch the championship, 2-1.
In a thrilling women’s final, the Florida USTA section team completed an impressive run to the championship. With the scored tied at 1-1, the outcome was decided in the number three doubles match. With their teammates cheering them on, Florida’s Susan Hobbs and Ann Worthington defeated Southern’s Dell Kelly and Linda Carbone, 7-6, 4-6, 1-0 (6).
The third and fourth place men’s playoff match featured both California teams. The Southern California USTA section captured third place with a 2-1 victory over the Northern California USTA section.
The women’ third and fourth place playoff saw the Eastern USTA section edge the Northern California USTA section, 2-1 to finish in third place.