Tina Karwasky wraps up big month
When the next International Tennis Federation rankings are released in October, Tina Karwasky figures to see her name all the way at the top.
That should seem to be a logical progression, as Karwasky, a Glendale resident, is coming off not one but two defeats of the currently No. 1-ranked player in the world in her age group during a spectacular September that saw her capture a prestigious team championship, as well as a set of singles and doubles world titles over the course of two international tournaments.
Karwasky, currently ranked third in the world by the ITF in the 60-and-over age bracket, played No. 1 singles and led the United States Alice Marble Cup team to a top finish in the 32nd International Tennis Federation Super Seniors World Team Championships Sept. 10-15 in Umag, Croatia. She then turned around and competed in the ITF Individual World Championships in Umag that concluded on Saturday and won the 60-and-over singles and doubles titles.
In both the Super World Team Championships and ITF Individual World Championships, Karwasky posted singles wins over top-ranked Nora Blom of the Netherlands.
“I had a good two weeks,” Karwasky said. “I just happened to beat Blom two weeks in a row, so that’s pretty good. It’s pretty hard to beat someone twice two weeks in a row that’s really that good, of that caliber.
“It’s tough, it takes a lot of concentration and changing your strategy because she was set for me to play a certain way the second time and I had to change that.”
Karwasky defeated Blom for the second time in two weeks, 6-0, 6-4, on Friday to reach the finals of the ITF Individual World Championships and she defeated the No. 2 ranked player in the world, Hiedi Eisterlehner of Germany, 6-3, 7-5, to claim the title.
Later on Saturday, Karwasky competed alongside longtime partner Mary Ginnard in the doubles final and the tandem was victorious over Pauline Fisher and Shirley Fox of Great Britain, 6-1, 6-3.
The American duo had reached the championship round by defeating another British tandem, Christine Lockhart and Marjory Love, 6-1, 6-1, on Sept. 20.
The U.S. Marble Cup team breezed through its pool, which included Finland and Spain, without dropping a set and losing just seven of 79 games played.
Karwasky posted a 6-1, 6-2 win over Kerry Ballard in singles to help the U.S. clear the semifinal round with a 3-0 win over Australia before facing the Netherlands in the championship round.
“They were really good,” Karwasky said of the Netherlands.
But, once again it was a 3-0 sweep, with Karwasky leading the way in singles, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, against Blom.
“I had a good year, I’m not complaining,” Karwasky said. “I’m still standing on two feet.”