The third annual USTA Combined Age National Hard Court Husband & Wife Championships were held last weekend at the Riviera Tennis Club and, just as in previous years, local duos ended up winning on their home courts. There were three age divisions with the couples’ combined ages of 100, 120 and 140 years. Doubles teams came from all over the country–Massachusetts, Texas, Las Vegas and, of course, California. Riviera members Mike and Judy Tarre showed resilience in winning the 120 consolation title, defeating Heather and John Fiscalini of Lemoore, California, 6-4, 7-5, in the finals. The Tarres suffered a tough 6-1, 6-2 first-round loss to Laura and Art Thomson of Centennial, Colorado, but rebounded to advance through the back draw. Meanwhile, in the 140 division, Palisadians Joan and Larry Baker won the bronze ball for third place. The match of the tournament was their three-and-a-half hour 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 first-round victory over Gretchen and Larry Huebner of Fresno. The Bakers went on to beat Janie and Leon Fenwick of Chatsworth in the third-place match–a win that was especially sweet for Joan, as her first national championship ball came on her 75th birthday. Already, local players have made quite a mark on the growing event. In 2007, the Tarres reached the quarterfinals of the 120 age division while fellow Riviera members Mani and Noushin Morshed took third place. Last year, longtime Palisadians and Riviera members John and Barbara Leonard won bronze balls in the 140 division. Riviera Tennis Director Pam Austin once again ran the tournament.
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