State's top player can't play this accomplishment down

By NANCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 16, 2001

Ria Graham considers herself the new kid on the block in singles competition, but her results have placed her at the top of the heap with the veterans.

The USTA Florida Section office released adult rankings this month, and Graham led the list in the women's 60 and older division. This accomplishment is very impressive for someone who started playing tennis only about 10 years ago.

"I like to play things down, but I am proud of this," Graham said of her ranking. "I have been working on improving my technique and trying to keep alert on the court. I've taken lessons from Cruise Furious here in New Port Richey, and he's helped me a lot."

Graham played in three state-sanctioned tournaments during the past ranking season, winning two and reaching the round of 16 in the third. Last month in Orlando, Graham defeated the No. 7 and No. 2 seeds to win the Grand Dames tournament.

Meeting, challenging and socializing with the players are some of the things Graham likes about tennis. "It's fascinating to me to watch some of the players in these events," Graham said. "Whether they're competing in the 60s, 70s or 80s divisions, you see good matches and meet a lot of different people. The women come from all over and have wonderful comraderie together."

Other area players earning a No. 1 state ranking are: Jim Vuille (90s), Bob Meyerdierks (75s), Jeff Davis (40s) and Jeff Chambers (35s).

Ranked in the top 10 are Theo McDougal (65s), Carol Fontaine (55s), Sophie McCook (45s), Allegra Campos (40s), Joan Simmons (30s), Bob Graham, who is Ria's brother-in-law, (85s) Will Roeper and Ed Hamilton (60s), Mike Reilly and Bill Christensen (50s), Jeff Winkler (40s) and Mark Taylor (30s). JUNIORS COMPETE: Advancing past the first two rounds of the state's designated singles tournament played in Tampa and Clearwater to reach the round of 16 in their age divisions were Sukhwa Young, Konstantin Lazarov, Goran Dragicevic and R.J. Murray in the boys 18-and-under; Alexandria Liles, Kelly Nelson, Jennifer Dent and Tiffanie Kalvoda in the girls 18s; Yuichi Uda and Haley Dodson the boys 16s; Erin Heeder and Bugsy Bauer in the girls 16s and Marc Spicijaric in the boys 14s.

Competition concludes late Monday.

SENIOR LEAGUES: Innisbrook's 3.5 women's team moved into first place in the Senior Doubles League with a 3-0 victory over a team from the St. Petersburg Tennis Center last weekend. This weekend, Innisbrook travels to Timber Pines Tennis Club, which is second in the division. In men's competition, both Innisbrook teams won. Innisbrook raised its record in the 3.5 Seniors North division to 5-1 with a 3-0 win over Countryside Country Club. This weekend, Innisbrook faces Timber Pines, which also is 5-1. The second Innisbrook team defeated Shipwatch Tennis Club 2-1 in the 3.5 Central division to raise its record to 4-2. This weekend, Innisbrook faces winless McMullen in Clearwater.

SUPER SENIORS: Innisbrook's 3.5 men's team opened its season by defeating Royal Racquet Club 2-1. The team plays Timber Pines today. A second Innisbrook team lost 3-0 to Timber Pines and next plays Royal Racquet Club.

For information on the super senior women's division, call Josie Doucette at (813) 862-1656.

NET SHOTS: John Miller of Hudson teamed with Sameer Kero of Spring Hill to win the men's doubles division in the K-Swiss Doubles Tournament at Glen Lakes. Nancy Amiano of Hudson paired with Brooksville's Nola Rasper to reach the semifinals.

COMING UP: The K-Swiss Masters Championship Invitational Tournament is this weekend at the Racquet Club in St. Petersburg. The invitational features winners from the three previous sessions of K-Swiss Leagues. Sign up by calling (727) 865-0615.

The K-Swiss Tennis League spring session begins Feb. 24 with registration continuing until Feb. 8. Call (727) 865-0615. ... National Tennis Rating Program evaluations this month include Jan. 23 at the McMullen Tennis Complex (669-1919) and Jan. 27 at Countryside Country Club (796-1136). ... Junior clinics are at the Pasco-Hernando Community College courts from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Saturday. Call the school for information.

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