Saturday saw the women’s and mixed doubles duos battle in divisional competition on day two of the 2021 Racquet War Tournament Series.

All six of the main draw matches of the women’s A Division I Bracket concluded in straight sets, with Jennifer Reese (Cary, N.C.) and Janice Fisher (Orlando) coming through in the tightest contest thanks to a 6-4, 6-4 effort over Orlando residents Carolyn Rotermund and Ingrid Clapp. Also advancing on that side of the bracket were Maureen De Rossi (Orlando) and Jennifer Myers (Winter Haven) after their 6-2, 6-3 victory against Lisa Steed and Amanda Miller from Ocala.

Orlando pairing Teri Kinder and Julie Fontaine cruised in their first round match over Tina Elortegui (Lakeland) and Elisa Buffington (Mulberry) 6-2, 6-0; setting up a semifinal showdown with them was Claire Fitzgerald (Orlando) and Sherry Cassidy (Windermere), who took down Gigi Rohling and Ellen Dyal by the same score line.

For the semifinals, Fitzgerald and Cassidy proved to be too tough for Kinder and Fontaine, securing their place in the divisional final with a 6-3, 6-1 triumph. There they will be across the net from De Rossi and Myers after their tightly-contested 6-4, 7-6 win over Reese and Fisher.

After one day of action in the round-robin women’s B Division I Bracket, the top spot will belong to either Claire Le Cheminant and Dana Keys representing Mount Pleasant, S.C., or Samantha Moody (Rockledge) and LaRee Moody (St. Augustine). Le Cheminant and Keys had to shake off a slow start, rallying past Monaliza Onia (Charlotte) and Norma Zitnik (Huntersville, N.C.) 5-7, 6-1, 1-0. They were much more commanding in defeating Maryland duo Laura Laabs (Gambrills) and Cindy Keegan (Severna Park) 6-1, 6-1. It was almost the exact opposite for Moody and Moody, who battled past Laabs and Keegan 7-5, 7-5 before dismissing Onia and Zitnik 6-3, 6-2.

Playing for the Mixed A Division I title Sunday morning will be Stuart and Denise Saiki of Orlando along with Raleigh natives Carl and Susan Tika. The Saikis began Saturday with a 6-1, 6-3 result against Heather and Barry Herman (Severna Park, Md.). Their semifinal opponents were Cre Still and Abbey Keister (Hendersonville, N.C.), who downed Fort Myers’ Bryan Biever and Ann Jackson in the opening round. The Saikis eased through to the final by an easy 6-2, 6-2 victory.

For the Tika pairing, they dropped just one game in defeating Kathy and John Rooney (Orlando) to advance to the semifinal round. Awaiting them was Kenny Oliver and Estefania Lacoa from Miami, also coming off an impressive effort over Zane Beaudreau and Linda Proudfoot (Jacksonville) 6-2, 6-1. In one of the most competitive matches of the day, the Tikas prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 1-0.

Peter/Lee defeated Justin/Amanda 6-4, 6-2
Brandt/Jessica defeated Joy/David 6-3, 1-6, 1-0

Only two matches were played in the premier division of the Mixed B Bracket. Maitland duo Peter and Lee Leerdam bested Justin Bradshaw (Fernandina Beach) and Julie Baker (Bogalusa, La.) 6-4, 6-2 to go along with Brandt and Jessica Butcher (Severna Park, Md.) outlasting Tampa’s Joy and David Allee 6-3, 1-6, 1-0.

The Tournament Series uses the Waterfall format, with every team playing two no-ad, eight-game pro sets on Friday in their respective Draw before being placed in a division based on the result of those two contests. All matches played on Saturday and Sunday will use regular scoring and be the best two-of-three sets with a match tiebreak in lieu of a full third set.

Racquet War was started in 2009 by Oakley Foy and Robin Barringer. Foy developed the Waterfall Bracket format with the players in mind, allowing everyone to play with the partner of their choice regardless of rating.

Sunday’s matches will begin at 9 a.m. For more information on the 2021 Racquet War Tournament Series Orlando, click here.