This past weekend, the United States dominated Spain three matches to none to capture third place at the Suzanne Lenglen Cup being played in Perth, Australia. Rain caused a one day delay in play but when it resumed, Hilton Head, SC's Jolene Watanabe played inspired tennis and came back down 0-3 in the third set to defeat Anna Maria Segura-Perez 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
American Jamie Patterson, moving up from doubles, won at second singles in a long, tough match, giving the USA third place in the competition. The Spanish defaulted the doubles match in order to catch their flight back home.
USA def. Spain, 3-0
Jolene Watanabe def. Anna Maria Segura-Perez 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
Jamie Patterson def. Rosa Biulsa-Hierro of Spain, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
USA walkover in doubles
France won the overall championship this year, while Great Britain was runner-up.
The Suzanne Lenglen Cup for women in the 35 age group was first presented by the Federation Francaise de Tennis in 2001. The American team is selected by representatives of the USTA.
The USA beat the Netherlands in the final last year when the event was held in Antalya, Turkey.