Cordwell prevails over Richardson

Press, 22 December 1986, Page 48

Cordwell prevails over Richardson

PA Wellington Belinda Cordwell gave her career a lift yesterday when she overwhelmed Julie Richardson, 6-1, 6-2, to claim her second consecutive BP national women’s singles tennis title. Cordwell, aged 21, has had a miserable year on the international circuit and has seen her ranking of 63rd drop to about 210th, but she put all that behind her yesterday as she hit peak form against her Auckland rival. Cordwell (Wellington) served powerfully and deep; she hit a succession of groundstroke winners and she volleyed accurately. Richardson, the top seed for the event, was never in the hunt. She looked likely to be whitewashed in the first set till Cordwell took a tumble and momentarily lost her poise. In the second set Richardson trailed, 0-4, before

pulling back two games. The Aucklander had big service problems and was unable to get any rhythm with her toss-up. As well she seemed unsure whether to attack the net or stay back. A “I’m really pleased at how I played,” said Cordwell. “I was going so well that I just kept telling myself to stay cool. To be fair to Julie, she didn’t serve at all well and I was often able to chip and come in. “I feel good not having won a second national title, but also because I seemed to be with it mentally throughout. "Against Michelle Parun in the semi-final I didn’t play too well in the first set, but didn’t panic whereas maybe a few months ago I might have. In Saturday’s semifinals Cordwell survived a first-set blitz by Parun to win 7-6, 6-1, while Richardson only just held off the tenacious Southlander,

Liz Daly, 7-5, 7-6. Cordwell and Richardson won their third straight doubles crown when they comfortably beat Parun and Claudine Toleafoa, 6-2, 6-4. Men’s singles semifinals: K. Evernden (Gisborne) bt S. Guy (Wgtn) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3; B. Derlin (Auck) bt D. Mustard (Auck), 6-7, 6-4, 7-6. Women’s singles semifinals: J. Richardson (Auck) bt L. Daly (Invercargill) 7-5, 7-6; B. Cordwell (Wgtn) bt M. Parun (Hutt Valley) 7-6, 6-1. Women’s doubles final: Cordwell and Richardson bt Parun and C. Toleafoa (Auck), 6-2, 6-1. Men’s singles. final: Evernden bt Derlin 6-2, 64. Women’s singles final: Cordwell bt Richardson 61, 6-2. Men’s doubles final: Mustard and B. Steven (Auck) bt Guy and P. Smith (Wgtn) 7-6, 6-2.