Top photo: Ken Jantz and Chris Miller (from left) fought back to upend Jay Boyd and Steve Gore (at right) in the men’s singles 4.0 and above division of the NW La District Senior Olympics tennis tournament and share a winning moment with N. Bossier Tennis Complex pro Elana Engleman. Lower photo: Ellen Francis and Patty Guanella (at right) defeated Karen Jantz and Sue Prudhomme (from left) in the women’s 4.0 Doubles Championship and share the eye of the camera with tournament coordinator Gerry Robichaux.

Mike Hambree and Ellen Francis edged their way to the mixed doubles title and Chris Miller and Ken Jantz fought their way back to win the men’s doubles crown in the NW La. District Senior Olympics tennis championship at N. Bossier Tennis Complex May 13-16.

It took a tie-breaking method to determine the mixed doubles of the 4.0 and Above division after Hambree-Francis and teams of Tom and Patti Guanella and Jay Boyd and Sue Prudhomme each recorded 2-1 records in the four-team round robin. To forge the tie,  Hambree-Francis won a tense battle with Boyd-Prudhomme by taking a 10-point tiebreaker (10-6) after the teams split sets.

Miller-Jantz had an even harder road to travel for the men’s doubles title, beating Boyd-Steve Gore 6-7 (7-4), 6-4, 10-6.

Miller also won the men’s singles title, beating Tomas Poljak, 6-1, 6-1, in the pivotal match of the round robin. It was a case of the 52-year old Miller having too much speed and power for his 70-year-old opponent.

The District Olympics tennis took on an international flavor when Poljak beat Paul Cha in an opening round of men’s singles round robin. Poljak won 16 national titles when he played in his home country of Bosnia. Cha, who recently opened Avacado California Roll Sushi Restaurant in Bossier City, concentrated on baseball in his youth in Seoul, S. Korea and didn’t take up tennis until his late 40s.

4.0 Up Level

Mixed Doubles

Mike Hambree-Ellen Francis d. Tom and Patty Guanella, 6-3, 7-5; Jay Boyd-Sue Prudhomme d. Ken and Karen Jantz, 7-5, 4-6, 10-5. Guanella-Guanella d. Boyd-Prudhomme 7-6, 6-4; Hambree-Francis d. Jantz-Jantz, 6-3, 6-3. Guanella-Guanella over Jantz-Jantz forfeit; Boyd-Prudhomme d. Hambree-Francis 6-3, 7-6 (10-6. Gold: Hambree-Francis. Silver: Guanella-Guanella. Bronze: Boyd-Prudhomme (used tiebreaking method).

Men’s Doubles Final

Chris Miller-Ken Jantz d. Jay Boyd-Steve Gore, 6-7 (7-4), 6-4, 10-6.

Women’s Doubles Final

Patti Guanella-Ellen Frances d. Sue Prudhomme-Karen Jantz, 6-3, 6-3.

Men’s Singles

Tomas Poljak d. Paul Cha, 6-4, 6-3; Chris Miller d. Cliff Ashton 6-2, 6-3; Poljak over Ashton, 6-2, retired. Cha over Ashton, default, Miller d. Cha XXXXXX; Miller d. Poljak XXXXX. Gold: Miller. Silver: Poljak. Bronze: Cha.

3.5 and Below

Women’s Doubles

Sally Joiner-Jennie Johnson d. Tommie Sue Brooks-Barbara Gamble 6-0, 6-0; Paula Jones-Kay Richard d. Lenda Patterson-Patti Sauer 6-1, 6-2. Joiner-Johnson d. Jones-Richard 6-2, 6-4. Patterson-Sauer advanced over Brooks-Gamble 2-0 retired. Jones-Richard advanced over Brooks-Gamble forfeit. Joiner-Johnson d. Patterson-Sauer 6-3, 6-3. Gold” Joiner-Johnson. Silver: Jones-Richard. Bronze: Patterson-Sauer.

Men’s Doubles

Tom Guanella-Dick Bailey d. Sam Merritt-Thomas Knowles 6-3, 6-1; Merritt-Knowles d. Clarence Pinion-Gerry Robichaux 6-4, 6-2; Guanella-Bailey d. Pinion-Robichaux 6-4, 6-2. Gold: Guanella-Bailey. Silver: Merritt-Knowles.

Mixed Doubles

Lenda Patterson-Thomas Knowles d. Paula Jones-Sam Merritt, 6-3, 7-5; Merritt-Jones d. Gerry Robichaux-Clare Mizell 6-4, 6-0; Patterson-Knowles d. Robichaux-Mizell 6-2, 6-4.

Men’s Singles Final

Clarence Pinion d. Joe Rice, 6-3, 3-6, 10-4.