It’s a philosophy that works in every sport, but is rarely used: keep it simple.
That’s exactly what Yana Ruegsegger did Saturday. The 2002 Colorado State Open champion took just over an hour on a steamy Gates Tennis Center court to dispose of Rachel Sackmaster 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals of the women’s open draw.
“I was trying to play smart rather than play hard,” said Ruegsegger, who hasn’t played singles since winning it all four years ago. “I wanted to be efficient and win in the most efficient manner there is and not stay out there too long.”
Just nine months after the birth of her first child and battling not only 100-degree temperatures but also a minor cold, the Russian native and former standout at Kansas State limited the unforced errors and set up the points with ease.
Of her 18 winners, possibly the biggest was a backhand winner down the line that gave her the first break of the match in the sixth game of the first set.
“I knew the only way I could stay in this tournament was to really force myself to focus,” said Ruegsegger, “and not just throw away points, otherwise, I would be gone.
“I’m a little older, and a little wiser, and got the concentration going.”
Waiting to meet Ruegsegger in today’s title match is Denver City Open champion Rhona Kaczmarczyk. The 41-year-old Kaczmarczyk outlasted 19-year-old Tabatha Knop 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 to advance to her fourth State Open final. Kaczmarczyk already owns two titles at Gates (1997 and 1998) with her lone loss coming in 2002 to her opponent today.
“I’m looking forward to playing her,” said Kaczmarczyk, who won the Women’s 40 Indoor National Tournament last month in Detroit. “Hopefully it will be a different match than 2002.”
On the men’s side, City Open champion Bart Scott of Colorado Springs got all he could handle from sixth-seeded Lewis Miller. Scott, last year’s runner-up, moved on 6-4, 6-7 (7-4), 6-2 and will face top-seeded Jeremy Wurtzman in the final.
Wurtzman, of Rochester, N.Y., was not only battling the heat and the altitude, but a pro-Cory Ross crowd.
Ross, a Denver native and the 2004 champion of the event, finally gave in after three grueling sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0.
“It’s a little different game (at altitude), and I’ve been out here a month and am still trying to get used to it,” said Wurtzman, who withdrew from the City Open after the quarterfinals because of illness. “It has its advantages, because my serve is a lot bigger out here, and I can hit a few more winners, which is nice.”
Wurtzman, who spent some time on the ATP Tour after a career at Ohio State, was unfazed by the Ross supporters.
“That’s just the way it’s going to be, but I’m used to it after playing collegiate tennis,” he said. “But more than anything, I was just happy to see all the people out there.”
Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-820-5446 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
