Patience Rewarded as Malin Avenges Loss After 27 Years

Gene Malin, playing his former high school rival for the first time in 27 years, defeated Jim Rombeau of Houston, 6-4, 6-3, Friday to advance to the semifinals of the National Senior Hardcourt tennis tournament in the 45-plus category at Westlake Swim & Tennis Club.

Malin, of Woodland Hills, lost to Rombeau for the 1966 City Section singles championship when Malin played for Grant High and Rombeau played for North Hollywood.

Charles Hoeveler of Ross, Calif., defeated Neal Norman of Columbus, Ohio, 6-3, 6-2, to advance. Dave Bohannon of Garden Grove beat Cliff Price of Tulsa, Okla., 4-6, 6-3, retired, to reach the semifinals.

The fourth semifinalist, Tom Leonard of South Pasadena, defeated Ric Johnson of Agoura, 6-1, 6-2.