Kathy Rinaldi laughs after nearly hitting Catarina Lindqvist with a shot. (Yuli Wu photos) | ZOOM |

        Kathy Rinaldi issued the warning in advance of tonight's championship match of the Tennis Masters Series Senior Championship.

        “When I played in the 1997 U.S. Open, they asked if I went by my maiden or married name,” Rinaldi said. “I told them that if I played well to start with Rinaldi, but if I played poorly to switch to Stunkel, which would fit.”

        A finalist for the third consecutive year, Rinaldi and partner Tom Gullikson will go after the championship and the $24,000 prize money that goes to the winning team.

        But to break the losing streak, Rinaldi must defeat defending champions Gigi Fernandez and Jaime Fillol.

IF YOU GO

Rinaldi watches Tom Gullikson lunge for a return.   • Seniors Championship: 7 p.m. today. Tickets $8 $12.   • Qualifier: 10 a.m. sessions today and Sunday. Adult tickets $10, kids 14 and under admitted free.   • Main draw: Tennis Masters Series Cincinnati tournament begins play Monday. Ticket prices range from $18 to $40, depending on the session (tickets remain for all sessions). Call (513) 651-0303 or (513) 562-4949 for info or tickets.   Check the bracket

        Rinaldi and Gullikson defeated the previously undefeated team of Catarina Lindqvist and Gene Mayer 8-5 Friday at the ATP Tennis Center.

        Fernandez and Fillol beat 1998 Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna and Owen Davidson to advance to the championship.

        Columbus, Ohio, native Ann Grossman and crowd favorite Mansour Bahrami will play for third place at 7 p.m.

        Although four teams (M. Fernandez/Solomon, Grossman/Bahrami, G. Fernandez/Fillol and Linqvist/Mayer) finished with identical 1-1 records, the team with the most games won minus games lost advances to the finals.

        The 34-year-old Rinaldi won three singles and four doubles championship during her professional career that concluded in 1997 at the U.S. Open.

        “First of all, I'm a mom but I've also stayed active by participating in corporate functions and in television,” Rinaldi said.

        Rinaldi, who played with Dick Stockton in 1999 and Mansour Bahrami in 2000, appeared in top form.

        Time after time, Rinadi came up with outstanding shots that drew the applause of the crowd. She also held serve three times and came up with the clinching shot in the first service break of Lindqvist at 2-1.

        “Kathy has always been a good doubles player,” Gullikson said.

        Prior to this tournament, Gullikson played at Wimbledon and plans to team with Stockton in doubles at the U.S. Open in September.

        “All former professionals who played on the tour never lose the competitive edge,” Gullikson said. “Any time you step on the court, you want to win but in the right way and with class.”

        Friday's results

        Rinaldi/Gullikson (2-0) d. Lindqvist/Mayer (1-0) 8-5
        Grossman/Bahrami (1-1) vs. M.J. Fernandez/Solomon (1-1) 8-3
        G. Fernandez/Fillol (12-0) vs. Novotna/Davidson (0-2) 8-1

        Tonight's schedule
        7 p.m.: Grossman/Bahrami vs. Lindqvist/Mayer.
        8 p.m.: Rinaldi/Gullikson vs. G. Fernandez/Fillol

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