LAWN TENNIS Fine Battle In N.Z. Davis Cup Doubles

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28267, 3 May 1957, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS Fine Battle In N.Z. Davis Cup Doubles

[Specially written for the N.Z.P.A. by

Captain of the

New Zealand Davis Cup team.]

J. W. GUNN,

BEIRUT, April 24 After losing the singles, the Lebanon payed E. Attieh, the finest doubles player in the country, and his combination with Khouri was excellent.

spite of his good form. It kept Khouri somewhat cold so that he did not receive throughout the match sufficient shots to really gain top form. Khouri, of course, is really the much better player, but it was Attieh, carrying the Lebanon’s last hopes, who played the better game. Fortunately the Lebanon did not reach a set point to give tl em a chance of a two-set lead, but it was nevertheless very close. At 10-all we secured the necessary service break, and with Attieh fading just a little and now beginning to despair, we won the set, 12-10. From then on Parker began to get more pace into his service returns, something that was lacking in the first two sets. He also began to hit his vollbys and the New Zealanders started to look like a doubles team. We took the third set at 6-3 and, after the interval maintained our good form to win the fourth and last set at the same score—and the rubber was New Zealand’s. New Zealand at least won a diplomatic victory on the third day. of the tie. After the furore of our default in the first instance, we were keen to make the best of amends to the friendly and hospitable Lebanese people. After Robson had won the fourth'match in straight sets against Khouri. who did not produce, his best with the tension of the tie over, our team assembled on the court and the manager (Mr J. Mercer) took over the microphone to thank the Lebanese for their hospitality and Sportsmanship and presented a number of gifts, an action greatly appreciated by the crowd.

Attieh played as if inspired and the crowd shouted encouragement to him. He played himself to near exhaustion - but produced many brilliant shots. Khouri, encouraged by Attieh’s bold approach, gave him good ' support and they took the first set from Robson and Parker, 8-6. A battle royal then developed. It was shot for shot, service for service, volley for volley, starting from 1-all to 8, 9 and 10-all. Our tactics were to play to Attieh in

After this, Gerrard was blooded in Davis Cup competition. He played a young Lebanese boy, Maroglian, who substituted for Hajjar also to gain experience. Davis Cup match tension is an extraordinary thing. Even in this the fifth match, Gerrard, representing his country for the first time, was very nervous. After the first game I could not help but laugh when at the crossover he said: “Gee, I’m shaking all over.” I told him to take slow deep breaths and he began to play as if the devil was after him. He won the first two sets at 6-0 and 6-1 and kept playing with a .concentration that would have befitted a tie with the stage at two sets all. At 5-2 in the third one would have thought his opponent was breathing down his neck and he won 6-2.

Australians Win In Paris

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

PARIS, May 1. Only three hours after arriving from the United States, the Australians, Mervyn Rose and Don Candy, today battled their way into the last eight in the men’s singles in the Paris international lawn tennis championships.

Rose beat Gerard Pilet. a French Davis Cun player, 3-6, 6-4. 8-6, 6-1. Candy had a five-set tussle with Robert Abdesselam. another French International, before winning 4-6 6-3, 4-6. 6-2, 6-2.

CYCLING

Hornby Club’s Officers Officers elected at the annual meeting of the Hornby Cash Cycling Club were:— Patron, Mr L. Steel; president. Mr D. Hewer; life members, Messrs P. G. Hack and W. Woodgate; vicepresidents, 10 were elected; secre-tary-treasurer, Mr R. Ellen; committee, Messrs A. Chapman, R. Lucas. P. Tongue. K. Wilson, S. Weir, K Shadwell, B. Woodgate; club captain. Mr R. Lucas; deputy-club captain. Mr K. Shadwell; timekeeper, Mr P. Tongue; judges. Messrs F. Chapman (convener), W. Woodgate. K. Wilson; handicapper, Mr R. Ellen; referee. Mr S. Weir; assistant referee, Mr R. Ellen: cycle inspectors. Messrs W. Lucas and F. Chapman; delegates to centre, Messrs D. Hewer and R.