Lewis shows class to reach semi-finals

Press, 30 June 1983, Page 32

Lewis shows class to reach semi-finals

NZPA London In one of the most absorbing games in the history of Wimbledon, Chris Lewis, of New Zealand, proved his class when beating Mel Purcell in four sets to reach the semi-finals.

Lewis won the toss and held service in the first game in the first set in spite of making one double fault. Purcell made a strong opening taking his first game to love. However, Lewis broke him in only the fourth game putting the New Zealander ahead 3-1. Purcell got his revenge in the seventh game when Lewis contributed to his own downfall by making two double faults. With the games at 6-6, the tie-breaker was a closely fought encounter, which Lewis was unlucky to lose at 6-8. But in the second set, Purcell had lost his concentration and could not even manage to win one game. His backhand was weak and Lewis scored many points by playing to it. He won the second set 6-0.

Purcell offered rather more resistance in the third set, but still lost his service in the fifth and ninth games, and in spite of taking Lewi’s service game in the sixth (Lewis again double faulted and foot faulted), the New Zealander won in ten games at 6-4.

It was the fourth set that provided exciting play and fine shots, particularly Purcell’s forehand which he used successfully to send the ball just beyond Lewis’s reach—but not often enough to take the match. Lewis put on the pressure from the first game taking Purcell to deuce seven times before conceding him the game. He lost only one point in his next two service games and failed to take any off Purcell during his either. In this set, Purcell began to change tactics, slowing up and not rushing the net where he had made unforced errors previously. The change paid dividends and it looked as though Lewis was in for a difficult time. But in the seventh game, with Purcell serving, Lewis won the first two points and

with the score taken to deuce played two superb consecutive smashes to break service. The New Zealander held his service in the eighth aided by two aces, and with the score at 3-5 only had to hold service to take the set. Purcell held his service in

the ninth, but produced some textbook shots to break Lewis in the tenth. Both players held service in the next two games, Lewis only dropping one point in his. The tie-breaker however, made it obvious Lewis was the grass court player of the two. Purcell was first to serve, but lost the point to the New Zealander who quickly chalked up a five point lead. Purcell could not muster the shots to catch him up only managing to make another two points. Lewis won the tie-breaker conclusively 7-2 to take the match in 2hr and 40min. Lewis left the showcase, number one court, to a standing ovation from the crowd. Results:— Men’s singles, quarterfinals: Ivan Lendl (Czechoslovakia) beat Roscoe Tanner (U.S.) 7-5, 7-6, 6-3; Chris Lewis (New Zealand) beat Mel Purcell (U.S.) 6-7, 6-0, 6-4, 7-6. Men’s doubles, third round: Kevin Curren (South Africa)Steve Denton (U.S.) beat Jaime Fillol (Chile)-Frew McMillan (South Africa) 6-4, 6-1, 6-4; Mike Bauer (U.S.)-

Gilles Moretton (France) beat Pat Cash-Craig Miller (Australia) 6-3, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3; John Alexander-John Fitzgerald (Australia) beat Fritz Buehn-ing-Brian Teacher (U.S.) 4-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-4; Sam Giammalva (U.S.)-Henrick Sundstrom (Sweden) beat Andrew Jar-rett-Buster Mottram (Britain) 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2; Peter Flem-ing-John McEnroe (U.S.) beat Bernie Mitton-Ray Moore (South Africa) 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

Women’s singles, quarterfinals: Martina Navratilova (U.S., holder) beat Jennifer Mundel (South Africa) 6-3, 6-1; Yvonne Vermaak (South Africa) beat Virginia Wade (Britain) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2; Billie Jean King (U.S.) beat Kathy Jordan (U.S.) 7-5, 6-4; Andrea Jaeger (U.S.) beat Barbara Potter (U.S.) 6-4, 6-1.

Women’s doubles, third round: Claudia Kohde-Kilsch-Eva Pfaff (West Germany) beat Elise Burgin-Alycia Moulton (U.S.) 6-3, 6-4; Jo Durie-Anne Hobbs (Britain) beat Catherine Tanvier (France)-Andrea Temesvari (Hungary) 6-4, 6-4; Martina Navratilova-Pam Shriver (U.S.) beat Betsy Nagelsen (U.S.)-Virginia Wade (Britain) 6-2, 6-4.