AUSTRALIA NEEDS A MIRACLE

Chronicle (Levin), 27 December 1946, Page 5

AUSTRALIA NEEDS A MIRACLE

Harry

Ilopman,

(By

former Ausfralian

Davis Cup cnptain.) Received Thursdav, 10.40 p.m. MFI-BOUKXF, Dec. 26. Aiistralta is' twjof matclies down to United States tui d: three to plav, in the cliallenge round of the 1946 Davis Cup conqietition and I tliink a near miracli is needod to keep the cup in Australia. Ted Schroeder played too cleverly foi •lolin Bromwicli in a matcli remarkable for its ftuetuations of fortune, artd Jack Kramer played beautifully controlled tennis to look Jike a master beuting a pupil 111 Diniiy Pails. Thc surprising defeat of Broniwich . i.n the lirst matcli in partieular, mav quite easily seal tlie fate of the destinatioii of the Davis Cup. The judguient of the United States selector, Walter Pate, in naining Schroeder in preference to the more generally favoured Frauk Parker, was virtdicated. The Bromwicli match was one fhat Australia was counting on 111 vvhat wa.-' eonsidered to be a verv ciose tie. Schroeder, playing aggressively almost throughout, upset Bromwieh '3 rhytlur. and accuracy and showed light ing qualities equal to tliose of tlie Aus tralian champion. A remarkable fea ture of tlie matcli was the number of vital points whieh Schroeder won after chasing wildly. He showed exceptionai control oft' botli wings, especiaily his baekhand when run'ning afc full pace. Kramer played smootlily throughout aud although tlie first and third sefs were elose, the American champion never looked like being beaten. Australia niust not yet give up hope. Remember, Australia was down two matches to love after the iirst day's play of the 1939 challenge round but won the next tliree matches to win the eup. The match was played in good eonditions. It was hot but there was little vvind to upset the accuracy of the players. Tlie attendance of approximately • 14,000, including officials, was a record for a tennis match in Australia. today's doubles match After today's matches Walter Pate, the American non-playing ckptain,named Kramer and Schroeder to play the doubles tomprrow against Aua: tralians Bromwicli! and Quist.