DAVIS CUP TO AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28471, 28 December 1957, Page 9

DAVIS CUP TO AUSTRALIA

Anderson And Rose Win Doubles (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) MELBOURNE, December 27. Australia retained the Davis Cup when it won the doubles in the 1957 challenge round, played at Kooyong today.

The Australian team, Mervyn Rose and Mai Anderson, beat the surprise United States team, Vic Seixas and Barry Mackay, in straight sets. They won 6-4, 6-4, 8-6.

Australia yesterday won the first two singles matches and today’s win gave them a 3-nil lead In the series.

The Australians combined perfectly, with Rose dominating the net with vicious smashes and clever interceptions which upset the Americans.

Seixas played reasonably well until he cracked in the third set, but early in the match he was little more than a spectator as the Australians turned their full attack on the inexperienced Mackay. Only once, when Rose dropped liis service in the third set, did the Americans look like making a fight of it. In the first two sets there were only two service breaks—each time it was Mackay’s service—but these were sufficient to enable the Australians to gain a two sets lead. The match appeared to be all over when Seixas dropped his service in the fifth game in the third set. But Rose, whose services until then had been devastating, suddenly erred and with netted volleys dropped his service to enable the Americans to level at four-all. Anderson, whose play had improved as the match progressed, returned the service brilliantly in the 13th game to give the Australians another break through on Seixas’ service.

The 1957 Davis Cup battle was all over when Anderson held his service to love to give the Australians the third set, 8-6.

The usually nonchalant Australian captain, Harry Hopman, jumped up from his sideline chair to pat his players on the back. Australia’s win today meant it had now held the Cup for three years—a record previously achieved only by Britain in 1904-06. Today’s match Was played in temperatures near 100 degrees. It was watched by 21,000 persons in a packed stadium. The Americans looked most disappointed as they left the court. The series so far has been conducted without any unpleasantness. Displays of temperament, which have often featured in clashes between the Australians and the Americans in recent years, have been noticeably absent. Captains’ Comments

Harry Hopman, commenting on today’s win, said he believed that Australia’s future Davis Cup prospects were particularly good. “Cooper and Anderson, still only 21, must improve and we have good young players like Laver and Emerson coming along. Rose is playing well enough now to be a reserve singles player,” he said. Hopman refused to discuss the team tactics he used today. Asked what plan the Australians had played to, Hopman said: “I can’t tell you that. We might be using the same plan pext year.” Hopman picked Rose as the best player on the court in today’s doubles, but said the strength of Anderson’s play and his powerful service had been important factors in Australia’s win. “Anderson was able to do things which gave Rose a chance at the net.” he said.

The Australian doubles pair had played as well as—even better than—he had expected. Bill Talbert, the captain of the United States team, said: “I gambled by playing this inexperienced doubles pair and I lost. But if I had to make the decision again, I would do the same thing I used what I thought was our best pair.” Talbert said Mervyn Rose .was the menace.

“Rose has such a complete understanding of the game of doubles that he was able to put pressure not only on the inexperienced Mackay but also on the veteran Seixas.” he said.