DAVIS CUP SINGLES

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28472, 30 December 1957, Page 11

DAVIS CUP SINGLES

U.S. Wins Last Two Matches

[N.Z Press Association-Copyright) MELBOURNE, December 29.

Australia beat the United States by three matches to two in the 1957 challenge round for the Davis Cup. The United States were yesterday three matches down in the series but brilliant victories by the veteran Vic Seixas and the United States’ new star, 22-years-old Barry Mackay, inlthe remaining two singles matches made it 3-2 in Australia’s favour. Seixas beat Mai Anderson and Mackay beat Ashley Cooper, both in fiveset battles.

Vic Seixas, in what was probably his last Davis Cup match, played courageous tennis to beat Anderson 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 0-6, 13-11 and give the United States its first win.

Playing with the temperature above the century mark, Seixas saved four match points in the marathon fifth set. Anderson looked the winner when he led 0-40 on Seixas’ service in the 12th game but Seixas came back to win the game. In the 16th game, Anderson again held match point but Seixas, recovering brilliantly, volleyed three winners to make it 8-8. Anderson cracked in the 23rd game when two missed forehand volleys and a double fault gave Seixas a break-through. He held his service , for match. Seixas deserved his victory as several unlucky line decisions went against him. Anderson began badly, but picked up after a sluggish first set to put presure on Seixas. In their four matches so far Anderson has failed to gain a victory over Seixas. In the second singles match, the American Barry Mackay beat Cooper 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

In a battle of big services. Mackay and Cooper also thrilled the capacity crowd with their brilliant

volleying and smashing as each strived to get the break through. In the vital set Cooper twice held advantage in the seventh game for a break-through on Mackay’s service. But Mackay served two aces and a beautiful backhand cross-court winner to hold the game. Mackay got the vital break through in the eighth game when two double faults and a missed smash by Cooper gave Mackay a 5-3 lead. Serving brilliantly, he held his service for set and match.