AUSTRALIA’S GRIP ON CUP

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

AUSTRALIA’S GRIP ON CUP

“Not As Strong As Victory Indicates” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) MELBOURNE, December 29.

Australia’s grip on the Davis Cup, which it has now won for the last three years was not as strong as yesterday’s challenge round victory over the United States indicates.

In one of the most thrilling series—for the first time ever in a challenge round, all four singles matches went to five sets—the result could easily have favoured the United States. The United States, down 3-0 when yesterday’s final singles matches were played, won both. As on the first day’s play both singles matches hung in the balance and kept the capacity crowd of 21.000 in a continuous state of excitement.

In Mackay, the United States yesterday found a player around whom it can build its future Davis Cup teams.

Mackay already possesses possibly the biggest service in amateur tennis and has great potential.

For a big man his ground strokes in yesterday’s epic battle against Cooper were outstanding. If he can speed up his coverage of the court and be in position a little quicker for the volley, he could be a great success at the 1958 Wimbledon.

Not for many years have spectators. seen such blistering services, as those put down by Mackay and<

Cooper in the fifth set of their match yesterday. They repeatedly aced each other. In the other match, Vic Seixas. in which is expected to be his last Davis Cup match, had what a court announcer described as “his finest hour.” He refused to accept defeat at the hands of his youthful opponent Mai Anderson, the holder of the United States title. The crowd rose as one to cheer Seixas off the court. The challenge round showed that Australia has been able to produce two more stars in Anderson and Cooper to replace those lost to professionalism. But they, and Mackay, still lack experience and the 1958 Davis Cup gives other countries, particularly Continental countries, an opportunity to make a big bid to break the strangle-hold Australia and the United States have; held Lon the Davis Cup since 1935).