Lawn Tennis DAVIS CUP MATCHES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28975, 17 August 1959, Page 14

Lawn Tennis DAVIS CUP MATCHES

Australia Leads India

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) BOSTON, Aug. 15.

Australia moved to within one match of the 1959 Davis Cup challenge round by gaining a two to one lead over India in the second interzone final at Boston today. Australia's Wimbledon champions, Neale Fraser and Roy Emerson, beat Ram Khrishnan and Premjit Lal (India), 6-3, 7-5, 6-2, in 67 minutes. The doubles were played in 90 degree heat and accompanying high humidity. The match was highlighted by a reassuring return to form by Emerson, who was perhaps stronger than Fraser today. Emerson dropped only eight points in seven service games in the match. Neale Fraser, whose service lapsed slightly today, will meet Khrishnan in the first of the final two singles tomorrow. Australia’s other lefthander. Rod Laver, wifi then play Premjit Lal. At the end of the first day yesterday, Ramadhan Khrishnan put his country ahead briefly when he superbly overcame the Queensland left-hander Rod Laver. 6-1, 6-4, 8-10, 6-4, in the opening match of the best of five tie.

Neale Fraser evened the rubber less than two hours later when he beat the second Indian, 18-year-old Premjit Lal. 10-8, 6-4, 6-1. Fraser’s consistency and experience proved too much for Lal, who nevertheless made a fearless and promising Davis Cup debut. Khrishnan's brilliance in sizing up and then dissecting Laver’s game was the highlight of the opening dav. The smooth-stroking Indian stroked the ball beautifully throughout, never failed to play for the line, and his passing shots, both forehand and backhand, thrilled the small opening day crowd of 500. Laver failed to get on top of Khrishnan's slower second service and could not put away Khrishnan’s lofted service return, particularly from the Indian's backhand. Khrishnan on the other hand, drove the ball beautifully on the fast. green-topped court, and brought off some great passing shots from forehand and backhand down both lines.