Lawn Tennis N. FRASER BEATEN

Press, Volume C, Issue 29540, 15 June 1961, Page 5

Lawn Tennis N. FRASER BEATEN

Kent Defeat By Japanese A.•Reuter—Copyrtgntt LONDON, June 13 The Wimbledon champion N. Fraser, eraabed to defeal in the first round of the Keni lawn tennis championships at Beckenham today. The Australian, w+ic has been troubled by a leg injury. was outlasted and outplayed by a 24-year-old Tokyo clerk. Osamu Ishiguro. playing in only his third tournament on grass. Ishigtiro, who did not think he could possibly win until he was at match point—"even then I thought it would no’, be true"—defeated Fraser 11-13. 6-3, 6-4. It was a world-class performance by the Japanese No 2 player, who tost the first set only after a tremendous struggle. He had made the ftrsit break to lead 3-1. was immediately pulled back to 3- and then matched Frasei serve for serve over the next 16 games before the Australian was able to break through again and take thi set. But instead of fading away, as many others might have done, the ice-cool Lshiguro came back with added strength. Chasing everything, and making several fantastic retrieves, he gradually took a commanding hold on the game. The New Zealander, L. A Gerrard made short work of his first opponent, when he beat the American, F. Froshling, 6-4, 6-2. Russian tennis players met with an unhappy start in their return to British tournaments. The 20-year-old Russian men's champion T. Lejus, and the Russian Girls' champion, G. Baksheeva, were both beaten in the first round. Results included:— Men’s Singles First Round. —L. Gerrard (New Zealand) beat F. Froehling (U.S.A.). 6-4. 6-2; E Scott (U.S.A.) beat M. Otway New Zealand), 8-10, 6-3, 7-5; I. Crookcnden (New Zealand) beat C. Graebner (U.S.A.). 6-3, 7-9. 6-3; G. Mulloy (United States) beat J. McDonald (New Zealand). 8-6, 6-1. Second Round. —Gerrard beat G. Bluett (Middlesex), 4- 6-3. 6-2; R. Howe (Australia) beat Crookenden, 6-1. 6-1. Men’s Doubles First Round.—K. Newcombe and K. Fletcher (Australia) beat P. Dibley (New Zealand) and R. Campbell (South Africa), 6-1. 6-2.