ROME TENNIS TITLES

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30127, 10 May 1963, Page 7

ROME TENNIS TITLES

Crookenden Outplayed CN-kp.A. -Reuter— Copyright) ROME, May 9. The South African player, Miss R. Schuurman, yesterday became the first seeded player eliminated from the Italian lawn tennis championships in Rome. Miss Schuurman, seventh seed in the women’s singles, lost 6-1, 8-10, 2-6 to an American, Miss J. Alvarez, in the second round, In the third round of the men’s singles, I. S. Crookenden. of New Zealand, was easily beaten 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 by F. Gerdini. of Italy.

The Italian champion was too experienced for the lefthanded New Zealander and won without any apparent effort. Crookenden and his Australian partner, N. Holland, beat M. Pirro and S. Jacobini (Italy), 7-5, 6-4, 6-2. in the first round of the . men's doubles. A number of incidents again marked play in the titles yesterday. A young Australian, Miss C. Newman, “threw" the sec’ond set of her match with Miss S. Lazzarino (Italy) because she was upset by the spectators, who cheered every shot she missed. Miss Lazzarino won, 9-7, 6-0. There were interruptions to the men’s singles match in which the Australian, F. Stolle, beat Jacobini. 9-7, 6-2, 6-0.

At one stage the match was held up while a waiter filled the court refrigerator with soft drinks.

Ball boys frequently failed to pick up balls during the match and one wandered off the court, having to be recalled by Jacobini.