ROME TENNIS TITLES

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30128, 11 May 1963, Page 5

ROME TENNIS TITLES

Confusion And Arguments

(N.Z J I .A.-Reuter—Copyright) ROME, May 10. Another day’s play was marred by organisational confusion and arguments, on and off the court, when the Italian lawn tennis championships

were continued in Rome yesterday. At least two umpires arrived half an hour late for their matches—one had overslept—and some matches were played without ball boys. An Australian, K. Fletcher, threatened to punch a spectator on the nose during his men’s singles match against the Brazilian Davis Cup player, C. Fernandes. Wit!) the score at one set all, Fletcher turned fiercely on a spectator who was chattering loud'ly with Fernandes. The man made a rude remark when Fletcher told him to keep quiet. Fletcher called loudly: 'One more like that and I'll punch you on the nose.” He went on to win the match 11-9. 4-6. 4-6, 6-1. 6-2. The British player, R. K Wilson, stormed off another court after be and an Australian. M. Mulligan, had practised for 30 minutes while waiting for an umpire. He came back later, but Mulligan won easily, 6-3. 6-1 6-2. The top men’s seed, R. Emerson (Australia), won his thirdround match against P. Barthes, of France. 6-2, 6-3. 6-3. The former Wimbledon champion, J. Drobny. came from two sets behind to beat W. Alvarez (Colombia). 4-6. 2-6. 6-3, 6-3.

6-3. M. J. Sangster. of Britain, had a comfortable 6-2. 6-3, 6-4 win over an American. R Fisher, in the third round. But his fellow countryman. W. A Knight, was easily beaten, 6-3 6-1. 6-4. by R. Hewitt, of Australia.