FINE CHANCE WASTED

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30225, 2 September 1963, Page 6

FINE CHANCE WASTED

Crookenden In Good Form

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) FOREST HILLS, Sept. 1. The New Zealand Davis Cup player, I. S. Crookenden. lost a three-hour match with the experienced French international. P. Darmon, in the first round of the United States lawn tennis championships at Forest Hills, New York, on Saturday. America's chief hope of breaking Australia’s hold on the singles crown, C. McKinley, beat a Davis Cup player from Ecuador, E. Zuleta. 4-6, 3-6, 8-6, 6-3, 6-1. to enter the second round. McKinley played with a torn back muscle. Crookenden took the first set, 15-13. after Darmon had lost three set points when leading. 5- The veteran Frenchman apneared to lose heart and Crookenden moved up to 5-5 and went on to break Darmon'# serve and take the set in the 28th game. Serving well and whipping his top spin forehand down the line Crookenden took the next set at 6-3, and led into the third set. Then Darmon came back, forcing the New Zealander into errors. When Darmon finally took the set. 8-6. CrooKenden let him win the next, hoping that he could take the final set. But Darmon did not tire and Crookenden could not break through. Instead it was the Frenchman who. after missing one match point at 8-7. won, 13-15. 3-6. 8-6, 6- 10-8. Another New Zealander. J. R. McDonald, beat the French player. R. Abdesselem, 6-4, 6-4. 6-3. in a first round match on Friday. The Australian and Wimbledon champion. Miss M Smith, began the defence of her women's singles crown like a woman in a hurry. She won in 20 minutes. 6-0. 6-0, over the Danish player. Lisa Gram Andersen.