Four Top Seeds In Semi-Finals

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30482, 2 July 1964, Page 16

Four Top Seeds In Semi-Finals

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, July 1.

The women’s singles quarter-finals at Wimbledon yesterday proved a triumph for the championship committee when the top four seeded players reached the semi-finals.

The defending champion, Miss Smith (Australia) will meet the Californian, Miss B. J. Moffitt, whom she beat in the final last year, and a former title-holder, Miss M. E. Bueno (Brazil) will play Miss L. R. Turner (Australia).

Miss Smith had a bloodless victory in 15 minutes when her opponent, the Argentina champion, Miss N. Bayion, retired with the score 6-0, 2-0, to Miss Smith. Strained Tendon

Miss Bayion played against her doctor’s advice, with a strained tendon in her racket arm. She had a pain-killing injection before the match and had her elbow and forearm heavily strapped. The 21-year-old Buenos Aires girl said: “I could not hold the racket properly and there was no point in carrying on. I only hope that people will not think 1 pulled out because I was afraid of being beaten.” Miss Bueno, Queen of ■Wimbledon in 1959 and 1960, z beat her doubles partner. Miss R. Ebbern (Australia),

6-4, 6-1. But she will have to tighten up her game to overcome the solid and accurate driving of Miss Turner in the next round.

Miss Turner yesterday won a dour baseline duel against Miss N. Richey, of Texas, by 6-3, 6-4.

In the other quarter-final, Miss Moffitt out-volleyed the British left-hander, Mrs A. Jones, 6-3, 6-3. Third Meeting

Miss Moffitt was in sparkling form, both on the volley and overhead, against Mrs Jones. She also scored well with flashing passing shots on the backhand. It was the third successive meeting of the pair at Wimbeldon. Mrs Jones won in 1962 and Miss Moffitt was the winner in their semifinal last year. Miss Ebbern beat Miss Bueno when they clashed in the Italian championship in Rome last month. But yesterday the tall Australian virtually beat herself because of her very poor serving. She had a succession of double faults, including four in one game.