Bullfighter Spain’s No. 2 For Davis Cup Final Tie

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30943, 27 December 1965, Page 12

Bullfighter Spain’s No. 2 For Davis Cup Final Tie

f.N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

SYDNEY.

Spain yesterday received the best possible draw in the Davis Cup challenge round against Australia, which starts in Sydney today.

M. Santana, the number one Spanish player, was drawn to meet the number two Australian, F. Stolle, in the open? ing singles. The second singles todaywill be between the ! don champion, R. Emerson, and the number two Spaniard, i J. Gisbert, a 23-year-old law- 1 yer and amateur bull-fighter, i On the third day. Santana' I will play Emerson in the first I

match and Gisbert will play Stolle in the second.

The Spaniards named Santana and L. Arilla for the doubles on Tuesday but the Australians did not nominate a pair.

The rules provide that the final doubles pairing must be handed to the referee one hour before play begins on the second day. The Spaniards showed their

obvious relief when Santana was drawn to meet Stolle in the opening match. Critics have forecast that Australia should win five-love or four-one, with Spain's best chance of winning a rubber being Santana's match against Stolle.

Gisbert was worried by the prospect of having to play the opening match but he thinks he will do much better now

he has the second match on both days. Until a week ago Arilla was favoured to get the second singles play, then Gisbert began to find the form he displayed in beating the topranked American, R. D. Rolston, in Barcelona. Stolle must consider himself lucky to have been picked ahead of J. Newcombe, winner of the New South Wales singles title a few weeks ago. Newcombe beat the bigserving American. A. Ashe, in four sets in the N.S.W. final after Ashe had twice beaten Stolle easily in the Queensland and N.S.W. titles. Stolle. however, three times a singles finalist at Wimbledon. is a big occasion player and in the last week or so ihas been finding his touch.