N.Z. Lost Tennis 4-0

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31672, 7 May 1968, Page 19

N.Z. Lost Tennis 4-0

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) ZAGREB (Jugoslavia). Jugoslavia beat New Zealand, 4-0, in their first round Davis Cup match. Jugoslavia will play Russia in the second round.

B. Jovanovic (Jugoslavia) beat O. Panin (New Zealand). 6-0, 6-1. 6-2 and B. E. Fairlie (New Zealand) was leading Z. Franulovic, of Jugoslavia, 2-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, 2-1, on Sunday when the match was stopped because of darkness.

It will not be resumed, according to an agreement reached by coaches of the two teams, and the official result is 4-0 for Jugoslavia. Panin on Sunday was exhausted by the pace of Jovanovic, who won the first set in less than 20 minutes. Lost Form

Franulovic lost his form after winning the first two sets. This allowed Fairlie to win the next two easily, and he would have won the match had the old rules been in force. The time allotted for the play before dark had the result at 1-1 in the last set. According to old rules the winner of the set would have been the player who won the next game. Fairlie won but the referee did not accept this because of the new regulations.

Although the draw favoured Jugoslavia, her victory was quicker than expected. After winning the opening singles on Friday, Franulovic and Jovanovic easily conquered Fairlie and R. N. Hawkes in the doubles to secure Jugoslavia’s entry to the second round. The score was 6-1, 64, 6-4. The opening singles began with Franulovic a great fav-

curite against New Zealand’s No. 2, Parun, which perhaps explained the Jugoslav player’s nervousness and uncertainty early in the game. Paran fought relentlessly, reaching even' ball, and surprised by winning the first set 7-5. The second set began in the same tempo, Paran fighting bitterly on, until a dramatic change after 5-5 when Franulovic managed to get in the lead in the next game. Franulovic got the set 7-5. He changed tactics and kept Parun away from the net for most of the match after that.

■ The Jugoslav player domin- ; ated in both third and fourth 'sets, which he easily won 6-1 and 6-3 in 18 and 23 minutes respectively. Cautious Start In the next singles the opponents began cautiously and avoided risks by not playing at the net Jovanovic led, 1-0, and 2-1, but later slackened, which enabled Fairlie to win the first set easily, 6-2. In the second set there was a terrific fight, with Jovanovic in the lead, 1-0, 2-1, 4-2 and 5-4. Fairiie evened 5-5, but then he lost strength. Jovanovic was more precise and won the set 7-5. Darkness interrupted the match at this stage and two sets had to be played on Saturday. Both played strongly on Saturday, making few mistakes. Fairlie excelled in aggressiveness and ran after every ball. Jovanovic had to exert himself to the maximum to overcome his tough opponent.

Jovanovic won 2-6, 7-5, 7-5, 64. In the doubles Franulovic and Jovanovic beat Fairlie and Hawkes in an hour and 10 minutes. Russia Next Jugoslavia will now play Russia which beat Greece, 4-1. T. Lejus beat P. Gavrielides, 6-2, 6-1, 6-0, and A. Metreveli beat N. Kalogeropoulos, 3-6, 6-2, 1-6, 8-6, 6-2. One of the biggest surprises was the defeat of the former Wimbledon champion, M. Santana (Spain), by T. Okker (Netherlands) in Valencia.

Spain, which played Australia in the challenge round two years ago, was level 2-2 when rain suspended play, with J. Gisbert (Spain) leading J. Hajer, 7-5, 6-1, in the decisive match. Okker gave Santana his first defeat in European zone Davis Cup tennis for five years. Second round draws in the European tone are: Section A.—Spain or the Netherlands v. Sweden or Rhodesia, Britain v. Finland, Russia v. Jugoslavia, Italy v. Monaco. Section B.—Bulgaria v. West Germany, Belgium v. Czechoslovakia, Luxemburg or Norway v. Rumania, Iran v. South Africa. Results:— Moscow.—Russia beat Greece, 4Luxemburg. Norway led Luxemburg, 2-1. Linz.—South Africa beat Austria, 5-0. Helsinki.—Finland beat Portugal, 4-1. Freiburg. West Germany beat Switzerland, 3-1. Sofia. —Bulgaria beat Turkey, 5Toulon.—Sweden and Rhodesia level, 1-1. Prague.—Czechoslovakia beat Brazil, 3-2. Brussels.—Belgium beat Poland, 3-2. Valencia. Spain and the Netherlands level, 2-2. Richmond, Virginia.—United States beat British Caribbean, 5-0.