Laver scores 17th successive victory

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32531, 15 February 1971, Page 24

Laver scores 17th successive victory

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

PHILADELPHIA. The defending champion, R. Laver, made it an all-Australian final for the third successive year by qualifying to meet J. D. Newcombe in the Philadelphia indoor tennis championship today.

In his semi-final yesterday, Laver defeated the fifthseeded A. R. Ashe (United States), 6-3, 7-6, 3-6, 6-1. In the previous round, the Australian had eliminated the New Zealander, B. E. Fairlie, 6-3, 6-1.

Laver’s victory over Ashe was the seventeenth he had scored in succession since his loss to the American, S. R. Smith, in the Masters’ championship in Tokyo in midDecember. Laver had matters in hand in the first set but had to outpoint Ashe, 7-1, in a tiebreaker to decide the second. SERVICE BREAK

At 1-1 in the third set, Laver lost his first service game of the tournament—the first break-through against him in 35 service games in four matches. Two successive cross-court placements by Ashe and a backhand volley into the net by Laver did the trick.

Laver was showing traces of tiredness and strain for the first time of the week, and he lost two more service games, the seventh with a; ; double fault on game point and the ninth with another double fault at set point. Laver’s strength seemed restored in the fourth set, however, and he launched into it by taking Ashe’s service from deuce in the opening game. And from there, Ashe never had a chance.

It was Laver’s eighth career victory over Ashe aaginst no losses. FINE RECOVERY

Newcombe, the Wimbledon champion, came back from two sets down to beat the South African, C. Drysdale, 3-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6, after 2hr 48min.

Miss F. Durr (France), surprised by beating Mrs B. J. King (United States). 6-2. 5-7, 7-6, in a semi-final of the women’s singles.