Linton and Wilson cups today

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33120, 10 January 1973, Page 3

Linton and Wilson cups today

(By

A. M. MENZIES)

The best young tennis players in two countries will compete in (hristchurch today in the opening round of the Linton and Wilson cups Australian inter - state tournament, being held for the first time in New Zealand.

All the eight teams practised at Wilding Park for a very solid hour yesterday afternoon, and, from the look of the wares the players had to display, they will provide a most entertaining and highly competitive five days in the Spalding-sponsored tournament. One round will be played today, two tomorrow, two on Friday, one on Saturday and the final round on Sunday. The draw for today, is:—

LINTON CUP New South Wales v. Tasmania; Queensland v. New Zealand I; Victoria v. South Australia; Western Australia v. New Zealand 11. WILSON CUP New South Wales v. Tas- | mania; Victoria v. Western Australia; New Zealand I v. South Australia; Queensland v. New Zealand 11. The New Zealand second teams will not score points; but have been included in the, contests to avoid the need forl a bye and to give the teams which would have had byes some useful practice. Even though it did not win last year — Western Australia won the Linton Cup and Victoria won the Wilson Cup — the New South Wales team has been seeded first in both competitions. However, the general opinion is that although the New South Wales girls may be a cut above the others, the boys’ teams may, be more even. New Zealand, which finished fifth in both compel itions last year at Perth, lias

been seeded fifth in the boys’ section and fourth in the girls’, but the boys and their manager, Mr J. H. Lockington. of Auckland, are hopeful of finishing higher than their seeding. New Zealand’s top boy, R Simpson, of North Shore, a brother of the Davis Cup player. J. G. Simpson, will meet an old rival in the first round today — P. Kronk, of Queensland. Kronk beat Simpson last year in both their Linton Cup encounter and in the final of the 1972 Australian junior championship. Since then both have toured overseas. Theirs should be an exciting match. Like Simpson. Kronk is tall, he is strong and hits hard at every ball. He also has a powerful first service and good shots off the ground. However, a view of them both at practice yesterday gave the impression that Simpson might have a little advantage in the volley.

The rules of the competition say that teams must be named an hour before play and must be strictly according to rankings. Managers were cagey yesterday about

how their players would line up but the way they practised suggested that Simpson will meet Kronk in the first singles, that D. Sutherland (New Zealand) might meet D. Carter in the other, although G. Braun, who is also in this year’s side, played second j singles for Queensland last) year. Kronk withdrew from the Australian junior singles this! year and the title was won! by the Victorian, P. McNamee. At practice yesterday McNamee showed admirably how he gets down to the ball and concentrates on every shot. Keen newcomer The New South Wales boys had their usual air of efficiency and confidence, especially a comparative newcomer, C. Kachel, of Tamworth, who at the age of 17 has won the Australian under 19 hardcourt singles and who beat both W. Bowrey, and the Japanese, K.

Watanabe, in the Australian! open before going out to the. New Zealander, O. Parun. The New Zealand girls, P.| Elliott, S. Armstrong, L.l Ward and S. Meachen, should 1 have a chance today against] the South Australians, who are seeded only sixth to their' i fourth. New Zealand beat. South Australia last year and! G. Schipanski and A. Cox] i are again members of the •side. Young talent The New South Wales girls looked very good yesterday. Among them is D. Fromholtz, aged 16, who this season has won the junior grass court titles of New ; South Wales, South Australia and Queensland, and who reached the quarter-finals of the Australian open. A left-hander, she is short and quick, compared with ani other member of the side, the ; tail C. O’Neill, also 16, winner of the Australian junior . grass court title recently.