Bid for fifth tennis title

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33263, 28 June 1973, Page 36

Bid for fifth tennis title

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON. While the men's singles at Wimbledon has been decimated hy the boycott of more than 70 top players, the women’s competition is as strong as ever. Yesterday, Mrs B. King prepared herself for the sterner battles ahead with a dazzling win over Miss I . Bassi (Italy). 6-0, 6-2.

Mrs King: is only the second seed this year, behind Mrs M. Court (Australia), but with her speed and marvellously sure volleying she showed that at 29 she is still at her best, and has the skill to win Wimbledon a fifth time.

Miss E. Goolagong, the third-seeded Australian, had little trouble in beating Miss B. Stove (the Netherlands) in a first round match, 6-3, 6-3. in 48 minutes.

Miss C. Evert’s progress to the second round was as unlaboured as that of Miss Goolagong. The 18-year-old American spent less than an hour beating Miss F. Bonicelli (Uruguay). Miss Evert won 6-3, 6-3 and showed that since her first appearance at Wimbledon last year, when she lost in the semi-final to Miss Goolagong, her game has changed little. The first upset of the championships seemed likely when the 16-year-old Australian, Miss D. Fromholtz, took the first set from the sixth seed, Miss V. Wade (Britain), but Miss Wade, who is rarely at her best at Wimbledon, came back to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. But, as on the first day, all

the top matches took

Idictable course. I The three men seeds in action — J. Kodes (Czechoslovakia). R. Taylor (Britain) and O. Davidson (Australia) — all sauntered !into the third round. A heavy rain-storm brought play to an end about half an I hour early. But before the jrain started more than 25.700 'people had paid at the gate — more than 1000 above last (year’s record second-day ■ attendance. I Results:— Mrs King beat Miss Ba«-i. 6-0. 16-2; Miss Goolagong beat Mi . I Stove, 6-3. 6-3; Miss Evert beat I Miss Bonicelli. 6-3. 6-."; Miss 1‘ ißlanchford (Britain) beat MC. W. Brasher 'United states , 6-0, 2-6, 6-2; Miss S. Mappin I (Britain) beat Miss I . \ IRossouw (South Africa). 6-4, f Miss T. A. Fretz (United Stalest beat Miss L. .1. Mottram (Britain), 6-1, 6-3; Miss S. Bark. : (Britain) beat Mrs It. M. Sugiarto-Lieni (Indonesia., f.-o, 6- Miss V. .1. Ziegenfuss (United States) beat Miss M Gurdal (Belgium), 6-2. 8-9. 6-::. Miss L Boshoff (South Afri.;.) beat Miss J Anthony .United States). 9-8, 6-4. MEN'S SINGLES First round It. Chavez (Mexico) beat I Santeiu (Rumania), 5-7, 4-6. 6-4, 7- 7-5; .1. W. Feaver (Britain.’, beat E. I. Scott (United Slates , 8- 6-3, 6-8. 6-4. 6-4; W. J tustln (United States) beat T Kakulia (Russia). 3-6, 4-6, 6-3. 6-0, 6-4. Second round R. Taylor (Britain) beat H. Elschenb'roich (Germany). 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.