Flying rackets, but fine tennis, too, at Wilding Pk

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33381, 13 November 1973, Page 28

Flying rackets, but fine tennis, too, at Wilding Pk

(By

A. M. MENZIES)

rhe Bepson and Hedges men’s tennis tournament began in bitter weather at Wilding Park yesterday—but the atmosphere soon warmed up.

In one particular spell of soaring temperatures a racket was thrown from centre grass court number one over the west stand and on to one of the porous concrete courts on the other side.

If the American, F. MacMillan, had realised just where his racket was going to finish, he might have been more restrained. However, it was a metal racket, and the reason for their manufacture is becoming clearer. One of the mid-week women tennis players acting as a ballgirl—and a fine job these women did — went round to the porous courts to retrieve the racket, undamaged. It was suggested to her later that she should have departed with it.

In the meantime, MacMillan had selected his next racket and had bounced it on the ground to see if it was suitable for what was possibly in store for it Barely had all this been; completed than an Australian, P. Kronk, dropped his serve for 3-4 in his second set with W. Lloyd, also of Australia, and his racket was sent through the net and skidding to the other end. That, of course, was where he had to go when he changed ends. Kronk twice hit a ball out of the centre stadium to the grass on the other side. After his second effort, the petite, energetic "ball woman,’’ who had gone for the first one, muttered in terms any Australian might understand: "You can get your own ball this time, mate.” FIERY FELLOW

And Lloyd was a pretty fiery fellow, too. He showed that he also was adept as a racket-thrower and a ballhitter. but he also brought the refinement of the appeal to the heavens by look and voice—a little supplication. There was some tennis; in fact, the match between Kronk and Lloyd was a fine one. Now aged 19, Kronk was quite the most impressive of the young players in the Linton Cup tournament in Christchurch in January, and

he is still hitting most of his shots with spectacular topspin. Kronk won the first set, 7-5. and he led 3-2 in the second set. This was when he was upset by what he considered a bad call and he found himself at 3-4 down. However, he broke back for 4-4 . EXCITING They played attractive tennis as they moved to the tiebreak at 6-6. This was tensely exciting as it progressed with only one point difference until Lloyd won two for 7-5, and Kronk’s second ball left the court. Lloyd, who returned’ a difficult service soundly and who covered the net well, controlled the third set. for 6-3. For Kronk, one point in a tie-break meant the difference between SUSIOO as a first-round loser, and $4OO as a winner. The only other three-setter of the seven singles played

was between the Wellingtonian, D. A. Parun, and the Australian, I. Fletcher. After receiving a lesson from S. Ball, of Australia, the present holder of the New Zealand title, in the Remuera tournament on Sunday, Parun began as if that had brought out his best. The left-handed Parun broke service in the first game, and he won the first set, 6-1, but — like Kronk — he also had the disappointment of losing a tie-break’ in the second set.

It was touch and go for Fletcher, but he obtained a quick 5-1 lead in the tie-break and Parun could not overcome that. ABILITY, GUTS The other matches were won in straight sets, and without much ado. Sixteen-year-old C. Lewis, of Auckland, who is hailed as a successor to Fairlie and Parun, gave a sterling performance against a tall American, S. Stewart. Stewart got over the ball, and down to the ball when it was necessary, but Lewis took three games in each set with ability and guts. New Zealand’s third man, J. G. Simpson, who has been having some creditable wins on the world circuit, hit strongly and precisely in his 6-1, 6-2 win over another

player from North Shore, G. Slater. In spite of the comfortable score, Slater scored well with passing shots. J. McManus, a left-handed American with a doublehanded backhand, who is a stalwart of international tennis, beat an Indian, A. Amritraj, 6-3, 6-4. Armritraj has perhaps not the skill of his brother, V. Amritraj, who has excelled in major tournaments this year, but he is at least as colourful — powder blue shorts, cream shirt, white pullover with a dark green band, and, a mop of black hair. McManus was drab by comparison, but his tennis was better, his errors cut to a minimum, and he won, 6-3, 6-4.

MacMillan was able to take only one game in each set from his compatriot, F. McNair, who looks a careful and competent player. The rest of the first-round singles will be played today.