Newcombe made top seed

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33564, 19 June 1974, Page 14

Newcombe made top seed

(N Z.P A.-Reuter—Copyright LONDON

The Australian, J. Newcombe, returning to the Wimbledon tennis championships next week in search of his fourth title, was yesterday named top seed for the men’s singles.

Newcombe had to miss Wimbledon for the last two years because of professional boycotts. The temperamental but talented Rumanian. I. Nastase, was seeded secund. The top seed for the women’s singles was expected — the American, Mrs B. J. King, five times champion The seeds are.—

Men.—Newcombe 1, Nastase 2, J. Connors (United States) 3. S Smith (United States) 4, B. Borg (Sweden) 5, J. Kodes (Czechoslovakia) 6, T. Okker (Netherlands) 7. A Ashe (United States, 8, K, Rosewall (Australia) 9. A Metrevelli (Russia) 10. T. Gorman (United States) 11, M. Orantes (Spain) 12. Women.—Mrs King 1, Miss C. Evert (United States) 2, Miss E. Goolagong (Australia) 3, Miss R Casals (United Statesl 4. Miss V. Wade (Britain) 5, Miss K. Melville (Australia) 6. Mrs N. Gunter (United States) 7, Miss O. Morozova (Russia) 8.

O. Partin and J. Simpson are the only New Zealanders accepted for Wimbledon, but others are taking part in the qualifying tournament this week in the hope of filling a few vacancies in the draw. However, the only New Zealanders to win a firstround match yesterday were P. Langsford and Miss J. Connor. Langsford beat the Russian, V. Korotkov, 8-6. 3-6, 8-6, and Miss Connor defeated Miss F. Candy (Britain), 6-3, 6-2. R. J. Simpson lost to R. Seegers (South Africa), 6-4. 2-6, 6-8; J. Slater went down to J. Muntanola (Spain), 4-6. 2-6, and Miss B. Vercoe was beaten by Miss D. Eastburn (Australia), 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.