Parun’s form boost to Davis Cup hopes

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34045, 8 January 1976, Page 18

Parun’s form boost to Davis Cup hopes

cV.Z Press Association» AUCKLAND. There was good news for New Zealand at Stanley Street cou r ts, Auckland. yesterday. Onny Partin, the Davis Cup tennis player, looked to be regaining his touch after his month's lay-off.

Playing with flashes of his best form, Partin gained the easiest win in his four appearances in the Benson and Hedges tennis open when he partnered Brian Fairlie to a 6-2, 6-2 win against R. A. Lewis and R. W. Drysdale (England) in the men’s doubles. In contrast to his tentative play and frequent mistakes at the net and playing ground shots in the match against the Frenchmen. Dominique and Patrice .Hagelauer, on Tuesday. Parun hit crisply and confidently.

There was no suggestion yesterday that the New Zealand pair would again have to play two tiebreakers before winning. Fairlie played the major role with his strong service, brilliant backhand volleys, and superb smashes, but Pazin gave him admirable support. Parun’s return to form has. ■come at a crucial time for New Zealand Davis Cup hopes — especially as he and Fairlie are the most likely doubles pair as well as being the singles players against India in the Eastern ' Zone semi-final. For Parun personally, find- ■ ing his touch will be crucial | as today he will meet the fifth seed. Colin Dibley (Australia), in the quarter-finals. If he wins, Parun will meet his old friend Ray Moore (South Africa), in a semifinal. Moore had been playing particularly well, and even

though his match against R. • iCrealy (Australia) went to a: (tiebreaker second set. there 1 I was never any doubt that! I the South African would win.. (This he did, 6-2, 7-6. 6-3. Surprisingly easy wins were achieved by Helga Masthoff (West Germany), and Kathy Harter (United | singles. Mrs Masthoff took I slightly more than 30 minutes to dispose of Janet j :Young (Australia) and Miss! I Harter also quickly won her ■match against Wendy Turnbull (Australia), 6-2. ,: -2. ■ Both Mrs Masthofl and .Miss Harter have looked iinlalists. and it is a pity that (they will meet in the semi-1 I final instead. i Renata Tomanova threw in; ■some atrocious shots among ( 'brilliant ground-shots as she (combined with Miss Harter Ito beat Kim Rudd-11 (Australia) and Beverley Vercoe ((New Zealand) in the

(women’s doubles semi-final. ■3-6. 7-6, 6-4. ■ It was a fighting comeback by Misses Tomanova (and Harter. They lost the first 'set, 3-6. and in the second I set. they were 3-1 and 6-5 down in the tiebreaker be(fore recovering to win. 10-8, jand take the match. 3-6. 7-6,