Amritraj beats youngster in return to form

Press, 17 January 1977, Page 24

Amritraj beats youngster in return to form

~nd Vijay Amritraj. the Indian Davis Cup player, showed that there was still a considerable gap between the craftsman and the promising apprentice when he beat 17-\ ear-old lim . Wilkinson, of the United States, in four i sets to win the open tennis men s singles title at Stanley Street courts yesterday.

[ In the final of the Benson land Hedges open. Amritraj I revealed for the first time in (the tournament glimpses of ■his true form.

i (The young American also belatedly revealed that his name was spelt Wilkison and not Wilkinson: it was a small point which did not bother him as even the mighty Pancho Gonzales had his name spelt wrong on a product he had endorsed). The 27-year-old West German, Heidi Eisterlehner, won her fifth title in fifteen weeks away from Stuttgart when she outplayed the Australian, Karen Krantzcke to win the women’s singles, 6-4, 6-4. New Zealand had its only win when C. Lewis and R. J. Simpson beat P. Langsford, another Kiwi who combined with an Englishman. J. Smith, in the men’s doubles, 7-6, 6-4. The women's double final was played on Saturday and the second seeds, Kathy Harter and Rayni Fox, of the United States, surprisingly beat the top seeds, Eisterlehner and Krantzcke, 6- 6-3, 7-5. A late rally saw the biggest hitter of the tournament, D. Collings, combine with a fellow Australian, Gwen Stirton, to win the mixed doubles from the second seeds, R. Lewis (England) and Miss Harter, 6-7, 7- 6-3. Wilkison, who won $2600 for his six days play, had reached the final after a splendid encounter on Saturday with C. Lewis, the 1975 Wimbledon junior champion.

In that contest Wilkison displayed an admirable temperament which enabled him to analyse Lewis’s play and work towards exploiting his weakness.

Taking advantage of his own ability to volley lob and control the net, Wilkison came back from one set down to win the next three. Lewis played well, but Wilkison played even better. Yesterday Wilkison again displayed a maturity beyond his years but in the face of the craftsman Amritraj, the American could but acknowledge that he could not volley the low returns of the Indian nor was he able to take charge at the net. Amritraj played his best match of the tournament surpassing his semi-final against R. Lewis who has improved considerably since his iast visit to Auckland. There was iittle evidence of the shoulder injury which had kept the Indian out of

ithree months but though be was serving more like th* “firebrand" of last year'* Davis Cup tie. he was stilj 'some way off his best form. ! At crucial times, he un« ■leashed a brilliant backhand volley or a passing shot down the line to maintain control. However, Amritraj won most of his points from I the failure of Wilkison t® return service.

Miss Eisterlehner al-.<j played her best match in defeating Miss Krantzck* who appeared tired through* out the contest and gav* only a hint of a fight bacl| in the second and final set. Confidence in each other’* play contributed to the win of C. Lewis and Simpson n, the men’s doubles. Though thev were never behind, there was always a threat of a breakthrough by Langsford and Smith. However, that Kiwi pair disposed of the threat by winning the net duels, through a Lewis top. tournaments for the last spun forehand or an unplay, able Simpson smash. The total gate for th* tournament was $22,000, a® increase of $5OOO from iast year.

The main money earner* were:—

Men: V. Amritraj $5lOO, T, Wilkison $2600, C. Lewis $2OOO, R. Lewis $l6OO, R. J, Simpson $l4OO, R. Frawley $975, D. Collings $950, P. McNamara $9OO, P. Langs, ford $875, E. Ewart $750.

Women: H. Eisterlehner $3325, K. Krantzcke $1650, K. Harter $l2OO, R. Fox $725, N. Sato $575. G. Stir, ton $450, P. M. Elliott $275, J. Connor $250, V. Frants $2OO, C. Newton $75. Results:—

Bank of New Zealand men* singles.—Semi-finals: Tim Wilkin, son (U.S.) beat Chris Lewis (N.Z.), 4-6, 7-6, 64. 6-2; Vijay Amritraj ilndia) beat Richant Lewis (England). 7-5. 4-6, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1. Final: Amritraj beat Wilkin, son, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.

U.D.C. Finance women s singles.—Final: Heidi Eisterlebne? (West Germany) beat Karen Krantzcke (Australian 6-4. 6-4.

Columbus Travel men. doubles. —semi-final: Peter Langs. ford (N.Z.) and Jonathan Smitil (England) beat Dale Collings : d Rod Frawley (Australian 4-6, 6-3. Final: Chris Lewis and Russell Simpson (N.Z.) beat Peter Langsford (N.Z.) and Johnatr: n Smith (England), 7-6, 6-4. Hughes and Cossar women', doubles.—Final: Rayni Fox and Kathy Harter (U.S.) beat Heidi Eisterlehner (West Germany) and Karen Krantzcke (Australia', 6-7, 6-3, 7-5.

Brambles mixed double?.-* semi-final: Richard Lewis (Eng* land) and Kathy Harter (U.S.) beat Rod Frawley (Australia) and Heidi Eisterlehner (West Ger* many), 6-3, 6-3. Final: Dale Col* lings and Gwen Stirton (Aus* tralia) beat Lewis and Harter* 6-7, 7-6, 6-3.