Lewis, Roche in tennis opener

Press, 24 February 1978, Page 20

Lewis, Roche in tennis opener

From

PAUL ELENIO

in Adelaide

New Zealand's chances of success in its Davis Cup tie against Australia today were given a timely boost yesterday with a favourable draw which puts Chris Lewis against Tony Roche in the first singles. In the second match, Brian Fairlie, who is replacing the injured Onny Parun, will meet one of Australia’s greatest Davis Cup players, John Alexander. It is a draw which suits the New Zealand captain, Jeff Robson, who regards Roche as the weaker of the two Australians in the eastern zone final.

“The draw is as good as we could have hoped for,” he said. “Alexander would be the better and fitter of the two players and it gives Chris a chance to put New Zealand one up.” But in spite of the optimism generated by the draw, New Zealand faces an upmll task against the same team that won the Davis Cup against Italy at Sydney less than three months ago. New Zealand has lost to Australia three times in as many years and there is little' to suggest that the result will be different this week-end.

However, there is still a small chance that the third sporting miracle of the month could be enacted on the centre court of Memorial Drive.

New Zealand scored its first cricket win over England and Muhammad Ali bowed to a young man named Leon Spinks. What hope for New Zealand of beating Australia, which won, 4-0, in 1975, 3-1 in 1976, and 4-0 in 1977?

It will be Chris Lewis, with all the talent and ability and only lacking in experience, who will carry the burden for New Zealand. The Kiwis have failed three times with Onny Parun and Fairlie at the helm. But Lewis suddenly shot out of obscurity to

claim the top playing position in New Zealand by performing brilliantly in three Australian tournaments in December. That run of success started at Memorial Drive and Lewis enjoys playing there. For Lewis, neither Alexander or Roche are unbeatable. He was within two points of embarrassing Roche at Sydney on New Year’s Day and he has the game to beat Alexander. The Australian captain, Neale Fraser reacted casually to the draw, claiming that it did not favour eitner side. However, it is obvious

that he fears Lewis the most. “Chris is certainly an up-and-comer but Davis Cup tennis is a different thing,” he said. "He is up against players of a higher standard and the pressure is tremendous.” Of Lewis’s beating two top world-ranked players, Mark Cox (Britain) and Mexican Raul Ramirez in recent weeks, Fraser said that the wins had been on a true indoor surface and could not be compared to a Davis Cup tie on grass.

Roche, a little overweight and getting slower around the court, may be the weak link in the Australian side. He pulled out of practice on the centre court on Wednesday with a shoulder injury but Fraser said that Roche was fit to play today.

New Zealand has not been so lucky. On top of the late arrival of Lewis from the United States, a bitter blow has been the withdrawal of Parun, who pulled an arm muscle earlier this week.

Hopes that he might recover in sufficient time for the tie were dashed when he failed to come through a practice session on Wednesdav.

The doubles will be played tomorrow and Fraser is not confident of winning that match. For the first time in many years, Australia has no recognised doubles combination and is likely to use the scratch pairing of Alexander and Allan Stone.

In the reverse singles on : Sunday, Lewis will meet Alexander in the first match and, in what may be the deciding match of the tie. Fairlie will meet Roche.