Davis Cup team struggling
PA Auckland The New Zealand Davis Cup team might be struggling, on present form, to reach the Eastern Zone final against Australia, tentatively scheduled for March 16 to 18 in Christchurch.
If Onny Parun, Russell Simpson and Brian Fairlie cannot improve on their performances in first-round losses in the $50,000 Benson and Hedges Open, and if Chris Lewis has not recovered from his shoulder injury, then New Zealand could easily lose the zone semi-final against Japan on February 9 to 11. It was with much concern that the public and top tennis officials watched Parun, then Simpson and Fairlie, be systematically eliminated from the Stanely Street tournament.
None of the three players lasted on court No. 1 longer than 70 minutes. None won a set.
Only a few weeks ago, the Davis Cup captain, Jeff Robson, looked like having a difficult job selecting players to face Japan, but for a different reason. All four were sharp and playing well, particularly Lewis and Parun.
Lewis has since been advised to take a complete break from playing for at least three weeks, by two Melbourne specialists. They have put no time limit, however, on when he might be able to play.
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Press, 5 January 1979, Page 18
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203Davis Cup team struggling Press, 5 January 1979, Page 18
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