Koreans the underdogs in Davis Cup tie

Press, 8 February 1980, Page 20

Koreans the underdogs in Davis Cup tie

By

JOHN BROOKS

Korean caution and New * Zealand optimism over the outcome of the BP Davis Cup tennis tie at Wilding Park between this afternoon and Sunday were borne out by developments at yesterday’s draw in the Town Hall. The home team’s most formidable player, Chris Lewis, was- drawn to play first on both singles days, and his initial opponent, Young Dae Jeon, has only one Davis Cup singles to his credit. “Big John’s” appearance in the singles was caused by the loss through injury of the Korean No. 1, Chang Dae Jeon — an occurrence Which was of far graver consequence to the Koreans than was the unavailability of Russell Simpson to the New Zealand side. The visiting team’s niis-

fortune reinforced the view of some ultra-patri-otic New Zealand officials who, not content with the possibility of their side winning by five rubbers to nil, were predicting it in terms of 15 sets to nothing. Although such utterances were discourteous to the Koreans, the side’s lack of grass court play, the comparative inexperience of their players and the stroke power of the New Zealanders indicate that they will be all too true. Chang's withdrawal, through a strained tendon in his right wrist, was- a further blow for an already beleeaguered team — although the New Zealanders appeared confused over who was who among their opponents.

The Koreans did not hold out great hopes of causing another ups-et in the eastern zone of the competition, but they promised they would be trying hard. The Korean captain, Bu ' Kil Choi, voiced his unhappiness about the with-

drawal of Chang. “The team is very unhappy, too, and very worried about tomorrow,” he said. “New Zealand has very good players; ours are all teenagers.” Although the side had trained hard in Geelong and Christchurch for the tie, Mr Choi said it had not had sufficient time on

grass surfaces to build up confidence. “On clay we are ven’ good; on grass we will be at a disadvantage, but we will be trying. It is hard to say that Korea will beat New Zealand.- but our bovs will do their best.”

Simpson went out of

contention for the singles when he aggravated an ankle injury on Wednesday, but he is keeping his doubles options open. Chang meanwhile made a final bid for selection on the centre court yesterday, but still felt pain. He told his captain, reluctantly, that he could not perform. “I’m quite happy about Big John playing in the

singles, and that he is to go on first," said Mr Don Camcron, the Australian coach of the Koreans. “The match will do him the world of good. I fee) he’s probably adapted better to the grass than the others.

“It will be of great value to him playing Chris Lewis- but he will have no l:ope of beating him if he stays on the baseline. If he’s going to get anywhere he will need to follow his shots into the net."

Mr Cameron reierred to Chun Ho Kim as “a real little bulldog — in fact, I call him Bulldog. He is always in there; his match with Onny Panin will be very interesting."

Mr Cameron said that both singles players were only 19 and their overseas experience was limited to

Bangkok and one or two other Eastern cities. “But this could be the start of a new era in Korean tennis. Great interest has been shown in the team progressing this far in the cup, and the country's biggest newspaper. Dong-A-Ilbo, has sent its leading sports reporter, Hyang Youl Lee, to cover the tie in Christchurch."

Despite a jocular assurance by the Mayor (Mr Hay) about continuing fine weather for the three days, the dreaded tennis bogy of wet weather loomed large last evening. A sudden, chilling shower about 5 p.m. recalled the damp starts for the two ties in Christchurch last summer — and the outlook indicates that another south-west change with some showers might arrive tomorrow.