Evernden shows promise in second round of Open

Press, 14 January 1982, Page 24

Evernden shows promise in second round of Open

PA Auckland Kelly Evernden, the 20-year-old former national junior tennis champion, could give New Zealand Davis Cup hopes a tremendous boost if he decides to play tennis full time.

This was emphasised in the way he put pressure on the Davis Cup No. 2, Russell Simpson, in yesterday's second round match of the men’s singles of the $105,000 Benson and Hedges Open at the Stanley Street courts. Simpson won 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, but the win was not as comfortable as the scores would suggest. Evernden was badly injured in a motor accident after winning the junior title in the 1979-80 season. He lost a year's tennis as well as a lung because of the mishap. Still bearing a scar right across his chest, Evernden said that trying to adjust his breathing was the worst physical effect apart from the pain which he suffered for a while as he recovered. “The year's lay off made me look at myself and I think my play has matured as a result of my enforced spell from tennis,” he said. He accepted a scholarship at Fayetteville University, Arkansas, but was not eligible for collegiate tennis until he had fulfilled a 12 months residential qualification. "I played some tennis

which did not count for ranking and some outside tournaments but all my Association of Tennis Professional points went and I was left to knock a few balls around in practice,” he said. Since ousting David Schneider in the first round in the Auckland tournament he had set his sights on a place in the Davis Cup team but “only if it means a chance of playing, otherwise I would get better practice in the States." His performance against Simpson could not have done his selection chances any harm. Even under pressure, Evernden was as accomplished a player as another cup hope, Bruce Derlin, who had a relatively easy win against David Siegler on Monday. Of all the New Zealanders who have played in the tournament this week, Evernden has displayed the coolest temperament. Only once did he allow himself any utterance of frustration. More creditable still were the crisp, powerful backhands and forehands flashing down the line to pass Simpson regularly and the returns

picked up from near impossible positions for winners. There was a noticeable decline in his service effectiveness as he was in turn put under pressure by Simpson but when at his best, he caused Simpson untold trouble. Simpson who admitted that he had not been playing well — “and that always seems to happen in front of a home crowd" — was all at sea against Evernden in the first set, losing 2-6. “I played better when I w’as on the cliff's edge,” said Simpson. Then he produced the concentration and the sometimes immaculately placed strokes to break service in the vital sixth game of the second set to lead 4-2. The path to victory was still error strewn but Simpson survived attempts to break his service and with a mixture of superb smashes and drop volleys blunted the impact of powerful Evernden ground shots. z Simpson will meet the New Zealand Davis Cup and Benson and Hedges tournament No. 1, Chris Lewis, in the next round and the pity

is that one will make an exit from the singles match. Apart from one exhibition, which Lewis won, the two have not clashed for some years. Lewis reached the quarterfinals by beating the hard hitting American, Ron Hightower 6-2, 6-3, while the second seeded player to bow out was David ■ Carter, the fourth seed from Australia, who was beaten 6-3, 0-6, 7-5 by the American, Matt Mitchell. Lewis looked sharp in beating Hightower, last year’s quarter finalist and the stage now looks set for the anticipated quarter-final between Lewis and Simpson tomorrow. The second seed, Tim Wilkison, will today meet fellow American Chris Dunk. Following that match will be Richard Lewis (England) playing Larry Stefanki (United States). Two matches with a New Zealand flavour will follow. Bruce Derlin meets Lloyd Bourne (United States). Onny Parun and Simpson pair in doubles against Carter and Mike Estep (United States).