N.Z. beat Aust, in tennis ‘test’

Press, 10 January 1983, Page 3

N.Z. beat Aust, in tennis ‘test’

PA Auckland New Zealand beat Australia 2-1 in an unofficial tennis test 2-1 at Stanley Street. Auckland, yesterday.'

In the first match of the National Mutual-sponsored contest. Russell Simpson took a first set tiebreaker 7-1 and went on to beat the Australian. Phil Dent. 7-6. 6-4.

John Alexander, playing steadily, had the measure of the New Zealand. Chris Lewis, winning 6-3. 7-5. If Lewis’ loss was a disappointment to the large crowd, they warmed to the doubles play of Lewis and Simpson, especially. The New Zealand pair, with Simpson as the seniorpartner, romped to a 6-3 win in the first set. Alexander and Dent made fewer errors in the second set, which they won 7-5. Alexander's service was broken in the fifth game of the third set. Dent then lost his service in the seventh game. New Zealand took the tie when Simpson and Lewis

took the set 6-2. Simpson made light of his singles win. "I have beaten Dent once before in Montreal, but that and the win here is no indiction of the outcome for the Le Coq Sporfif singles." he said.

"The best thing is that I have had some match play which I was pleased about, because I could get into the play and that usually helps me."

Dent contributed to his downfall with 11 double faults.

The power of Alexander's service and volleys did not allow Lewis much chance in their singles. Lewis' Volleying let him down. Simpson is seeded ahead of his Davis Cup team-mate, Chris Lewis, in the $122,000 Grand Prix tennis tournament which begins at Stanley Street today. Simpson is seeded second and Lewis is third seed in the Benson and Hedges Open.

It is the first time since 1976, when both began tour-

ing as professionals that Simpson has been seeded above Lewis.

"Our rankings do not worry me." Simpson said yesterday. "I have enough trouble worrying about my game let alone have the added burden of chasing Chris in the rankings." Simpson, generally regarded as the No. 2 in the Cup team, is ranked 50 by the Association of Tennis Professionals. Lewis is ranked No. 57. Alexander of Australia, is top seed for the tournament. Overseas players yesterday gained the four vacant berths in the Le Coq Spor.tif men's singles. They are Craig Tregonning and Ross Case, of Australia, and Robert Crames. and Matt Mcdonald. of the United States. Results —

R. J. Simpson (New Zealand) beat P. Dent (Australia). 7-6. 6-4: C. J. Lewis (New Zealand) lost to ,1. Alexander (Australia). 3-6. 5-7. Simpson and Lewis, beat Alexander and Dent. 6-3. 5-7. 6-2.