Tennis places seem settled

Press, 7 February 1985, Page 40

Tennis places seem settled

PA Auckalnd The national tennis champion, Kelly Evernden, and David Mustard are now front runners for the third and fourth spots in the New Zealand Davis Cup team to play Taiwan in an Eastern zone first round tie at Stanley Street next month. New Zealand’s cup captain, Jeff Simpson indicated this yesterday, only four weeks before the March 8, 9 and 10 event. Simpson is reviewing the tournament schedules of Evernden, Stephen Guy, David Lewis and Bruce Derlin and plans to announce his four-man team at the week-end? Certain to be at Noil and No 2 again are the cup

stalwarts, Chris Lewis and Russell Simpson. “If Kelly’s schedule fits in, I’ll probably name him and David (Mustard) to join Chris and Russ,” said Mr Simpson yesterday. “I’m trying to contact Kelly now to determine exactly what he’s doing. After the nationals in Wellington he had plans to play tournaments in Florida, Toronto and Cairo. We discussed the schedule and later he rang to advise me he had a change of mind — that he was considering going to the Australian satellite series. “If he is that close it would be foolish not to include him. We’re expecting Kelly to ring soon.” Simpson has advised all

contenders for the last two place? in the team — and all candidates have accepted his provision that

proximity and cost-saving would be criteria in selection. Bruce Derlin, for one, has eliminated himself from contention by opting to compete in London. Guy and David Lewis are on the Australian circuit, while Mustard, trying to rest an achilles tendon injury, is holidaying in the Bay of Islands. Mr Simpson is also anxious to contact his younger brother, Russell, to discusss his fitness and form. “I suspect he’s okay since I haven’t heard otherwise,” said the captain, “but I’d like to confirm things. All I know at the moment isfthat he lost in qualifying for the United States Indoor cham-

pionship in Memphis last week.” Mr Simpson will want all team members to be in Auckland on March 2 or 3, but understands Russell may require an earlier arrival “since he’s the only guy who will need to acclimatise”. Lewis, meanwhile, is in Sydney working out daily under the tuition of the New Zealand cup coach Tony Roche. Among Lewis’ practise partners is the man he beat in the recent Benson and Hedges final, Wally Masur. Lewis and Masur are soon to play a series of exhibition matches throughout the South Island as a build-up to the tie against Taiwan.