Evernden goes straight into cup play

Press, 4 October 1985, Page 30

Evernden goes straight into cup play

By

KEVIN TUTTY

Kelly Evernden will not have time to sit and stew over how he might perform in his Davis Cup tennis debut for New Zealand at Wilding Park today. He will be in action immediately on the centre court against South Korea in the vital N.E.C. eastern zone final.

■ Evernden, as expected, was named by the New Zealand team captain, Jeff Simpson, yesterday, to play in the singles with Chris Lewis. His elevation meant the relegation of Russell Simp-, son, such a stoic performer for New Zealand in past ties.

No-one who witnessed it will forget his titanic fightback from two sets down to clinch victory for New Zealand in the vital fifth rubber against Spain at Wilding Park in 1982. Simpson’s demotion to the the end of him as a Davis Cup player though, his brother Jeff was at pains to point out yesterday. “This fie was an ideal opportunity to introduce Kelly to Davis Cup tennis, which is totally different to tournament tennis. I don’t want to have to throw him straight into a tough match next year if we should win this tie and get back into the world group.” Jeff Simpson said he thought his brother was still a better player on grass than Evernden, but Russell understood the situation and accepted the selection graciously. • “This tie will be good for Kelly. It will still be pressure tennis even though we should beat the Koreans. But Kelly still has to go out there and win.”

Mr Simpson said he was confident New Zealand would win the tie. “It is common sense. We are stronger than the Koreans, and we are at home on grass. They have played on grass very little.” Simpson elaborated with some kind words about the court. “It is the best condition I have seen it in for a long time. I thought it might be a bit heavy for this time of the year, but it has come up well.” Evernden will play GapTaik Ro in the first singles match, a clash he should win to start his Davis Cup career on the right foot. Lewis will meet Bong-Soo Kim in the other singles match. Evernden will play first in the reverse singles on Sunday.

Korea’s less than even prospects of winning the tie slumped further yesterday when the captain, 800-Kil Choi, announced that YeongDae Jeon would not play in the singles because of a wrist injury suffered in the team’s first. practice at Wilding Park on Monday. “Big John”, as he is fondly known in Christchurch, is the sole survivor of the Korean team which played New Zealand at the same venue in 1980.

Mr Choi said that his top singles player might be fit to play in the doubles tomorrow. Jeon made the de-

cision himself yesterday morning to step aside in favour of Ro. Mr Choi said that his team had to win one of the singles today to have any chance of succeeding in the tie.

The grass court at Wilding Park would be an important factor in the result of the tie. He said that his players found grass a difficult surface.

This team was relatively inexperienced, said Mr Choi. Through an interpreter he said that the team which played New Zealand in 1980 was stronger than this combination. Evernden is sure to excite spectators this week-end. He is a strong server, has powerful ground strokes and is especially fast about the court. At practice on Thursday he was diving and sliding about the court in a practice game with Lewis, showing little regard for his safety. Lewis has had a mixed season overseas, but looks lean and fit and ready to produce a powerful performance. The doubles combinations will probably not be named until tomorrow. Light rain fell in Christchurch yesterday afternoon but the temperature was still warm and was expected to remain warm today and tomorrow.