Rain delays start of Davis Cup tie

Press, 5 October 1985, Page 80

Rain delays start of Davis Cup tie

Light but persistent rain yesterday morning after three glorious Christchurch spring days, prevented any play in the N.E.C. Davis Cup eastern zone tennis final between New Zealand and South Korea at Wilding Park. A considerable amount of the rain fell on the centre court at the park and seeped through the plastic covers. One service box at the Memorial Stand end of

the park was well saturated when the covers were removed. Rain fell steadily from 9 a.m. until midday and a tender from the Christchurch Fire Brigade was called in to pump excess water away from the surrounds of the centre court. The decision to abandon play for the day was made at 1 p.m. only moments after the covers were lifted

and the extent of the seepage discovered. ' Ironically the sun burst through minutes after the decision was made and the grey, billowing clouds that had been hovering over the park all morning disappeared. But the damage had -been done and no amount of sunshine would have had the court in a fit state for a start yesterday. Both teams arrived an

hour after the abandonment, cast a few rueful looks at the court and moved to the all weather courts in another area of the park where they shook off the tensions associated with the futile wait for a start with some vigorous practice. .. <. The' singles matches scheduled yesterday will now be played today and the doubles tomorrow. If the tie is still alive after the

doubles there is a possibility one of the reverse singles could be played tomorrow. But it will depend on the length of the doubles. If a player has played in more than 30 games in the doubles he can only play in the singles with the permission of his team captain. And then there must be a two hour gap between matches. The tie will start at 11 a.m. today.