Open success for Kiwi trio

Press, 13 January 1987, Page 36

Open success for Kiwi trio

NZPA-Reuter Melbourne The New Zealand tennis trio of Bruce Derlin, Kelly Evernden and Julie Richardson all tasted success on the first day of the Australian Open here yesterday. Derlin adapted better to the windy weather and slippery court to oust Andrew Castle, the promising Briton who took Mats Wilander to five sets at Wimbledon last year. Derlin cleared out in the fifth set to win, 6-7, 7-5; 3-6, 7-5, 6-1. Evemden’s first round victory was at the expense of Jonathon Canter, the American protege of New Zealand’s Russell Simpson. Evernden won 7-6 (75), 6-3, 6-4.

Richardson was another straight sets victor, winning 6-1, 6-3 over the young New South Welshwoman, Michelle Turk.

There were also first round wins for Australia’s Brod Dyke, Sweden’s Johan Carlsson and the rising - British star,, Sarah Gomer.

Dyke, who beat Christian Miniussi of Argentina 6-2, 6-1, 7-5, now faces the dual Wimbledon champion, Boris Becker, in the second round. Becker, seeded second behind the world No. 1, Ivan Lendl, is looking to wipe out memories of a disappointing second round defeat here last year against the Dutchman, Michiel Schapers. “I’m happy to be back and to make it a better tournament this year,” Becker said. The blond West German is seeded ahead of Yannick Noah, of France, and the defending titleholder, Stefan Edberg, of Sweden. All seeds have a first round bye.

Martina Navratilova is top seed in the women’s tournament, ahead of Hana Mandlikova and Pam Shriver. Results of singles, round one: MEN Peter Doohan : (Australia) beat Des Tyson (Australia) 7-6, 7-6, 6-1; Dan Saltz (U.S.) beat Patrick Kuhnen (W. Germany) 6-4, 6-3, 6-3; Christo Van 1 Rensburg (South Africa) beat Leonardo Lavelle (Mexico) 63, 6-4, 0-6, 6-4; Brod Dyke (Australia) beat Christian Miniussi (Argentina) 6-2, 6-1, 7-5; Bruce Derlin (New . Zealand) beat Andrew Castle (Britain) 67, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1; Johan Carlsson (Sweden) beat Christian Saceanu (W. Germany) 4-6, 7-6, 6-3, 76; Javier Franz (Argentina) beat Glen M£hibata (Canada) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4; Claudio Pistoles! ’ (Italy)

beat Michael Robertson (South Africa) 5-7, 2-6, 63, 7-6, 9-7.. WOMEN Hu Na (U.S.) beat Michelle Jaggard (Australia) 7-6, 2-6, 6-0; Camille Benjamin (U.S.) beat Elizabeth Minter (Australia) 06, 6*4, 6-4; Alycia Moulton (U.S.) beat Claudia Porwick (W. Germany) 46, 6-4, 6-3; Judith Polzl (Austria) 1 beat Sharon Walsh-Pete (U.S.) 6-2, 6-4; Ann Devries (Belgium) beat Kumiko Okomoto (Japan) 6-2, 2-6, 6-4; Patricia Hy (Hong Kong) beat Anne Minter (Australia) 6-4, 6-4; Sara Gomer (Britain) beat Andrea Betzner (W. Germany) 4-6, 6-2, 8-6; Tina Mochizuki i (U.S.) beat Molly Van Nostrand (U.S.) 6-1, 6-3; MarieChristine Calleja (France) beat Masako Yanagi (Japan) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.