N.Z. DAVIS CUP PLAYERS OUTCLASSED BY NORWEGIANS

Evening Star, Issue 26103, 17 May 1947, Page 6

N.Z. DAVIS CUP PLAYERS OUTCLASSED BY NORWEGIANS

(N.Z.P A. Special Correspondent.) (Rec. 8 a.m.) LONDON, May 16. The first day’s play was all in favour of Norway in the second round of the Davis Cup matches at Oslo. New Zealand could win only one set. John Barry and Johann Haanes opened. Barry was very nervous, and lost the first set 6-love in 15min, but improved considerably in the next two. Barry had one set point, leading 5-4 in the second set, but drove out. He had no other chance. He pulled up from 2-4 in the third set to 4-all. but Haanes was too steady and experienced. Barry made too many errors to hope to win against a solid opponent, especially from his left hand side. In the second match, between Ron McKenzie and Johann Staubo, the former was disappointing and was never in good touch. Staubo was aggressive all the way, attacking McKenzie’s backhand, which would not work, being unable to produce a passing shot. McKenzie came to 1 life a little in the third set, but lapsed into errors in the fourth, going down almost without a fight. If McKenzie could have steadied he must have had a good chance in the fifth set, as Staubo was very tired. This places New Zealand in the unenviable position of having to win the remaining three matches. It is not impossible, but it is unlikely. Their main trouble is the lack of big match experience and an unfamiliar surface. McKenzie and Robson play doubles to-morrow against Haanes and Bryn. Details of to-day’s games:—Haanes beat Barrv 6-0. 7-5. 6-4; Staubo beat McKenzie 6-2. 6-2. 2-6. 6-2.