AUSTRALIA WINS IN FIRST DAVIS CUP SINGLES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23024, 15 August 1949, Page 6

AUSTRALIA WINS IN FIRST DAVIS CUP SINGLES

NEW YORK, Aug. 12. Australia won one singles match against Italy in the Davis Cup interzone final being played at Westchester Country Club, Rye. Sidwell defeated the Italian star, Giovanni Cucelli, 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. The match was interrupted for two and a-half hours by rain and the delay prevented the playing of the second singles between Sedgman and Marcello Del Bello, which was postponed until tomorrow, when the doubles will also be played. Light rain fell in the first set and it became heavier in the second set, but nlav continued .until the set finished. The rain continued for one and threequarter hours and then there was a long argument before the referee ruled that Dlav must be resumed. The Italians were willing to play, but the Australian manager, Cliff Snroule, did not want to do so. Sidwell. who had changed to street clothes, had to change back to tennis attire.

In the first two sets, Sidwell outplayed Cucclli. His faster service gave him more oonortunities to advance to the net and, with snappy angled volleys, won many points.

Cucelli found touch in thq third set and scored with sizzling drives. Sidwell fought back and won the fourth set after some fierce serving and clever passing drives.