Sport: Better Than Ever

After their dismal showing in the Davis Cup challenge round, U.S. tennis players hardly figured to stand a chance in their own national championship. Australia’s Lew Hoad, with his big, booming game, and Ken Rosewall, with his classic ground shots, looked too hot to handle. Ex-Champions Seixas and Trabert should have been completely outclassed.

In the semifinal, against Seixas, Rosewall looked even better than he did playing for the cup. Vic never had a chance, and he seemed to know it. All he could do was make a gentlemanly speech about losing to a better player. It was Hoad who first upset the dope. Facing a rejuvenated Trabert, he took three games and then fell apart. He gave the match away, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1.

Still sizzling, Tony took the center court next day and wasted no time. Now there was no nonplaying Davis Cup captain sitting on the sidelines to talk over strategy every other game. Tony was on his own, and playing better than ever. On the scarred and rain-damp turf, Rosewall could never get set for his nicely timed ground shots. The hard-hopping serve and sharply angled volleys that are Tony’s pride kept little Ken off balance. Once in the first set, and again in the second, Tony turned cautious; Rosewall promptly picked up the pace and threatened to catch him. Then Tony stopped trying to outguess his opponent and turned on the power. It was more than enough. He won going away, 9-7, 6-3, 6-3. Taking back the title he lost last year proved easier than Tony could have dreamed.

Once more the absence of Little Mo Connolly put the women’s championship up for grabs. Everyone seemed to have a chance. First, second-seeded Louise Brough was upset by tiny Belmar Gunderson; then third-seeded Beverly Baker Fleitz was overrun by 17-year-old Junior Champion Barbara Breit. In the end, though, steady Doris Hart held on to her title. In a one-sided final, she whipped England’s Pat Ward 6-4, 6-2.