Evening star., 1938-07-22
DC. .STAR'SGAME
RATED F[AWLESS
Netman Here Seen Holding
Chance Against Riggs
for Team Berth.
BY BILL BONI.
Associated Press Sports Writer.

NEW YORK, July 22.-Business
definitely is on the upgrade in the
tennis market
home tomorrow and will arrive in
Montreal next Thursday. The Euro
pean zone Davis Cup eliminations have
reached the Semi-final stage, with
the final round scheduled for next
week end.
At Forest Hills the japanese are
preparing for their North American
zone meeting with Canada at Mon
treal next Thursday, Friday and Sat-
urday, and the Mexican team is on
its way to Kansas City for its match
with Australia on the same dates.
And Seabnght today made the draw
for its annual tournament, which
opens on Monday and is one of three
through which Davis Cup Capt. Walter
Pate expects to line his sights on
the United States Cup defenders No.
singles man. The other proving
grounds are the Eastern grass courts
championships at Rye, N. Y, August
6-14, and the Newport Casino tour
ney opening August IS.
Riggs Now Logical No. 2.
At the moment that No. 2 singles
man is just as much of stranger to
Pate as you are. If he had to pick
one now. he undoubtedly would select
Bobby Riggs, the Nations second
ranking star, But between now and
August "a, when Pate must name his
squad, lot of things can happen.
Some one might beat Riggs at
Seabright, Rye and Newport" Pate
explained. I'm not saying that's
likely to happen, but you can't dismiss
the possibility. And any player able
TO do that certainly would be a
hard one to overlook"
Several of the candidates for the No.
spot are well-established figures.
One is Riggs. Another is Parker,
who looked very good indeed" in
winning at Spring Lake. Then there
are Bitsy Grant, despite the fact he
labeled himself gutter" in last
years interzone finals with Germany;
Don McNeill, indoor champion from
Oklahoma City. and Wilmer Allison
and Sidney Wood, who again seem to
be putting their minds to it.
Gil Hunt Surprise Contender,
But Pate also has a surprise con-
tender up his sleeve in black-haired,
intent Gil Hunt of Washington, D. C.
Fellows like Joe Hunt, Wayne Sabin,
Hal Surface, McNeill and Mako stand
high above his No. 19 ranking, but that
won't stand in Hunts way as far as
Pate is concerned.
Somewhere, in between his studies
for several degrees, Gil has worked up
game that has no discernible flaw
and one extraordinarily strong point" "
said Pate. HE has developed a half
volley comparable to Henri Cochet,s. 4"
Hunt, runner-up to Allison at Long
wood a year ago, already has won two
tournaments, at Nassau and Baltimore.
Open-minded on the singles prob
lem. the Davis Cup chief is less open
to suggestion on new doubles partner
for Bulge
I'D hate to take the responsibility
for breaking up team like that"
Pate explained. Mako is capable of
playing and has played better doubles
than Bulge ever will, and Don would
be the first to admit it.
Mako Great With Chips Down.
'Of course, there have been times
when Gene was downright punk. But
he has knack for being at his best
when the chips are down, and it would
be hard to break in any new combina-
tion that would be effective in a game
where closely co-ordinated teamwork
is so essential"
1t would be particularly difficult in
the brief time that will be at the CUP
defenders disposal. Between the close
OF the national doubles at Brookline
and the start of the challenge round
September 3 at Germantown. the
Americans will have only five days to
work together under Pate's direction.