Evening star., 1946-12-26
Yanks Virtually CIinch
Victory by Beating
Bromwich, Pals
By GoyIe Talbot
Associated Press Sports Writer


ELBOURNE Dec. 26.-Ted
Schroederis smashing upset victory
over John Bromwich and Jack
Kramer's easy triumph over Dinpy
Pals in the opening matches of
Davis Cup play today virtually ex-
tinguished Australia's hopes Of re-
tanning the international tennis
trophy.
The two Americans, trying to
bring back the symbol of world
tennis supremacy which has been
held Down Under since 1889, team
up tomorrow to tangle with Brom-
wich and Adrian Quist in doubles
match which could-and should
clinch the cup for the United States.
1t was Schroeder's genuinely great
triumph over the two-hand-swinging
Bromwich in the first match Of the
series which set the tone for Aus
tralian gloom. About the only COM
fort the Aussies could find was in
the memory of the last Davis Cup
matches in 1899, when they won the
cup after losing the first two singles
encounters.
Schroeder Game and Determined.
Seldom in the history OF tennis
has a player of any country given a
greater demonstration of gameness
and sheer determination than did
Schroeder in turning back Brom-
wich, 3-6, 6-1, 60, 0-6, 6-3.
Kramer beat Pals in straight sets,
'8-6, 60, 81, hardly bothering
to leave the baseline in accomplish
ing the win.
Never for an instant in the long
gruelling struggle did Schroeder
relax the pressure. If he had, 1t
probably would have been fatal, for
Broomwich always was waiting and
ready to pounce if given an oppor-
tunity.
When the Aussie raced through
six straight games in the fourth set,
it appeared he might have taken
Schroeder's measure, but the for
mer United States Navy flyer, Wis
IDLY weary from the strain of his
tremendous effort, had that little
extra something which enabled him
to come through in the deciding set.
Five Minute Ovation.
The big crowd in Kooyong Sta
dunn gave Schroeder tremendous
five minute ovation after he sliced
the last winning placement past
Bromwich. And that placement was
symbolic of the match. Schroeder
scored So placements in the match
to only 27 for Bromwich, and blasted
many of them when he needed them
most.
Kramer, on the other hand, had
a far easier time with Pals. hitting
terrific drives to the corners. He
discovered he could beat Pals with
out going to the net or exerting
himself overmuch. When Pals tried
to attack Kramer fired clean place
ments past him.
Kramer, like Schroeder, began ap-
plying heavy pressure from the out
set. but he did not rush the net as
consistently as did Schroeder. Pals
produced final cannonball service
and scored repeated aces in the
first set. but he never looked like
a winner and before the end Kramer
was scoring clean winners from the
baseline
Hits Brilliant Streak.
Schroeder was extremely unsteady
in the first set. making errors on
the simplest shots and enabling
Bromwich to win handily. In the
second set he hit a brilliant streak
and blasted Bromwich off the court
in only % minutes. In the second
game of the set he scored five
straight placements to break Brom-
wich's service after being down, 400
The grass was wet and slippery
and after he fell in the second game
Team Captain Walter Pate re-
quested,-futilely-that he be per-
mitted to wear spikes.