Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-12-30
BY the As.oeiaied Press


Hoad. one of Australia's 19ryear-
old wonder boys who has devoted
his life to tennis since he was 10.
defeated Americas ace, Tony
Trabert, 13-11, 6-3, 2-6, 3-6,
rs. today in miserable, steady
rain to tie the Davis Cup chal-
lenge round at 2-all.
The condition of the Kooyong
court was so bad after the match
which went 81 games and last
ed just five minutes short Of
three hours-that officials de-
cided to postpone the deciding
singles test until tomorrow at 2
pm. Oil pm, Wednesday. EST.
Now the optimism that had
built up in the United States
camp has subsidized somewhat,
for the Americans slumping
star, Vic Seixas. will go into &C
ton against Ken Rosewall, the
other Australian 19-year-old.
Both Sides Predict Victory.
However, the rival Davis Cup
captains-Bill Talbert of the
United States and Harry Hop
man of Australia-each predict
ed victory for their side in to.
morrow's decisive singles match.
Each declared the 24-houS
poStponement would not affect
their boys.
Talbert said: "Vic would have
preferred to have it played to-
day, but I think he will take it
reasonably we'll"
Hopman said: 81 don't think
it will affect Ken. He is quite
composed"
Seixas. the Wimbledon cham
pion from Philadelphia, is re-
garded as one of the best wet
court players. having won many
of his most important triumphs
in spiked shoes. He beat Frank
Sedgman. now a pro. in these
conditions a year ago at Mel
bourne.
However, Rosewall has beaten
Seixas the last six times they've
met, including a straight-set
triumph in the New South Wales
semif1nals a month ago.
ROsewall in Slump, Too.
The most hopeful factor that
Talbert can see is that Rose
wallis play has been as disap-
pointing as Seixas'. Ken was
benched in the doubles yester-
day after his poor showing in
the opening singles against Ira
bert. So the pressure will be on
both players.
Still. today's match was the
one the Americans had counted
on winning. They thought Ira
bert would clinch the cup for
the United States for the first
time since it came to Australia
in 1850. and Tony's failure to
master Hoad was a big disap-
pointment.
1t wasn't that the former Uni
versity of Cincinnati student
didn't perform well. He did. On
occasions Tony was brilliant. In
TACT. strange as it may sound, he
held the upper hand most of the
way and even many of the Aus
tralian experts were beginning
to plan their trips to Forest Hills
for next years challenge round.
The rain and wretched condi-
ton OF the court bothered Tony.
but that certainly was not why
he lost. Young Hoad had to play
on the same court. Perhaps
Irabert was annoyed a bit more
because he is a bigger fellow
than Hoad and had more
trouble balancing himself on the
slippery turf.
Referee Allows Spikes.
Trabert slipped three times in
the early going. and Referee
Cliff Sproule came on the court
after the fourth game of the
second set and looked over the
grass. He returned to his posi-
ton without comment.
| But two games later, it became
obvious that something would
have to be done and he told
both players they could wear
spikes. Trabert accepted the
offer. but Hoad elected to 90
on with his tennis sneakers since
he was ahead The youngster
probably thought it better not
to change tactics while he was
winning.
Hoad changed his mind.
though, in the third set when
Trabert began to move in front
and before it was over both were
wearing spikes. The turf looked
mess when the match was over.
| Tony was downcast over the
defeat, but he gave his wife
Shauna, a big smile and a hug
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