Evening star., 1953-12-18
Seiixas Returns
In Final Singles
Play Tomorrow
Team Coptoin Joins
Trobert in Winning
Doubles Triumph
BY the Associated Press

BRISBANE, Australia, Dec. 18.
Billy Talbert, United States
Davis Cup captain. gambled and
won today when he teamed with
his young protege, Tony Trabert,
and carved out a 6-3, 60,
As, 81 victory over Belgium's
Philippe Washer and Jacques
Brichant in the doubles match
of the Davis Cup interzone finals.
Talbert, old Long Pants" of
the prewar days, substituted
himself for Vic Seixas, his
slumping star, and he certainly
made the right decision. The
35-year-old veteran, who has
been playing little competitive
tennis. was superb for two sets.
then held on for the last two
when the pace began to get him.
The victory was a must for the
American team. Now it needs
only to split tomorrow's final
two singles matches to gain the
challenge round against Aus
tralia at the end of the month.
Seixas to Resume Play.
Talbert said he would send
Seixas back into action against
Washer, with Trabert opposing
Brichant, a reversal of the first
two singles opponents. It was
Brichant who yesterday upset
Seixas and had Talbert worrying
over just what course of action
to take.
Bill used himself reluctantly
and only after talking the mat
ter over with the players and
DR.. S. E. Davenport. manager
OF the team.
"We decided it was the most
logical move for today" Talbert
said. "The decision was made
with the welfare of the team as
a whole in mind and no thought
for individuals.
worried ABOUT SelXaS.
But he still is worried about
SeixaS.
There is nothing we can do
about tomorrow" he said with
frown. He definitely won't play
singles himself.
Billy was asked if SeixaS had
volunteered to withdraw because
Of his poor play.
IT make the decisions" Tai
bert answered. "This is a team
affair and we talked it over as
a team. If one player isn't
going well. we tell him. Then
he may disagree and give his
reasons. Then we give our rea-
sons and that is it,"
Talbert teamed with Trabert
because, no doubt, he thought
he could instill confidence into
the young University of Cincin-
natl student. Trabert and
Seixas had not been going we'll
in practice. Tony made no secret
Of the fact that he did not want
to team with Seixas.
Americans Take Quick Lead.
Talbert and Trabert played
maSterfully for two sets and the
capacity crowd of 10000 at the
Milton courts settled back to
watch the rout. But Washer
and Brichant did not throw in
the sponge easily.
Washer favored his sore right
shoulder for the first two sets
and had trouble keeping his re-
turns on the court. He was in
such pain before the match that
a physician was ready to give
him injections.
He didn't have the injections,
but afterward Adrian QuiSt, the
former Australian ace who is
helping coach the Belgians. OBJ
served:
''He didn't play hard enough
in the beginning. He paid too
much attention to his sore
shoulder"
It was in the third set that
the Belgians began to come to
life. The set followed service
right down to the deciding game
when the European champions
broke through Trabert's offering
to win it.
Spectators on Edge.
The final set was no picnic
for the Talbert-Trahert team.
and it had the spectators on
edge. When the Belgians threat
ened to pull an upset, the fans
began to cheer wildly just as
they did for Brichant against
Seixas yesterday. The. umpire
finally had to call time and ask
them to quiet down.
The Americans went ahead.
42. when they broke Brichant's
service. Washer held his own
and Trabert took his at love.
The Americans were ahead, 5-3,
and the customers started head
ing for the exits.
But the Belgians pulled to 5-4
on Brichant's delivery, then
broke the tirlng Talbert, who
doublefaulted twice, to tie it.