Reconquered Cup

One thing about Tennists Tony Trabert and Vic Seixas--they always provide suspense. Nobody can ever be sure whether they will play great tennis or goof. Last week, in regaining the Davis Cup for the U.S. from Australia, they did both.

On the way to Sydney's White City Stadium Vic Seixas squirmed nervously in the taxi. Nevertheless, he was relieved that he was not due to play first (he had been beaten in the opening singles match last year). But eager-beaver Tony was bursting for action. The luck of the draw had spared Seixas, pitted Trabert against Australia's brilliant Lew Hoad in the singles opener. Trabert and Hoad divided the first two sets. In the next, Hoad had Tony sweating at set-point, but lost his chance on a cross-court shot that went out. Hardhitting Tony raised his game a notch, won the set by 12-10, then easily romped off with the fourth and deciding set, 6-3.

Encouraged by Trabert's win, Seixas strode confidently forth to take on Australia's Ken Rosewall, who had beaten him eight times in the last two years. For weeks U.S. Captain Bill Talbert had been showing Seixas, not an overpowering hitter, how to win points off Rosewall's relatively weak forehand. Seixas learned that lesson well. His net play was as good as ever, and he won by 8-6, 6-8, 6-4, 6-3.

Said Vic: "I felt I had to win. I have never lost nine times in a row to anybody." Next day Seixas and Trabert, who are better as a doubles team than either is as a singles player, won the doubles, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 10-8, and clinched the cup. Then, with the remaining two singles matches a mere formality, Seixas and Trabert promptly went to pieces again. They played oafish tennis, and Australia saved face. Rex Hartwig beat Seixas in four sets and Rosewall beat Trabert in three.

Whether the reconquered Davis Cup will stay in U.S. possession is highly uncertain, for Seixas, 31, and Trabert, 24, are obviously their old unpredictable selves. The U.S. has had no really depend able exponent of the "big game" since the mighty Jack Kramer turned pro in 1947.

On the other hand, the Aussies' Hoad and Rosewall have not yet reached their peak.

Probably last week's biggest loser was the Aussies' jut-jawed Captain Harry Hopman, who has been attacked for run ning his team like a combination top sergeant and boarding-school headmaster.

Close to tears, Hopman looked toward next year: "When you have two 20-year-olds, there is always a chance."

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