AUSTRALIA DEFEATED MEXICO IN A HARD-FOUGHT DOUBLES MATCH WHEN THE TWO MET IN THEIR DAVIS CUP TENNIS SEMI-FINAL AT MEXICO CITY DURING THE WEEKEND.

THE AUSTRALIANS FINALLY WON THE FOUR-HOUR MARATHON BY SCORES OF 18-16, 7-9, 6-4, 10-8, 9-7 A TOTAL OF 94 GAMES. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY GRUELLING IN THE RARIFIED ATMOSPHERE AT 7,500 FOOT ALTITUDE IN MEXICO CITY, WHERE IT WAS NECESSARY TO USE SPECIAL LOW PRESSURE TENNIS BALLS AND THE PLAYERS HAD TO TRAIN IN THE ATMOSPHERE TO ACCLIMATISE THEMSELVES.

THE FIRST SET WENT TO 34 GAMES BEFORE THE AUSTRALIANS MANAGED TO TAKE IT. THEY WERE REPRESENTED BY ROY EMERSON AND FRED STOLLE. THE MEXICANS, ANTONIO PALAFOX AND RAFAEL OSUNA, WON THE NEXT TWO SETS, BUT THE AUSSIES THEN SWEPT THE LAST TWO AND THE MATCH.

THE STANDS AT THE CHAPULTEPEC SPORTS CLUB WERE PACKED WITH SPECTATORS IN A STATE OF HIGH EXCITEMENT. THIS DOUBLES VICTORY BROKE THE BACK OF THE MEXICAN RESISTANCE, GIVING THE AUSTRALIANS A TWO-TO-ONE LEAD, AND THEY CLINCHED THE MATCH NEXT DAY.