1.
TV: Chris Lewis (New Zealand) serves twice and wins two points against Sashi Mennon. (India)
0.26

2.
LV: crowd
0.29

3.
TV: rally in progress Mennon (nearest camera) nets a return to give match to Lewis.
0.47

4.
SV: scoreboard at nil-nil in match between Anand Amritraj (India) and Onny Parun (New Zealand)
0.51

5.
TV: Parun serves, Amritraj puts ball out of court to lose first set.
1.02

6.
SV: scoreboard six-four to Parun.
1.05

7.
TV: Amritraj serves in second set, both players use high lobs and Parun hits into net PAN TO crowd.
1.26

8.
TV: Amritraj serves and Parun nets return for Amritraj to take second set.
1.36

9.
SV: crowd
1.39

10.
TV: Parun serves and wins at match point with overhead smash, players shake hands at net and walk off.
2.00



Initials RH/2355


SPORT: TENNIS

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: New Zealand took all the honours on the first day of the Davis Cup match with India in New Delhi. They won both singles matches and look in a strong, position to win the tie. Chris Lewis beat Sashi Mennon 6-4, 6-3, 7-5. Then the New Zealand number one Onny Parun beat Anand Amritraj 6-4, 3-6, 9-7, 6-3.

SYNOPSIS: In the first game it soon became obvious, even to the home crowd, that Sashi Mennon was going to have a hard time against the New Zealand player Chris Lewis, with his strong service. Mennon found it difficult to counter the service and quickly lost two points. With the advantage, the New Zealander took the first set by six games to four.

The second set also went to the Lewis.

In the third set Mennon staged a fightback. At one point it seemed as if he would find his way back into the running. But with the set on match point he put a return into the net to lose the game.

The second game saw one of India's leading players, Anand Amritraj, matched against the New Zealand number one Onny Parun. The first set was tight, but it went to Parun when Amritraj put the ball out of play.

Parun won the first set 6-4. But Amritraj, whose brother Vijay is also a top tennis player, drew on his experience and forced Parun into errors. Changing his tactics to slow the game down to his pace, Amritraj gained control. Then, after a series of high lobs Parun gave Amritraj a chance for the second set.

The New Zealander trailed at five games to three when Amritraj served for the second set, on match point. Lewis' return of service hit the net and the game was levelled.

The third set, the hardest fought of the match, went to sixteen games. Despite the support of his home crowd Amritraj lost it 9-7, and it gave the New Zealander a two sets to one advantage. Parun didn't let it slip and took the match with an overhead smash.