Crowd applaud -Laver v. Fraser (this end) for match point -



CS. Fraser walks - Deuce. Laver serves.



CU. Fraser - Advantage Fraser who gets fourth set point. Laver serves.



LS. fraser falls - CS. Fraser on ground.



Score: Fraser 9 games to 7. Fraser gets up. Crowd.



GV. Play - Advantage to Fraser.



CS. Laver serves. GV. Play and finish. Crowds applaud. Fraser waves.



Various shots: Duke presents trophy to Fraser. Applause.




Initials KJ/B/AHS


SPORT: LAWN TENNIS

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Members of the Royal Family watched the man's singles final at Wimbledon, July 1, when Australian Neale Fraser beat his fellow-countryman Rod Laver in four sets, 6-4, 3-6, 9-7, 7-5.

Laver lost the first set mainly because his returns of service were high, wide and handsome for Fraser to get up to the net for the "kill". In the second set, however, it was Laver who made two service breaks to his opponent's one to square the match.

The highlight came in the sixth game of the third set. Laver had broken service for a 3-2 lead and had the chance to draw away, but Fraser was at his fighting best. Although Laver's serves still swept over with vicious kicks, Fraser handled them with elegant competence. He forced deuce four times and eventually made the all-important break back. Two games later Fraser broke through again. He was 5-3 and serving for the set.

Then a downpour - the first in more than 35 years to interrupt a men's final - forced players, officials and spectators to scramble for shelter. Fifty minutes later play was resumed and Fraser went on to win the third set 9-7, despite a fall behind the baseline.

In his six service games of the fourth set Fraser lost only six points. In the fourth game he lobbed beautifully and brought Laver to heel. On his second match point Fraser hammered Laver's second service straight back down the line for victory.

At the end of this battle of left-handers, Wimbledon champion Neale Fraser was presented with the trophy by the Duke of Edinburgh. Laver was runner-up - for the second year running.