How To Win The Davis Cup

But Buchholz is still young and impetuous. He often tries to knock the cover off the ball and is inclined to go for risky angles instead of playing the percentage shot low down the middle. One of the basic rules of doubles is to keep shots low, but in going for the big shot Butch often hits the ball too high, thus setting it up for volleying kills.

There is, of course, a possibility that Barry MacKay will be moved into the doubles slot with Olmedo. The big boy's thundering service may be too valuable to leave on the shelf. In any case, the responsibility for an American victory appears to rest with MacKay, either in doubles or as the No. 2 singles man. Barry is a player whose booming game matches his moods. He's inclined to run to extremes. When he is down he can be very bad. When he is up he can be dynamic.

Currently he's riding a wave of high confidence. He's won three tournaments in a row, and he's beginning to look like the MacKay of 1957 in Melbourne, when for one smashing weekend he was the equal of any amateur of his day.

Harry Hopman has done an excellent job this year with an average Australian team. It would be a big feather in his cap if he could win the cup again—for his ninth victory in 12 tries. But don't bet on it. I have to go with the home team—particularly with MacKay up and Olmedo batting clean-up.