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Story
February 24, 1959
The Key West Citizen
Key West, Monroe County, Florida
What is this article about?
Alex Olmedo defeats Dick Savitt 7-9, 6-3, 4-6, 5-7, 12-10 in the final of the National Indoor Tennis Tournament in New York, overcoming a tough opponent despite lapses in focus.
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Olmedo Keeps Eye On Ball, Downs Savitt
By ED CORRIGAN
Associated Press Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP)-"That Savitt," murmured National Indoor Tennis Champion Alex Olmedo today, "he is a very tough fellow.
"Those balls he hits are so hard to follow when you play him indoors."
But Olmedo, the Peruvian-born ace of the American Davis Cup team, saw "those balls" enough to defeat Savitt 7-9, 6-3, 4-6, 5-7, 12-10 Monday in the final of the National Indoor Tournament.
"Now," continued Olmedo, "I am going back to school.
"I have no big plans. Naturally, I'll play all the tennis I can during the summer. But I'll decide when and where I play, no one else (referring to Davis Cup Capt. Perry Jones).
"I also am not thinking of turning pro. If I have a big season and help win the Davis Cup again, naturally, I'll listen to offers."
So that's the way things stand right now for the collegian who almost single handedly won back the Davis Cup from Australia.
He didn't say anything about that "killer instinct" which he is supposed to lack. Jones has said that Alex has a tendency to let his opponent get away when he has him all wrapped up.
Matter of fact, that's just what happened with Savitt. Had Alex not let the big oil salesman off the hook after being at set point in the first set, he would have run the match out in a hurry. Instead, it lasted just short of three hours.
In the 12th game Alex was leading, 6-5. He had Savitt 30-40. One more point and the set was his.
But Savitt, 31, pulled it out and went on to break Alex in the 15th game.
Olmedo raced through the next two sets with no trouble. Then came the fourth set. He was like a tiger. He broke in the ninth game, and it looked like curtains for Savitt.
But again he let him get away. Dick broke through in the 10th and 12th games and they went into a fifth set.
This one followed service down to the 21st game when Alex broke. He held his own delivery in the 22nd game and that was it.
"I was up and down," said Savitt, "and you can't win that way."
By ED CORRIGAN
Associated Press Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP)-"That Savitt," murmured National Indoor Tennis Champion Alex Olmedo today, "he is a very tough fellow.
"Those balls he hits are so hard to follow when you play him indoors."
But Olmedo, the Peruvian-born ace of the American Davis Cup team, saw "those balls" enough to defeat Savitt 7-9, 6-3, 4-6, 5-7, 12-10 Monday in the final of the National Indoor Tournament.
"Now," continued Olmedo, "I am going back to school.
"I have no big plans. Naturally, I'll play all the tennis I can during the summer. But I'll decide when and where I play, no one else (referring to Davis Cup Capt. Perry Jones).
"I also am not thinking of turning pro. If I have a big season and help win the Davis Cup again, naturally, I'll listen to offers."
So that's the way things stand right now for the collegian who almost single handedly won back the Davis Cup from Australia.
He didn't say anything about that "killer instinct" which he is supposed to lack. Jones has said that Alex has a tendency to let his opponent get away when he has him all wrapped up.
Matter of fact, that's just what happened with Savitt. Had Alex not let the big oil salesman off the hook after being at set point in the first set, he would have run the match out in a hurry. Instead, it lasted just short of three hours.
In the 12th game Alex was leading, 6-5. He had Savitt 30-40. One more point and the set was his.
But Savitt, 31, pulled it out and went on to break Alex in the 15th game.
Olmedo raced through the next two sets with no trouble. Then came the fourth set. He was like a tiger. He broke in the ninth game, and it looked like curtains for Savitt.
But again he let him get away. Dick broke through in the 10th and 12th games and they went into a fifth set.
This one followed service down to the 21st game when Alex broke. He held his own delivery in the 22nd game and that was it.
"I was up and down," said Savitt, "and you can't win that way."
What sub-type of article is it?
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Tennis Match
National Indoor Tournament
Alex Olmedo Victory
Dick Savitt
Davis Cup
What entities or persons were involved?
Alex Olmedo
Dick Savitt
Perry Jones
Where did it happen?
New York
Story Details
Key Persons
Alex Olmedo
Dick Savitt
Perry Jones
Location
New York
Event Date
Monday
Story Details
Alex Olmedo defeats Dick Savitt in a five-set match (7-9, 6-3, 4-6, 5-7, 12-10) to win the National Indoor Tennis Tournament final, despite lapses allowing Savitt comebacks; Olmedo discusses future plans including school and Davis Cup.