Up from Under

"Gonzales," says Big Jake Kramer, "is certainly the second best tennis player in the country. When he's on top of his game and I'm not, he'll win, but when I'm on top of mine, he can't beat me."

In 39 matches out of 48, Big Jake had been on top, and powerful Pancho Gonzales had been just about as low and grouchy as a man can get. But in California last week Pancho's big grin was flashing again. Since their return from Europe last month, he had beaten Big Jake eight times out of twelve. Twenty-one-year-old Pancho even figured he had a mathematical chance to overtake 28-year-old Jake before the tour ends next October.

The fans found Pancho's game better all around. He was less jumpy, his shots were better placed, his forehand volley was faster and his anticipation more acute. Big Jake had noticed something else. Said he: "I'm the big difference in Gonzales' game. I haven't been able to keep the pressure on him. I've gotten kind of stale."

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