USTA Men’s 45 Hardcourt Championship : Diepraam Overpowers Higgins, 6-0, 6-2

Keith Diepraam hadn’t had but two minutes after defeating Billy Higgins in the final of the U.S. Tennis Assn. Men’s 45 Hardcourt Championships Sunday, when he was asked to go back out on center court to offer some words of tennis wisdom.

His speech, softened with his native South African accent, not only surprised, but shocked some listeners.

“Ooooh, he has such a gentle voice,” said one woman. “I wouldn’t have thought . . .”

Not many would have.

For Diepraam, the second-seeded player, was never gentle on Higgins. In 44 minutes, Diepraam ripped him, 6-0, 6-2.

Two hours later, Diepraam came back with partner Adrian Bey to upset the top-seeded and defending champion doubles team of Jim Nelson and Bob Duesler, both of Newport Beach, in a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, two-hour final.

The singles, though, was a rush-job from the start.

In the first game, Diepraam served four straight points, as Higgins returned wide, long and in the net twice.

The second game was worse for Higgins, the ninth-seeded player. It was there that he met Diepraam’s favorite trick: a booming forehand return to Higgins’ backhand. Higgins lost three straight points against it, then lost the game on a double fault.

Continually, Higgins was lost to Diepraam’s all-around attack. Besides his lickety-split passing shots, Diepraam managed perfect lobs, dinks, and an array of saves that came out winners. Higgins’ usual serve-and-volley game was shut off by Diepraam’s deep-hitting abilities.

But Higgins’ best shots couldn’t stop his opponent either.

Serving game point at 4-0, Diepraam was caught off guard by a rare corner lob of Higgins’. Diepraam ran for it, caught it with his back to the net, then backhanded it onto Higgins’ baseline for the game, 5-0.

It was then that the normally quiet Higgins shouted in frustration. Diepraam had yet to make an unforced error, and continually pressured his opponent at the net. He broke Higgins on the next serve to win the set, 6-0.

In the second set, Diepraam won his first serve. But then Higgins won the second game using pressure at the net and a powerful serve.

In the third game, Higgins rushed the net at each opportunity, returning Diepraam’s serve powerfully. Higgins won four straight points for his first--and only--service break and a 2-1 lead.

But it was not to last. Diepraam took the next five games with drop shots, crosscourts, and smooth, straight-shooting to Higgins’ backhand corner.

With Higgins serving match point, Diepraam ran in on a low lob and slid a shot down the sideline.

“He was overwhelming,” Higgins said. “I don’t think I played badly. He’s just like an unknown weapon.”

But not any more.

Diepraam, who will turn 45 in September, played on South Africa’s Davis Cup team from 1963-66 and played at Wimbledon eight times from 1960-70. In the years since, he has played few tournaments, spending his time teaching in Sugarland, Tex., where he now lives.

It was just this year that Diepraam decided to make a comeback of sorts, this being his third senior tournament of 1987. He has won them all without dropping a set.

“I haven’t been feeling real sharp since I’ve started,” Diepraam said. “But now I know I’m feeling a lot better. And smoother. I’m probably ready for another, eh?”