West Palm Beach, Jan. 31.
Gene Mako and Jack Tidball, rated as the Leading contenders for the United States Davis Cup doubles team. this year, lost their first match of the winter season to Wayne Sabin and John Shostrom today.
Sabin and Shostrom won the South.
Florida doubles championship in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Mako lost his temper during the match and upbraided Sabin, but play continued after the referee interferred and warned Mako that he would order him off the court.
Neither Sabin nor Mako discussed the incident when surrounded by newspapermen after the match.
It was the first defeat suffered the Mako-Tidball combination, which is being groomed to represent the United States in the Davis Cup play this year. Mako's efforts to win singles titles in the Florida season, however. have all been nullified Sabin, who has taken all four titles played for to cate.
In two cham-"pionship finals he defeated Mako.—United Press.
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