This film is part of Free

Roger Taylor v Mike Sangster

Two of the Best of British compete against each other in Torquay

Sport 1964 4 mins

From the collection of:

Logo for South West Film and Television Archive

Overview

British tennis stars Roger Taylor and Mike Sangster face each other in an indoor tournament at Torquay's Palace Hotel. Born in Yorkshire, Roger Taylor reached the semi finals of Wimbledon twice in 1967 and in 1970. In 1970 he beat the defending champion and world number one Australian Rod Laver on the way. Taylor was ranked world number eleven although in 1970 he was really world number eight before the Association of Tennis Professionals or ATP rankings had begun.

In 1968 Roger Taylor competed in the first World Championship Tennis tour, the precursor to the modern ATP. He reached the semi finals of the Australian Open in 1970 and won back-to-back doubles titles at the US Open in 1971 and 1972. In 1973 he reached the last eight at the French Open. Mike Sangster reached at least the quarter final stage of each of the four Grand Slams. He competed in the Men's semi finals of Wimbledon in 1961, only Fred Perry, Bunny Austin, Roger Taylor, Tim Henman and Andy Murray have also achieved this and his highest world ranking was number seven. He reached semi finals in the US Open in 1961 and the French Open in 1963. As a teenager Sangster played football for Torquay United.