THE DAVIS CUP

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 211, 19 June 1933, Page 6

THE DAVIS CUP

THE EUROPEAN SEMI-FINAL.

AUSTRALIA DEFEATS JAPAN.

A MEMORABLE DOUBLES. (United Press Association—Copyright). (Received Tins Day, 8.50 a.m.) LONDON, June 18. Japan was eliminated by Australia in the semi-final of the European zone of the Davis Cup contest. In the doubles J. Crawford and A. Quist defeated J. Satoh and R. Nunoi 7-5. 7"-9, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

DETAILS OF THE PLAY. JAPANESE GAME STRUGGLE (Received This Day, 10.45 a.m.) PARIS, June 18. The Australian Press Association in a special message says: "The road is now clear for the final in the European zone of the Davis Cup contest, presumably against Britain, and for the tournament at Wimbledon.

The experiment of playing Quist with. Crawford and playing the latter on the left court, succeeded beyond expectations. Quist rose to the occasion superbly and supplied the hostility that was lacking in the Crawford-McGrath combination. Quist, indeed, deserves the bulk of the credit for the victoiy. The attendance, about 3000, was the best the Australians have yet enjoyed. The spectators were again keen and good humoured, but anxious to take part in the umpiring, which caused the newspaper "Lanto ' to reproach -the authorities with allowing themselves _ yesterday to be heckled into changing the linesman. Crawford had to appeal to cease the demonstration jn his favour when the linesman gave a critical point in the fourth against the Australian. Rain began to fall as the players arrived on the courts.

Quist and Serunsr won the first game. The players were then forced to retire for half an hour. Despite the rain, the drenched spectators demanded: "Contirmez. continues."

The Australians started badly, Quist repeatedly netting volleys, but the pair recovered from 1-4 behind to lead 5-4. due largely ,to Quist. The Japanese, particularly Nimoi, were in better form in the second set, tenaciously levelling 4-i. When leading 6-5 the Australians held two set points, the loss of which must afterwards have given them nervous moments. However. with Crawford driving subtly and placing with great accuracy and Quist serving admirably and smashing tigerishly, they took the third without undue trouble. The Japanese, whose doggedness and pjuck was a feature of all their matches, captured the fourth, which was remarkable inasnfuch as the only service game lost therein was Crawford's in the seventh game. For sustained excitement, fierce hitting and wonderful recoveries, especially Nunoi's, this set was the peak point of the match. The standard dropped considerably in the fifth, Satoh particularly failing to repeat yesterday's, overhead skill and Crawford often erring, taking high balls which Quist was able to kill with greater certainty. The Japanese fought splendidly at the finish to stave off defeat when the Australians were ahead 5-2 and 40-0. Then Quist clinched tlu> rubber on his service, the strength of which is shown by the fact that he lost only two of the 17 service games throughout.

SPECTATORS AGAIN NOISY.

QUI ST PLAYS BRILLIANTLY

(Received This Day, 1.50 p.m.) . PAiILS, June IS

After an exciting match, Australia qualified to meet Britain in the final of the European zone, the hest Australian performance for many years. Crawford and Quist acquitted themselves memorably in their first partnership, displaying harmony of game. *

Although the newspaper "L'Auto" had soundly scolded French spectators owing to their barracking on Saturday, those present were vocal all the afternoon, and disagreed with the judgment of the officials regarding the condition of the court, which was sloppy, following heavy showers, and demanded play to begin on time. The players agreed, although it was still raining, compelling an adjournment after the first game, and again at the end of the first set. Other adjournments were also necessary, owing to exciting whistling, hissing, and booing, which were frequent when the onlookers considered the linesmen were negligent. Several times they thought the Australians were given the benefit of the doubt. ~.„, The match was full of scintillating tennis, but notable for the inability of the Australians to ram victory home Morally they won several times. They had three set points in the second set, when they led 6-3, and forty love on Satoh's service. They also led 5-2, 40-15 on Satoh s service in the final set. and yet this developed into a long advantage game. Similarly the Australians failed to win games when they held a commanding position, sometimes through over anxiety, and sometimes audacity. Quist although this was his first serious Davis Cud contest, acquitted himself magnificently, and served with great power. He killed the majority of smashes, and won points with, drives down the centre. Crawford displayed his customary courtcraft. Satoh was a little out of touch, but Nunoi was remarkably consistent, and retrieved brilliantly.