DAVIS CUP

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 237, 20 July 1936, Page 7

DAVIS CUP

THE INTER-ZONE FINAL.

AUSTRALIA EVEN WITH GERMANY (United Press Association— Copyrights LONDON, July 18. The first day’s play in the Davis Cup inter-zone final between Australia and Germany at Wimbledon ended with honours even after G. von Cramm (Germany), second ranked player in the world, had fought off a great challenge by the young Australian, Adi ian Quist, at 11.9, in the fifth set. Quist saved five match points when the German was leading 5-3, 5-4, and latei another four, and he himself reached match point three times in the sixteenth game. J. H. Crawford (Australia) easily won the first two sets from Heinei Henkel, who retired owing to indisposition, but Australian hopes have received a set-back owing to Quist straining an ankle in his match. He may not be fit to play in the doubles. Henkel also may be replaced in the German doubles bv K. Lund. * The scores in the first day’s singles matches were:— G. von Cramm (Germany) beat A. K. Quist (Australia) 4-6, 6-4, 4-6, 64, H-9. J. H. Crawford (Australia) beat H. Henkel (Germany) 6-2, 6-2 (retired). A Marathon Match. Quist went down fighting in a marathon match against the German champion. Quist fell heavily in the first game of the second set and damaged an ankle. In spite of this he disputed the lead right to the end. A fierce wind made conditions unpleasant and tested the skill of both players, and it is not surprising that bad errors were sandwiched between glorious strokes. Quist took an attractive first set after 20 minutes’ play. He dropped the second set, finding von Cramm’s service harder to handle. He won the third, lost the fourth, and then gave von Cramm a great battle in the fifth, the German finally prevailing at 11-9. The match lasted 2£ hours. Quist’s heroic efforts astonished everyone, and both players received an ovation. Henke* Not Fit. Henkel was weak after his chill, and the German manager’s decision to play him was deferred as fate as possible. Crawford was always the master of his opponent, who played an apathetic game, lacking its usual determination. His service, too, was less fiery than ordinarily. Herr H. 0. Kleinscroth, the manager of the German team, confirmed that Hlenkel did not intend to finish his match with Crawford because he realised he could not last the full distance. Quist’s Injury Serious. Critics declare that Quist has not previously produced anything in England remotely comparable to his play in the singles, the closing stages of which will live long in the memory of those who saw the game—von Cramm plunging for winners and often raising the chalk in clouds, but more than fractionally missing the lines, and Quist saving match point after match point with an iron will and extraordinary sureness and activity despite an ankle which was so. strained that he found afterwards, when the lust for battle had vanished, that he could scarcely walk. Each had the mortification of seeing match points vanish in creeping net-cords, but neither lost heart. Von Cramm had the advantage ot extra severity, blit he plays with a smaller margin of error than Quist. Consequently he suffered more from the gale. That he always increased his pace when in danger instead of altering his tactics testified to his stoutness of heart. His service, and the manner in which Quist took it in the fifth set, were memorable. Quist’s relief was apparent when many unreachable cannon-ball services providentially were called out by microscopic margins. Quist’s strained ankle may be fatal to the Ausfi alians’ chance of challenging Great I’iiiain. His foot was so swollen aft Jr the match that he could not get his snoe on. An X-ray examinai. or will be made to-night, and his participation in the doubles on Monday is doubtful. The decision need not be made until an hour before the match. Uowi-ver, the real need of Quist is against Henkel on Tuesday.

BRITAIN’S TEAM DEFEATED.

PRACTICE WITH AMERICANS. LONDON, July 18. The United States defeated Great Britain’s defending D'avis Cup team in a practice match at Eastbourne. J. D. Budge, following his victory over Austin on the first day, beat the English champion, F. j. Perry, in the deciding match. Results were:— Doubles. J. D. Budge and B. M. Grant i(United States) beat G. P. Hughes and C. R, D. Tuckey (Great Britain), 6-4, 6-2, 10-8. Singles. J. >D'. Budge (United States) beat F. J. Perry (Great Britain), 9-7, 7-5, 8-10, 7-5; 11. W. Austin (Great Britain) beat B. M. Grant (United States), 6-0, 6-2, 6-2.