LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 303, 23 December 1933, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

AUSTRALIA WINS AGAIN. BRITAIN BEATEN IN 2ND TEST. McGRATH KNOCKS OUT PERRY. ' BRISBANE, December 22. Australia has "'on the lawn tennis Test against Britain by winning seven of the eight rubbers so far played. The remain.»g four rubbers will be played tomorrow. To-day's play resulted: — Singles.—Wilde (Britain) beat Moon (Australia), 7—5, 6—4; MeGrath (Australia) beat Perry (England), 3—6, 6 —2, (j—3; Hopman (Australia) beat Lec (Britain), ti—2. 3—6, B—6. Doubles.—McGrat'h and Quist (Australia) beat Hughes and Wilde (England), I—(J, 2—6, 6—2, 6—3, o—4. Although Moon started with great dash, and appeared to have Wilde's measure, lie later lapsed into errors, frequently netting the easiest of shots. Wilde made many remarkable recoveries, and altogether was more consistent, deliberately slowing his game to force outs by Moon. It was MeGrath's wonderful tenacity that enabled him to prevail over the British champion, who, in the first set, gave the impression that he would win in straight sets. MeGrath more than matched Perry's backhand, but Perry showed the greater strength on forehand and service. MeGrath hit many winners with a sharply-angled forehand. In the deciding set Perry appeared to be suffering from the great heat and offered little opposition. There was an absence of the sustained rallies which marked the earlier sets. Hopman and Lee provided stirring tennis. The Australian started off with great dash in the first set, but the Englishman got more pace into his shots in the second set, and Hopman made many errors, and was often passed. A great fight for the final developed, in which Hopman slowed up the play and made winners at the net. From mediocre club clas6 in the opening sets the tennis in the doubles rose to great heights in the later stages. Both MeGrath and Quist in the early stages failed on the easiest shots, but then they took charge and volleyed and smashed effectively. Quist was particularly severe overhead. They had redoubtable opponents, especially Hughes, whose recoveries were uncanny. He showed himself a truly great doubles player.