QUISTS RISE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 302, 21 December 1935, Page 5 (Supplement)

QUISTS RISE.

Now Ranks Above Crawford in

Australian Tennis,

Three months ago wo took it for granted that Jack Crawford, holding champion of Australia, Victoria, Xew South Wales and Queensland, could defeat any Australian player at will, writes a Melbourne ijritic.

This proved a demelon when Adrian Quiiit, the- young .South Australian and JJavis Oup representative, eliminated Crawford from the semi-finals of the Xew South Wales championship, and. then defeated Hopman in the final.

After seeing the ea<ie with which Crawford handled Quiet laet season, I subscribed to the view that the day of tlie younger man was not yet here. Crawford defeated Quist for the Queensland title, gave him a tennis lesson in the final of the Victorian championship, and then eliminated him in the semifinals of the national singles.

On reflection, however, it i.s noted that Quint all this time was bustling Crawford if only in patches. His tennis showed wonderful promise last season, especially after lie thrashed Perry in the semi-finals of the Victorian championships. Ho went abroad with the Davis Cup team threatening the position of Vivian MeGrath as second singles string to Crawford. Abroad he was a dieappointment in singles. His doubles play, however, won him praise in all countries.

To-day Quist is a better player than ever before. He hae always been an efficient stroke maker of tlie orthodox school, but lacked something in tactics when he came up against the bigger men of the game. Crawford, in particular, seemed to hold him where and when he would. This is understandable, for Quist, for years, hae been Crawford's opponent when training for Davis Cup ties. Perhaps Quist has been so improved by Crawford's methods that he hae lacked something of confidence in playing him. That day lias passed. Now Quist has become so accustomed to Crawford's methods that he can anticipate Crawford's every move. He runs instinctively (o the ppot where Crawford will put the ball.

All this must be worrying to Crawford. who lias never shown a great deal of initiative, and who has invariably fiuceumbed to the man who has broken through his plan of campaign. Quist'a shots from the back of the court are good that Crawford is not now Ilia master from this region. He varies his pace and length as readily as does Crawford. Closer in Quist is twice the man Crawford is.

That is putting the rosy side of Quiet's case. On the other hand. Crawford must, be recognised as the man with (he odds in hand. ' will have to take the initiative.- , for Crawford is far too steady a. player to defeat himself, while Quist waits. Quist, has to master Crawford's passing flints, npsot hi.s angling, in fact, bike- all (lie chances in the effort to force Crawford out of position.

T think Quist's activity and stamina will enable him to do this.