A GAME LOSER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 170, 20 July 1936, Page 15

A GAME LOSER.

QUIST IN DAVIS CUP. SERIOUS ANKLE INJURY. HENKEL RETIRES INDISPOSED. LONDON, July 19. Two singles were played on Saturday at Wimbledon in the inter-zone final of the Davis Cup contest between Australia and Germany. Results:— G. von Cramm defeated A. K. Quist, 4—6, 6—4, 4—6, 6—4, 11—9. J. H. Crawford defeated H. Henkel, C—2, 6—2. Henkel then retired owing to indisposition. Henkel was weak after his chill and his decision to play was deferred until at late as possible. Crawford in the circumstances was always master of liis opponent, who played an apathetic game, lacking his usual determination. His service was less fiery than ordinarily. Heinrich Klenischrotli (1927-1930 Davis Cup player), the manager of the German Davis Cup team, confirmed the fact that Henkel did not intend to finish his match with Crawford, as he realised that be could not last the full distance. Quist Loses Three Match Points. Quist went down fighting a strenuous match against the German champion. lie fell heavily in the first game of the second set and injured an ankle, in spite of which 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 good strokes. The Australian player took an attractive first set after 20 minutes' play. He lost the second set after finding von Cramm's service harder to handle, the Gprman taking five games in a row. Quist won the third set, lost the fourth and then gave Cramm a great battle in the fifth, the German finally prevailing at 11-9. In the ninth and tenth games Quist held off five match points and later another four. Quist at B—78 —7 had three match points, but lost them all. The match lasted 2% hours. Quist's heroic effort astonished everyone and both players received an ovation. Will Live Long in Memory. Critics state that Quist had not previously produced anything in England remotely comparable to his form in the singles, the memory of the closing stages of which will live long. _ Cramm plunged for winners, often raising chalk clouds and more often missing the lines by a fraction, and Quist saved match point after match point with an iron will and extraordinary sureness and activity in spite of an ankle so badly strained. He found afterwards when the lust for battle had vanished that he could scarcely walk. Each player had the mortification of seeing match points vanish, but neither lost heart. An analysis showing the difference of 15 points was the best indication of what might have been, Cramm had the advantage of extra severity. He plays with a smaller margin of error than Quist and consequently suffered more from the gale. The fact that he always increased his pace when in danger, instead of altering his tactics, testified to his stoutness of heart. Survival of the Fitter. Cramm's service and the way Quist took it ill the fifth set were memorable, Quist's relief was apparent on his face when many of the cannon balls, which were impossible to reach, were providentially called out by microscopic margins. Quist's strained ankle may destroy Australia's chance of challenging Britain. The foot was so swollen after the match that lie could not put on his shoe. The ankle will be X-rayed to-night. Quist's participation in the doubles on Monday is questionable, but the decision need not be made until an hour before the match. However, the real need for Quist is against Henkel on Tuesday. If Henkel is not fit for Monday's doubles he will be replaced by Lund.