TENNIS STARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 68, 22 March 1937, Page 8

TENNIS STARS.

DAVIS CUP HOPES.

AUSTRALIAN TEAM.

EXHIBITION IN AUCKLAND.

x ARTISTRY AT STANLEY ST.

Warm favouritee for this year's Davis Cup cpnteet, members of the Australian team, J. fi. Crawford (captain), A. K. Quist, V. B. McGrath and the 18-year-old John Bromwich, with C. E. Sproule ae manager, arrived in Auckland by the Niagara from Sydney this morning. This afternoon they played brilliant exhibition matches, to the delight of crowded stands at Stanley Street.

With all four plnyers at the very top of their form, and with the experience of past contests to guide them, the Australian team's chances are regarded by their manager as better than they have been for many eeasons. "We are more optimistic this year than we have ever been," said Sproule. "We are expecting big things from young Bromwich. He is capable of doing anything. Qiiist and McGrath are now sound, seasoned players with victories over the world's beet to their credit. Crawford can reach such dazzling heights that at times he can beat anybody."

Who will play in singles and who in doublee has not yet been decided. No decision would be made until just before the zone match ajrainst America, said Sproule. It would depend entirely on health and form. At the moment all members of the team were in first class condition and eager to "get on with the job." They were full of confidence and optimism, and they were right after the cup which had eluded them eo long. They realised that their chances had never been brighter. Amazing Bromwich. Interest in the packed stands at Stanley Street, in the first of the exhibition matches in which Bromwich and Quiet faced each other, was focused ' mainly on Bromwich. Auckland was plainly eager to see something of the unusual style of this player, of whom high hopes are held in Davis Cup circles. His distinctive oharacterietics were soon seen. It was noticed first that he dropped the second ball from his hand after delivering the first service. He served with hie right hand but in playing shots on the left he used the left hand. For balls on the right he employed both hands, except when they were almost out of reach. These he dived at with the right hand only.

Tre play of Quint, of course, attracted keen interest, and the gallery noticed a degree of subtlety in hie play that was not apparent when he first appeared in Auckland. In the first eet, which weut to Bromwich, by 6—4, the winner stayed on the back line and seldom went to the net. Quist, however, frequently went in and volleyed brilliantly. On occasions Bromwich won applause with brilliant passing shots from his extraordinary double-handed stroke. Fighting Hard For Points. With a brilliant attack Q*uiet quickly ran to a useful lead in the second eet, and Bromwich had to fight hard for points. Quiet was. in brilliant mood and won many points with a dazzling net attack. Bromwich was unperturbed, but he couli find no counter to the speed of his opponent's shots. Both players had now warmed- up, and the second set was played with amazing speed. Each hit the rising ball. Quiet's whirlwind attack won him the set at 6—2.

In the last set, which Quist won 6— i, and so took the match, he played a steady game, while his opponent struck a bad pa'.eh. Bromwich netted several times and put a number of balls out.