BUDGE CHAMPION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 156, 3 July 1937, Page 9

BUDGE CHAMPION.

BRITISH TENNIS. American Conquers Cramm in Straight Sets. CUP DEFENDERS SELECTED. United Press Association.—Coj>jTl£fct. (Received 10 aJiO LONDON", .luly 2. The centre court at Wi'iibledon vas crowded this afternoon \<< v :iness the final of the men's singles in the British lawn tennis championship tournament. The match was won by .T. P. Budge (United States), who heat Baron <;. von Cramm (Germany), 6 —3. C—9. G—2. Tliis made the German runner-up for the last three years. Both finalists started at top speed, but Cramm captured Budge's opening service, and finding a length sooner, led 3—l. Budge, however, then found ouch and. scoring with magiiificrnt passing s-hots, won five games in a row for set. The German found Budge's speedy driving and volleying too difficult to counter, and the American led 2—o in the second set. Thus he had won seven successive games. Cramm also found Budge's '"kicking" service difficult to handle, but evened at 3—3. Budge then again produced fierce services, and passing shots, to take the set. In the third set Cramm apparently lost much of his speed and resilience, and was unable to reply to the American's greater strength. However, he fought hard, several games going to deuce. Budge had three match points at 5—2, and won the final game only after four deuces. The American won the match because of greater speed, forcing Cramm to make his strokes quicker than he liked. The match lasted 63 minutes, one of the fastest of recent finals. Budge gave a. remarkable performance, and went through the championship tournament losing only one set. Hughes and Tuckey rattled through Menzel and Hecht at terrific pace, killing many weak lobs by Menzel, who was sadly out of form. The other semi-final in the men's doubles was one of the finest ever played at the championships. The Germans generally were dominant in the first and second sets, in which they

produced many brilliant volleys. Budjre and Mako then rallied strongly; and, serving and smashing with great effect, won a spectacular match. It was characterised by many miraculous recoveries by both sides. It is announced that the British team to defend the Davis Cup against tlie survivor of Germany-Czechoslovakia-America, will be H. W. Austin. C. li. Hare, G. P. Hughes and C. E. D. Tuckey. Results:— Men's Singles.—Final: J. D. Budpc (United States) beat G. vou Cramm (Germany), o—3, C—l, 6—2. Men's Double*.—Semi-finals: O. Y. Hughes and C 15. D. Tuckey (Britain, holders of title) beat K. Menzel and 1Hecht (Czechoslovakia), o—2, G—2. O—J-. J. D. Budge and C. G. Mako (United States) beat G. von Cramin and 11. Henkel (Germany), 4—o, 4—o, o—2, G—», o—3. Women's Doubles. —Semi-finals: Mine. K. Mathieu (France) and Miss A. M„ Vorke (Britain) beat Misses E. M. Dearinan and J. Ingram (Britain). 7—i», 6 —3; Mesdames M. R. King and .1. B. Pitt man (Britain) beat Mmes. Andrus and Henrot in (France), G —3, G—l. Mixed Doubles. — Seiiii-f.nals: -T. Tctra and Mme. K. Mathieu (Frame) heat D. IVenn (former (Jcrniaii Davis Cup player) and Miss K. M. Dearman (Britain), o—2, 6 —l.

J. Donald Budge was bom in California ■i 1916. So. only 21 years old. be follow* 11 the footsteps of his illustrious preloccssor from the Pacific Coast, H_ £. who was Britkh in« 1932. Ihe latter also won the United State* title in 1331 and 1932. So far Budge baa not annexed the championship of his own country; although last year he took the ureal F. J. Perry to five sets before tbe Englishman won his third American title, 2—6, 6—2, B—6, I—6, 16—8. It was explained in Thursday's "Auckland Star" that Cratnm and Budge bad met twice previous to Friday's Wimbledon final, the German bavins won in the 1934 semi-final in four sets, and Budge. a I fortnight later, in the Davis Cup inter--1 zone final. o—6, 9—7, B—6, 6—3. At Wimbledon last year Budge fell in four sets to Perry (semi-final), who had also conquered the fiery American. C—o, 6—B, 6—3. 6 —*. in the Davis Cup challenge round of 1935. Curiously. Budge was beaten by B. M. Grant. 6-4. 6 4. 5 -7, 6-3. in the 1935 I'.S.A. championship; Perry (holder 1933 and ]f!34. besides 1936) also" losing at Forest Hills lhat year, I Wilnicr Allison beating him in the aemi*inal. 7— 5. 6- 3. 6—3. and going on to anquish Sidney Wood in the final, 6—2, --2. 6—3. A striking commentary on the Davis "up .prospects i* that the probable second iritish single. C. K. Hare I Warwickshire eft-hander) was not in the 'seeded" eight it. Wimbledon. Budge seems certain to rill both singles agaius: < !;brr Germany >r Britain: and ihe American double* lave already had a win Germany s >avis ("up jia-r in ill'- Wnnliledon srniiilial. As Paiker !>cal H~nke] in the juarlcr-finals of the Brilish championships. Grant should he able to follow his •ountryman s cxamp'e if Germany ■hminatejj Chechoslovakia, as seems •crtain. Hcn<e. if it came to a BrilishL_".S.A. final, appearances point to the lolder of the trophy having a chance in ■■nly one shiclc (Austin heat llie injm-ed Irani at Wimbledonl. and in the doubles, in which, however, thev will meet a trilhant American combination.

MALFROY TO REST.

BREAKDOWN IN HEALTH. ' !•} Telo«r" ]«h. I*r<*Nv Assoc-im ir-n. 1 \VrLUXf;T<!N. tM- <1..\. Advice has lieeii received that < . Malfroy. the well km.mm Ne u Zealand tennis player I l)..m : .niu:i ehatnj.i. .'i. lll.'Ut, ha- been oliliped to up Ihe panic for three month--. owing to a breakdown in health