LAWN TENNIS

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20957, 11 September 1933, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS

—o— SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP AN ALL-BRITISH FINAL CRAWFORD TO MEET PERRY (UNITED PRESS . ASSOCIATION—BY EI.ECTIUC TELEGRAPH— COPYRIGHT.) (Received September 10, 8.20 p.m.) FOREST HILLS, September 9. J. B. Crawford < Australia) and F. J. Perry (England) completed the rout of American contenders for the United States lawn tennis singles championship to-day when in the semi-finals they beat respectively Francis X. Shields (U.S.A.), and Lester R. Stoefen (U.S.A.). They will fight out an allBritish final to-day. Crawford gained a convincing win over Shields, whose recent performances have been such as to suggest that he is the leading] American player of the year. Perry, who has not met Crawford in this season's matches, is now the Australian's only obstacle to an achievement that has never been equalled, the winning of the singles championship of England, France, Australia, and America in the one year. Results: Fourth Kound. Clifford Sutter (U.S.A.) beat Vivian McGrath (Australia), 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 8-6. Quarter Finals. F J Perry (England) beat Adrian Quist (Australia), 6-4, 6-4, 6-0. Francis X. Shields (U.S.A.) beat Gregory Mangin (U.S.A.), 0-4, "6-4, 4-6, CO "Lester R. Stoefen (U.S.A.) beat B. M. Grant, jun. (U.S.A.), 8-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. J B. Crawford (Australia) beat Clifford Sutter (U.S.A.), 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. Semi-finals. F. J. Perry (Great Britain) beat L. R. Stoefen (U.S.A.), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. J. B. Crawford (Australia) beat F. X. Shields (U.S.A.), 7-5, 6-4, 6-3. Sutter v. McGrath. The Sutter-McGrath game was continued this morning from the overnight position, when McGrath led 3-1 in the fifth set. Sutter's exceptionally fine lobbing throughout the 10 concluding games, and McGrath's errors from the backhand toward the end, when he had a good chance of winning and became over-anxious, gave the American the match. McGrath ■was within a point of breaking through Sutter's service in the fifth and opening game twice, but Sutter pulled it out at 7-5 in points. The Australian lost his service in the next game, doublefaulting the last point, and the American drew into a 4-3 lead with the next game to lovei McGrath evened the score, also with a love game. McGrath was forced into errors from the backhand in the thirteenth game, losing it at 6-4 in points. He made one more gallant effort to retrieve his position in the fourteenth game, when he deuced the game from 1-3 in points. Sutter was four times match point and carried the day at the fifth opportunity.

Quist v. Perry. Quist began inauspiciously against Perry, losing his service, but he evened the tally by subjecting Perry to the same indignity, and the score stood at 2-2. Quist went into a decisive 4-2 lead by repeating the trick, having Won the last four games, allowing the Englishman only two points in each. Unfortunately, Quist could not maintain his«fine spurt, losing his service to love in the seventh game. His fore?2 d continued to fail, to which was added obvious disconcertment when foot faults were called on him. He seemed to crumple up completely, his service failing against his opponent, Perry taking three of the final four ,1" f ames *o love, and allowing him only *\ two points in the fourth. i» i th ? T secon d set Quist went to a 3-2 if* is S ame wa s judiciously varied Detween the back line and forecourt I volleying. Both Perry and Quist then won a game, the score then standing at 4-3 in the Australian's fav0Ur > but Perry evened it next game, and then draw out to 5-4 by taking the Australian's service. He allowed "is opponent only five points in the! last three games. Perry fell in an | effort to overtake a lob for the final Point in the final game; but it did not matter—it was out. He won that fur me to l° ve - ' Perry always seemed *ble to go out and win his games whenever threatened, while the Australian somehow lapsed into errors. The third set showed clearly that it was not Quist's day. His shots simply would not, come off, in exasperating contrast to his performance of the day <. before. He lost the first three .games with only two points, the last two games going to love. He threatened Perry'g /service in the fourth, but *e Englishman pulled it out at deuce, ffcen the Australian threw away his Service, and Perry finished him off Mth a scintillating display of his repertory of flashy shots. Quist scored Pnly eight points, and was quite delec.iefl nn i"—'•-'- V'". pr»tirt. _...-«..«. v. oattcr. Crawford speedily assumed a 3-1 ; ead, breaking through Sutter's serial' [ice. Crawford was content to play a pack-court game,'forcing the Amerij!: tan from the net whenever the latter

ran up. The Australian increased his lead to 4-2, and then 5-2 on another lapse in the American's service. Sutter netted or drove out continuously. Crawford was set point in the next game, only to double-fault, and have the game deuced. Sutter was then at advantage five times before he won the game and reduced the Australian's lead to 5-3. The latter was twice set point in the ninth agme, again to have Sutter deuce the game on Crawford's nets and his own placements. The Australian, however, bore down heavily and clinched the set after standing twice at advantage. In the second set the break came when Sutter was within a point of winning his service, yet he dropped it on errors, giving Crawford a 4-2 lead, which he increased to 5-2 on his own service. The players did net vary their tactics. Crawford hammered Sutter away from the net witn back-court forcing drives, while he himself was content to keep out of the forecourt. Sutter, on those infrequent occasions when the Australian assumed a volleying position, forced him back by lobbing. Crawford ran out set in the ninth game on his own service at 4-1 in points. In the third set Crawford was playing at ease, content to make it a ground duel, which Sutter could never terminate to his advantage. The inevitable break in Sutter's service came in the third game. Sutter, however, was 3-0 in points to account for the Australian's delivery in the next gamp, only to be compelled to relinquish nis attack, the Australian winning the next five points and the game, and going into a 3-1 lead. Service then held until Crawford ran the set out. | Crawford's Impressive Win. Crawford stood 40-0, to win his service in the first game against Shields, only to have the game deuced, but he pulled it out. Shields won the-second on an almost unreturnable service. It appeared that Crawford would have been content to exchange ground strokes with his opponent, whereas Shields was always the net-stormer, and made every bid to entice the Australian into the forecourt in order to volley past him. The Australian used the lob whenever possible, but not with any great success, because of the American's height. The Australian depended chiefly upon the perfect length which he gave to his drives, and his accuracy. Each lost his service, Crawford taking the sixth to love, and Shields the seventh to 30, both netting and outing. The Australian had a bad fall in the eighth game in trying to get back to one of Shields's overhead smashes. After that he limped noticeably. The Forest Hills courts this year are notoriously rough. The end came in the twelfth game, when Crawford returned each of Shields's four services with fine chops, and his opponent netted the returns. Crawford won four games to love in this set. In the second set, with the games 3-3, the Australian lapsed into errors, netting Shields's returns of service continuously. He dropped behind 3-4, but the Australian accounted for Shields's delivery in the next game and the score was 4-4. The American was within a point of breaking through the Australian's service in the next game, but Crawford then displayed his full versatility. His flat, cut drives worked perfectly. Compelled to run up to the net, he smashed with strength and precision. He even got after Shields's deep lobs with astonishing nimbleness. He won the game and led 5-4. Shields served two double faults and netted twice in the next game, to give the Australian the set. In the third set Shields was within a point of losing his service in the sixth game, but in his first display of really bravura tennis, that left the Australian flat-footed, he retrieved his position. He was unable to maintain the pace, however. Crawford's stroking was like clockwork. His precision and extraordinary timing sense made his play almost perfect. Since the days of Tilden, Cochet, Lacoste, and Shimidzu, Americans had not seen such tennis as the Australian pro- i duced. He achieved the necessary break in Shields's service in the eighth

game, and won the final game to love. ; He walked off the courts placidly I sucking half a lemon, while the largest ; crowd that has ever watched a tennis [ match in America—probably 20,000, ! extra grandstands Having been erected ; on the stadium court —cheered and ■ hurled their seat cushions in the air. Perry Wins Easily. Perry, hammering Stoefen's backhand, the latter's weakest shot, broke ; through Stoefen's service in the eighth game, to give him the first set on his own service. In the second set the American proved no match for the Englishman. With the score 5-1, Perry had allowed Stoefen only nine points. Although the Englishman lapsed into errors, his service game, the eighth, gave him the set. Stoefen's backhand was so continuously bad he was unable to win when victory was practically handed to him. His debacle in the final set was even more complete. Perry, in the last two darys, has been playing at the top of his form, v/ith a smoothness and ease that, if I maintained to-morrow, will make him one of the most formidable finalists in the history of the national singles. With Crawford's and Perry's victories, it will be an all-British final, and it will be the first time an Australian has competed for the honour. EMPIRE REGAINS OLD SUPREMACY AMERICAN TRIBUTE TO PERRY AND CRAWFORD (Received September 10, 7:20 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 9. The "New York Herald-Tribune," m a leading article headed "An All-Brit-ish Final," praises the victories of Perry and Crawford. It says: "The

; British Empire has regained its old • pre-war supremacy through the brilliant play of Perry and Crawford. Outside a few super-patriots and those ; extraordinary directors of American ! tennis policy who seem to view the amateur game as a very grim business, there will be only general applause at the results. For the connoisseur no player in recent years has risen to equal Crawford in interest. The subtlety and finesse of his shots and the ease with which they are produced gives an impression of effortlessness that conceals extraordinary craftmanshiD. History is repeating itself, for Crawford is a worthy successor to the great Norman Brookes, who made tennis history in these parts years ago." MIDDLE STATES TITLES MISS RIDLEY'S SUCCESS (Received September 10, 9.20 p.m.) PHILADELPHIA, September 9. Miss Joan Ridley (England) to-day won the Middle States women's tennis championship by beating Miss Alice Francis (New Jersey), 6-2, 6-2. Misses Joan Ridley (England) and Alice Francis (Orange, New York) won the Middle States women's doubles championship, beating Misses Anne Page (Merion) and Cecilia Riegel (Philadelphia). 9-7, 6-1. I Miss Ridlev reached the title round of the singles event with a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Miss Anne Page. NEW ZEALANDERS' SUCCESS STEDMAN AND ANDREWS IN ENGLAND (Received September 10, 8.26 p.m.) LONDON, September 9. E. D. Andrews (New Zealand) and A. C. Stedinan (New Zealand) are included in the British International Club's team, which is playing against Holland at Eastbourne. Great Britain leads by eight matches to love. Andrews beat H. Timmcr, 7-5, 6-8, 6-3. Stcdman beat Lcemoruggen, 6-4, 7-5. The New Zealandcrs, in partnership, won their doubles match. VINES'S INTENTIONS PROFESSIONALISM STORY REVIVED (Received September 10, 8.30 p.m.) FOREST HILLS, September 9. PI. Ellsworth Vines, in spite of his failure to reach the quarter-finals in the defence of the national tennis championship, and his reluctance, thus far, to commit himself to a professional contract, is expected to follow the lead of Henri Cochet (France), and to become a professional before the end of the year. It is authoritatively understood that in spite of denials Vines agreed to talk definite terms to join Tilden in a tour of Philadelphia. COCHET'S DECISION (Received September 10, 8.31 p.m.) PARIS, September 9. Henri Cochet has definitely decided to turn professional. WOOLSTON CLUB NEW SEASON OPENED

The Mayor of Christchurch, Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., officially declared the Woolston Tennis Club's new season opened on Saturday afternoon. After congratulating the club on its progress, Mr Sullivan served the first ball to Mrs A. P. Hobson. There was a good attendance of members and friends, and the courts were in good order. An exhibition singles match was played between C. E. Malfroy and T. Rhodes-Williams, Malfroy winning 6-4. Malfroy and Miss Dick and Rhodes-Williams and I Miss Boyd played a combined doubles match. i ST. PHILIP'S CLUB The ninth annual meeting of St. Philip's Tennis Club was held recently. The president, the Rev. E. C. W. Powell, presided over a large attendance of members. The annual report disclosed that an excellent season had been experienced from both the playing and social points of view. The balance-sheets showed a very satisfactory position. The president congratulated the officers and members on the result achieved. The courts had been repaired and top-dressed, and were in very good order. A volley-board had been erected, and the keenness displayed augured well for the club's future.

The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, the Rev. E. C. W. Powell; vice-presidents, Messrs H. W. Bowles, Campion, W. Fox, W. J. Gabb, A. W. McWhannell, F. A. Smith, H. C. Smith, N. C. M. Turner, Vincent, and H. W. Walker; club captain, Mr N. Milne; vice-captain, Mr J. Campbell; women's captain, Miss Hutton; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr L. H. McCalman; assistant secretary, Miss D. McFall; hon. auditor, Mr G. H. Palmer; committee, Mrs Gabb, Miss Good ; Miss Langridge, Messrs E. Lawrence, C. W. Kirk, H. Palmer, and C. Cowley. The opening day for the new season was fixed for September 23.