DRAMATIC TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 283, 27 August 1935, Page 14

DRAMATIC TENNIS

Borotra’s Swan-song

In one of the most dramatic matches ever played on the centre court at Wimbledon, R. Menzel, the giant Czechoslovakian lawn tennis player, on July 2G beat Jean Borotra (France) by 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 2-6, 11-9 in the men’s singles championship, writes S. N. Doust. Borotra, 37 years old and giving away 10 years to Menzel, had been distracted by tlie challenge to a duel. This match lasted well over two hours, yet in that ever-to-be-remembered fifth set of 20 games, when lie was so exhausted that be was staggering about the court as if unconscious. Borotra only yielded after a most desperate fight to the last poin t. Both players several times fell heavily ■—■Menzel in the early stages, before he had accustomed himself to the court, and Borotra in the last set, mainly because of exhaustion.

Borotra won the first set. That was a good beginning, and he ought to have won the second, for at four games all he led by 40-0 on his own service in the next game. Had he won this set he could have dictated the course of the match. _ As it was he was so tired' that he was forced to rest in the third set, which Menzel woneasily. ■ Then Borotra attacked like one possessed. iHe played scintillating volleys in his old style, bis courtcraft in attacking Menzel’s backhand was beyond praise, and he squared the match at two sets all.

In the last set Borotra lost the first two games and the wiseacres said, “It is finished.” But Borotra won the next two.

Then both players lost their services, making the score three ail. After that the match went with the service till seven all, when Borotra lost his in the fifteenth game. When Menzel was leading by eight games to seven with his tremendous service to follow, Borotra became inspired, and to everyone’s surprise won a love game. Eight all —and how the crowd cheered! It put new life into the Frenchman, who .took the lead by winning his own service. “Can he win against Menzel’s service this time?” was the question asked by those near me. Borotra won the first point, Menzel the next two, Borotra the third, and only two points separated the Frenchman from what would have been the greatest victory at Wimbledon. But, overtaken, he volleyed into the net, and the match was again squared. Menzel then broke through Borotra s service and went to 40-15 on his own service. A rally followed and Borotra had a net-cord shot —40-30. Menzel served again, and after a sharp rally Borotra netted the ball and Menzel had won. \ , The cheers —for victor and vanquished —could be heard a mile away.