AUSTRALIANS WIN

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 254, 23 July 1936, Page 9

AUSTRALIANS WIN

To Meet England In Davis Cup Final

GERMANY ELIMINATED McGrath Beats Henkel In Deciding Match By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyrighi. London, July 21. Australia won the. Davis Cup interzone final against Germany by four matches to one, taking both the concluding singles to-day, and will meet Great Britain in the challenge round which commences on Saturday. The results were:— V. B. McGrath (Australia) beat H. Henkel (Germany), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. J. H. Crawford (Australia) beat 11. Denker (Germany), 6-3, 6-1, 6-4.

After McGrath’s win had decided the match G. von Cramm withdrew and was replaced by Denker. McGrath began nervously against Henkel, and was trailing 0-3. He then found accurate touch and captured six games in a row for the set. Over-driving and netting by McGrath enabled the German to lead 5-3 in the second set. The Australian then won two games by forcing tactics, but Henkel won the set on McGrath’s errors in the next two games. The third set was uninspiring, but McGrath, serving better than hitherto, held his service in the tenth game to love for the set.

The Australian placed his shots cleverly and smashed severely in the fourth set, running to a 4-0 lead. The third game saw a great battle, McGrath winning after 11 deuces. Henkel, now fighting for his life, put in very swift services and clever placements and evened the game at 4-4. He was unable to continue the pressure, however, and lost his service in the ninth game through McGrath’s excellent returns. McGrath, serving strongly, dominated the court in the next game, which he won to love and put Australia into the challenge round. McGrath used winning openings more effectively than Henkel, and also had Henkel guessing with variations in pace and length and occasionally clev-erly-disguised direction shots. Denker deputised for von Cramm. who did not play owing to an injury. This was practically nn exhibition match. Crawford played delightful tennis and had Denker continually guessing. The German was not able to extend the Australian, who maintained an easy display and continued untroubled to the end.

The Australian manager (Mr. C. Sproule) stated that Quist was much better and will be fit to play against Britain. “We sympathise with Germany, who had her own troubles," he said. "Henkel to-day was not quite fit, nevertheless McGrath played splendidly.” Von Cramm said: "The Australians are certainly a wonderful team to lose their champion and have a reserve ready and able to win two vital matches. They have our congratulations.”