EXCELLENT TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 258, 28 July 1936, Page 9

EXCELLENT TENNIS

Austin’s Defeat of Crawford OTHER MATCH PATCHY London, July 26. Austin achieved one of the finest performances in his career in defeating Crawford in Saturday’s play in the Davis Cup challenge round. Austin discovered a method of defeating the Australian’s tactics and succeeded in disturbing Crawford’s game by cleverlymixing defence and attack and suddenly advancing to t>be net. Nevertheless the play of both reached classical heights compared with which the Quist-Perry match was very patchy. It must be admitted that the numerous interruptions disturbed the concentration of t.he English and Australian champions.

Quist, although he was pronounced fit, s.eemed less resilient than usual, perhaps through fear that his ankle would not. stand too great a strain, but it must be remembered that Perry is a very difficult player to oppose owing to his speed and unorthodoxy, and surprising powers of recovery from difficult angles. However, Quist was sometimes equally quick. He played as well as against von Cramm but Perry, despite erratic patches, always steadied himself when disaster was menacing him. The Australian manager, Mr. C. Sproule, told the Australian Associated Press Agency: “We have not lost heart. Funny things happen in tennis matches.” OPTIMISTS IN AUSTRALIA Sydney, July 27. The failure of Australia in the first singles in the Davis Cup contest has come as a shock to people who, in expectation of an Australian victory, have written to the lawn tennis officials asking that seats be booked for them for the Davis Cup tie at Melbourne next; year. More than 50 such letters have beeu received from tennis optimists.