DAVIS CUP SENSATION

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 19, 22 July 1933, Page 13

DAVIS CUP SENSATION

AMERICANS LOSE SINGLES

BIG. BRITISH VICTORY

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received July 22, II a.m.) PARIS, July 21. In the inter-zone final -of the Davis Cup, H. W. Austin (Britain) defeated H. E. Vines (U.S.A.), 6-1," 6-1, .0-4; F. J. Perry (Britain) defeated W. E. iAllison, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4.

England's sensational straight-set I wins were the result of both Englishmen playing the game of their careers, and driving and smashing their way to victory without giving their opponents a chance to recover from the shock tactics employed.

The singles matches were played in stifling weather and before a. small attendance. Vines, playing with a strapped ankle, won his own service in the first set. Austin then sensationaHy took six games in succession, mak ing brilliant strokes, forcing Vines, by the use of angles, to come half-way up the court, and then skilfully passing him. Vines failed to overwhelm the Englishman with his fierce forehand drives, and became rattled. Ho did not attempt to save the set from a hopeless position in the last game, doublefaulting twice in succession. Vines crashed over terrific service aces in the second game of the second set to level'at 1-all, but the Englishman again won his own service and broke through Vines's for a 3-1 lead. The Americans, expecting Vines to come back, were dumbfounded wljen Austin took the fifth gamp. Vines, again double-faulting in the sixth game, enabled Austin to lead 5-1. The American tried to change his tactics, slowing the pace, but was still inaccurate and lost the set 1-6. . AUSTIN CONFIDENT. Austin opened confidently in the third set, capturing Vines's service. The American then settled down to a dour game, lobbing admirably, and began to find his volleying touch. He strengthened his service and 'ed 2-1, but Austin won the sternly-contested fourth game after nine deuces, and continued to lead to 5-3, where he was within two points of match when Vines, with a tremendous effort,, served cannonballs and reduced the lead to 5-4. Austin then won his service amid tremendous cheering. The match lasted only sixty-seven minutes. Perry also opened sensationally, breaking through Allison's service to, love and went on to 4-1 amid inexplicable protestations from the spectators, which the umpire sharply suppressed. ' Allison, like Vines, was outing, and Porry, who was easily superior,' won the set in ten minutes. Allison led 3-1 in the second set as tho result of good volleying. Perry recovered with shrewd- placements and crisp volleys. A grim duel developed at 4-all. Perry's fine volleying enabled him to forge ahead at 6-5, and he broke through Allison's service to love, making some remarkable kills and forcing tho pace tremendously. Perry led 3-1 in the third set, but became erratic, and Allison levelled at 4-all with two aces, but Perry recovered and won the set and match after two match-points. These two unexpectedly complete victories in the opening singles give Britain the opportunity of repeating the success" of 1931, when, after an interval of eleven years, she entered tho challenge round again. On that occasion the team was the same, Austin and Perry in singles, with Hughes and Perry as the doubles pair. Austin defeated Sidney B. Wood, the Wimbledon champion,, and Francis X. Shields, the runner-up, Perry beat Shields; but lost to Wood, and the Americans Lott and van Eyn. (who quite possibly will be the i American pair in the present contest) won the doubles. .

The outcome of the inter-zone final may easily determine) tlio winners of the Davis Cup, for the French team is badly shaken, with Borotra declaring that'ho has finished with singles, Cochet with the handicap of three successive defeats by Vinos and a loss to Crawford, and no first-class singles player able to replace them. Lacoste, after a serious illness, withdrew from the game, and his attempt to return last 3 rear was unsuccessful. Boussus has not developed as it was hoped he would. Therefor© a balanced team . such, as Britain possesses, or a side such as the United States is capable of fielding if Vines is in form, will have everything in its favour. Both the British and the Americans have npw gained suffi cient experience of the French courts and the French ball to be under small handicap in Paris, and last year the French conceded a substantial advantage to the challengers, the average age of the Gallic team being ten years higher than that of their rivals. Prance won the trophy last year on the magnificent work, of Borotra in his final match, but it is unlikely- that such a crisis can bring forth such a response again. ; In the match between the United States and Britain it is foolish to prophesy. Vines is capable of such great things that ho may recover and beat Perry, though it is unlikely on the evidence of recent form. Allison is quite capable of beating Austin, and the Americans should win the doubles. But the British lead is commanding, and even if the United States exerts every effort it is difficult to see how .they can win both closing singles. Allison lias been held in reserve in the United States this year, and he has evidently been slow in finding his feet after making the crossing. His match with Austin may well prove {he turning point of the whole contest.