DAVIS CUP TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 111, 13 May 1935, Page 9

DAVIS CUP TENNIS

AUSTRALIANS TOO GOOD NEW ZEALANDERS DEFEATEDI THE "OPENING SINGLES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. « LONDON, May 11. Australia and New Zealand met in a preliminary round of the Davis Cup series at Eastbourne today. Following are the results, Australian players mentioned first:— SINGLES. J. H. Crawford defeated E. D. Andrews, 6-4, 64, 7-5. V. B. McGrath defeated A. C. Stedman, 6-3, 6-2, 8-6. • The Australian Press Association correspondent says everything went according to plan in Australia's first contest against their former Davis Cup ally. Thanks chiefly to" his awkward kicking service, delivered from repeatedly changed positions in order to increase variety. * Andrews obtained a 3-1 lead against Crawford, but the latter,- once warmed up, quickly demonstrated his superiority, showing a delicacy of touchi , His forehand and backhand driving were impressive, and he showed subtlety in volleying. Andrews in the second set led 2-0 r but despite his pertinacity and determination in going for outright winners, he did" not succeed yin looking' more than a keen sparring partner for Crawford, who had ample reserve power and versatility whenever the pressure was applied. v< v • '' In the third set Crawford added vigour to confidence. His service and driving were harder without loss of marksmanship, and he outdrove and outmanoeuvred the New Zealander until he led 5-2. Andrews profited from a brief lapse and. drew level, but Crawford, responding to the challenge, resumed his comfortable mastery. Andrews," though inadequately equipped with strokes, showed himself a good fighting match player. He did as well as expected against the 1933 Wimbledon champion in something approaching championship mood. STEDMAN SOON BEATEN. Sixty-five minutes sufficed for McGrath to vanquish'Stedman, a competent player without distinction except a forehand drive to which \ McGrath allowed very little scope. As long as the rallies were confined to medium pace, deep length driving,' the New Zealander held his own, but he was • unable to handle McGrath's hard hitting into the corners... He was com'; pletely helpless-when the Australian; finding him out of position, brought him scurrying vainly to the net Stedman was clearly reluctant to leave the baseline for a good cause—a fear of the stinging backhand drives from the line which McGrath employed with success .every time hfr forced the New Zealander to come to the net In the third set Stedmaniled 5-4 after an exhausting ninth game,- but McGrath, like. Crawford, always seemed to hold plenty of reserve. Two thousand people were present The weather was bright and windy. Mr. H.-Hopman, in the "Sun-Herald;" says Stedman's stubbornness resulted in long rallies and dose games. The New Zealander was the victim of unhappy decisions in" the second set costing, him, the. ninth game. ' Australia and New Zealand bad not previously met in a Davis Cup match. (Today the doubles match between Crawford and; Quist .'(Australia) and Stedman and. Malfroy '■ (Ne\y Zealand) is to be played. PRACTICE YESTERDAY GROUNDSMAN'S WORK DONE , (Received May 13, 11 a-m.) LONDON, May 12. . When they wanted ■ practice today, the Australian and New Zealand tennis teams, in the absence of the grounds: man, worked half an hour removing "the canvas coverings from the Davis Cup courts at Eastbourne. The New Zealanders keenly watched the Australians at doubles practice. They also practised, but a bitterly cold wind handicapped the players. Mr. Wallis Myers,. commenting in the "Daily Telegraph" on yesterday's singles, says: "It cannot be said that either match quickened the pulse 'or' called for sustained applause. A gusty wind affected the accuracy of all the players.; Maybe Australia and New Zealand, who were formerly successful allies in the Davis Cup competition, are too closely related either to feel anxious or to get at, each other's throats." • AMERICAN WIN ~\ ■ SINGLES AGAINST CHINA (Received May 13, 10 sum.). NEW YORK, May 12. ' In the Davis Cup match between the United States and China at Mexico City yesterday Budge Mako defeated Sin Kie Kho, 64, 6-1, 6-8, 6-2, and also defeated Cheng Kho, 7-5, 6-2, 6-1. FINAL AT HARROGATE (Received May" 13, 10 a.m.) LONDON, May 12. At the Harrogate tennis tournament, in the final of the women's singles, Miss J. C. Ridley defeated Miss Joan Hartigan (Australia), 6-2, 6-3.