DISAPPOINTING GAME

Evening Star, Issue 22382, 4 July 1936, Page 19

DISAPPOINTING GAME

WIMBLEDON SINGLES FINAL PERRY DEFEATS VON GRAMM GERMAN INJURES LEG IN FIRST SET Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON. July •'!. (Received July 4, at 10 a.m.) MEN’S SINGLES. FINAL. Perry defeated von Gramm, 6-1, C-l, 6-0. MEN’S DOUBLES. SEMI-FINALS. Hare and Wilde defeated Borotra and Brugnon, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4. • Hughes and Tuckey defeated Allison and van Ryn, 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 11-9. MIXED DOUBLES. QUARTER-FINAL. Malfroy and Mrs Sperling defeated Legeay and Mile Henrotin, 7-5, 6-3. SEMI-FINAL. Budge and Mrs Fabyan defeated Malfroy and Mrs Sperling, 6-4, 6-3,

THIGH MUSCLE TORN YON GRAMM’S SPORTSMANSHIP. Von Gramm tore a thigh muscle in the first service he delivered. Perry was immediately aware of the injury, but von Gramm chivalrously endeavoured to conceal it from the crowd and managed to last out the first set without the appearance of more than a serious lapse of form. Thereafter he was obviously unfit, but did not complain. The umpire announced after the match that von Gramm had strained a muscle in his first service of the match, and that he was very sorry he could not play better. Perry said: “I cannot say how sorry I’am . that this should have happened, I admire the manner in which von Gramm tried to fight on when he was obviously in pain.’ Von Gramm told the Associated Press: “ Tho match for me lasted one game.” ... A doctor has seen the injury, and it is not yet known whether von Gramm will be fit for the Davis Cup against Yugoslavia next week-end. Critics fear that without von Gramm Germany will lose the tie. ’ A capacity crowd of 17,000 was present as Perry and von Gramm entered the centre court. Perry, . attacking with his service, toofe the first game after nine deuces. Von Gramm was playing with intense concentration, but Perry’s deep game was more accurate and broke Gramm’s service for a 3-1 lead. Perry’s speed caused a strange breakdown in von Gramm’s driving, tbe Englishman winning the set in 20 minutes. Von Gramm occasionally scored with a passing shot in the second set, but found himself subdued- by .the champion’s zest. Perry’s drives appeared to leave von Gramm standing. Later is was revealed that von Gramm was handicapped by a damaged leg.- Perry won the second set in 10 minutes. Von Gramm; who is not the type of player to exaggerate misfortunes, was limping so painfully in the third set that he was unable to do anything with strokes to which he had to run. With Perry continuing the attack a<fc the top of his form Perry took the third set as ho liked. The match was all over in 40 minutes. . It was one of the most disappointing finals ever seen at Wimbledon, von Gramm’s accident dimming_ the lustre of Perry’s achievement in winning thrice in succession, the first time since Wilding did so before the war. THE MEN’S DOUBLES.

With Borotra bounding less nimbly than usual owing to a leg injury Hare and Wilde comfortably defeated the French pair. Wilde served a number of aces, while left-handed Hare’s Jong reach upset many of the Frenchman’s schemes. The Englishmen were more severe and reliable almost throughout. With last year’s Davis Cup defeat to avenge Allison and Van Ryn again found much of their old penetrating skill against Hughes and Tuckey, but the Englishmen served brilliantly. Tuckey was deadly overhead. His backhand was much improved, being probably the best of tho four. The fourth set saw a hard battle, but the Englishmen’s greater power overhead gave them the victory.

PERRY’S FRIENDLY GESTURE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 3. (Received July 4, at noon.) When Perry noticed that vou Gramm was limping he gallantly suggested that he should see a masseur, but von Gramm played gamely on, and at the conclusion the umpire, at his request, announced what had happened. Perry offered to allow von Gramm to leave the court for treatment, which the German gamely refused. Perry then seemed momentarily doubtful whether to relax his pressure or complete the match as soon as possible. Ho quickly decided on the latter, and his form was convincing enough to suggest that he would have won in any case. A doctor who attended Gramm says he is not likely to be fully fit for nine days. Tlic doubles final will be the first allEnglish final since the war.