DAVIS CUP TIE

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 July 1934, Page 7

DAVIS CUP TIE

AUSTRALIANS WIN SINGLES AMERICANS OUTPLAYED (BY CABLE —PBEBS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] LONDON, July 21. In the Davis Cup tennis tie America v. Australia, results in the singles were:— . Crawford (Australia) beat Shields (U.S.A.) 6/1; 6/2; 12/10. McGrath (Australia) beat Wood (U.S.A.) 7/5, 6/4, 1/6, 9/7. Probably, alphabetical priority accounted for the otherwise ominous fact that the American flag flew above the Australian flag on the Wimbledon Club’s flagstaffs for the Davis Cup games. It was an oppressive thundery day. The court was pathetically piebald, being bare on the baselines, and likewise on the greater part, of the forecourts. The attendance was wretched. Crawford took the first three games of his match with Shields with delightful placements , deadly driving and plucky volleying. Then Shields, with a burst of cannonball services, won the fourth -game, but Crawford took the set in eleven minutes. In the second set, Crawford returned Shields’ fiercest drives with unfailing accuracy, and completely dominated the American. In the final set, there was more sting in the Americans game, and he led 7/6. He fell —his fourth fall in the match—when running for a lob, and thus helped' Crawford to through his serviceafter the American was leading 40/0. The service pendulum, however, was not rested until two brilliant cross court strokes, on return of service, let Crawford break through the twenty-first, and he w(on the next game and match on his own service. McGrath and Wood began their match in an atmosphere of cathedral quietness, because each was testing the other’s strength. It was noticeable that McGrath’s service has become much stronger. He broke through Wood's service to establish a 6/5 lead. Then he held his own service excellently to win the set. McGrath’s aggression in the next set non-plussed Wood, and the Australian went to 5/1. Then he lapsed to. 5/4, but he took the set on his service without the loss of a point. In the third set Wood repeatedly aced the Australian, who seemed to have lost all of his earlier dash. McGrath, also, began badly in the fourth set, giving Wood a handy lead of 5/2. McGrath, however, suddenly recovered, and then drew level. McGrath’s weakness overhead frittered away a chance of winning the match when he led 7/6; but, after losing two match points in the sixteenth, he finally broke through Woods’ service, and obtained a surprising win ever the American.

VICTORY ASSURED?

LONDON, July 22. -

Although the United States were strong favourites prior to the commencement of the inter-zone Davis Cup final, Australia by her convincing wins in two singles yesterday, is now regarded as almost certain to challenge Britain next week. Turnbull, Quist, Hopman, and perhaps McGrath anticipate competing in the German and other championships on the Continent, meanwhile.

HIGH ESTIMATES (Rec. July 23, Noon) LONDON, July 22. Doust writing in the “Daily Mail” says: It will not be long before McGrath is the world’s champion. The “Sunday Chronicle” says: Crawford is still the best player in the world. ~ ~ Newspapers agree that McGrath has improved beyond jneasure. He defeated Wood by sheer confidence and exuberance.

TOURNAMENT RESULTS

LONDON, July 21

In the final of the women’s singles Scottish tennis championships at Peebles. Miss Joan Hartigan (Australia) defeated Miss Noel 5/7, 14/12, 7/5. z At Manchester in the final of the singles Lyttelton-Rogers defeated Malfroy 6/4, 4/6, 6/4. In the doubles Malfroy and Lyttel-ton-v'Rogers defeated Grossmith and Pyemont 4/6, 6/2, 6/2, 10/8. . In the army tennis championship final, Lieut. Tuckey beat Clyton Reed 6/4, 6/2, 6/3. This was Tuckey’s fourth successive win. At the Frinton tennis finals, Stedman beat H. F. Culley (American) 6/1 6/4. Miss Ridley beat Mrs. Molesworth 3/6, 9/7, 6/2. In the Anglo-Japanese match Austin beat Fujikura 6/4, 6/2, 6/1. Perry beat Yamagishi 9/7, 6/1, 6/8, 7/5.