TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 July 1936, Page 7

TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

AUSTRALIANS LOSE DOUBLES

BRITISH WOMEN DEFEATED

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.]

(Received July 1, noon.) LONDON, June 30.

Tho greatest surprise of the Wimbledon tournament was the victory of the French veterans, Borotra and Brugnon, over Crawford and Quist. The Australians were sounder in the first set, in which they broke through Brugnon’s service. They led 5/3 in the second set, but spectacular volleying by the Frenchmen took them to 6/5, and astonishing angled' volleys by Borotra gave the Frenchmen the seem-ingly-lost set. Crawford and Quist broke down many drives and volleys. The Australians directed their attack against Brugnon, who was prone to errors. Nothing, however, was safe from Borotra’s elastic reach. The Australians won the third set, mainly owing to Brugnon’s errors. The fourth set saw a great struggle. The Frenchmen led 4/2, the Australians recovered to 5/4, the Frenchmen led 4/2, the Australians recovered to 5/4, and the Frenchmen went ahead, 6/5, after riddling volleys from Borotra’s racquet. Borotra held match point on service at 6/5, but a paralysing smash was called out. The games were level 6/6, 7/7. Crawford then dropped the service, and more ferocious smashes by Borotra saw the match even, two sets all. A crowd of 15,000 cheered, the Frenchman’s fire and brilliance. The prospects of the title-holders looked black, when their opponents were 4/1 ahead in the final set. Borotra maintained a zestful attack, and smashed his way to a splendid victory. A glorious match lasted one and three-quarter hours. The Frenchmen received a tremendous ovation for unseating the world’s doubles champions. The Australians’ confidence is badly shaken by their defeats, but nothing should be allowed to detract from the virtue of the winners’ phenomenal performance. Borotra generously said, “We were lucky to strike them on an off day.” - The centre court looked like providing another surprise, when Lizana led Jacobs 4/2, 30/15, in the third set. Then the American’s experience told. Sperling's deadly accuracy and patience overcame Dorothy Round. Results were: —

Women’s Singles, quarter finals: Jedrzejowska defeated Stammers 6/2, 6/3. Mathieu defeated Horn 7/5, 6/3. Jacobs defeated Lizana 6/2, 1/6, 6/4. Sperling defeated Round 6/3, 8/6. Men’s Doubles, third round: Borotra and Brugnon defeated Crawford and Quist 3/6, 7/5, 2/6, 9/7, 6/2. Hughes and Tuckey defeated Grant and Stratford 7/5, 6/8, 6/2, 7/5. Hare and Wilde defeated Jones and Hayes 6/2, 6/2, 7/5. Mixed Doubles, second round: Prenn and Dearman defeated Stedman and Heeley 6/3, 4/6, 6/1. Third round: Malfroy and Sperling defeated W. Robertson (United States) and Whittenstrom (Sweden) 6/1,. 6/0. Fourth round: Wilde and Whitemarsh defeated Borotra and Noel 2/6, 6/1. 6/3.

SHOULDER-STRAP BROKEN

LONDON, June 30.

During the Sperling-Round match, the latter apparently broke a shoulderstrap beneath her dress, when Sperling was 4/2 ahead in the second’ set. She consulted the umpire and her opponent. Round said afterwards that the umpire obtained permission from the referee for her to leave the court. She mentioned the matter to Sperling, who asked how long Round would be absent, as she feared getting cold and losing touch, whereupon Round said she would continue. Sperling was perturbed about the incident, and said she did not know what to say. Round recovered 6/6, but lost the set When she double-faulted. * A Wimbledon official Said the rules say that play shall be continuous, but commonsense decrees that a short stoppage is allowed in such a case.

NO RETURN VISIT TO U.S.A.

(Received July 1, 1.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, July 1.

At the annual meeting of the Lawn Tennis Association Council a cablegram was read from Sproule, stating there was a possibility of Budge and Mako visiting Australia in December or January. The Council refused the request by the United States Association to allow the Australian Davis Cup team to return through America, as it was considered further play in America would be too great a strain. The Australians will leave for home as soon asthe Davis Cup has been decided.