TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 July 1936, Page 9

TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

PERRY & CRAMM IN FINAL SUPERIORITY DISPLAYED (BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Reed. July 2, 1 p.m.) LONDON, July 1. In the first of the men’s singles semi-final, Austin went into a lead of 5/3, aided by unusual blunders by the German, who then tightened up his Control, increased his speed, and confidently took the set. Cramm won the second with even more in hand, for desjpite a patch ot careless errors, he seemed aole to reapply the pressure, whenever it .was required. His vicious service, severe deep driving, and agile volleying appeared to take all the heart out of Austin, whose stylish mildness was not enough. Cramm in the third set lost heavily all control of his forehand, Austin winning the set in 16 minutes, but the real Cramm.was seen again in the fourth set. He ’led 3/1, and when Austin challenged, the German replied with drives hit stingingly to the corners, coming in for winning volleys.

The Perry-Budge contest began at high speed. Perry thrived on Budge's driving. The American held baseline exchanges, but whenever Perry reacaeu the net, his volleys and smashes were samples of the champion’s best. Perry, when leading 5/3, became over-confident, and overdriving lost him the set. Perrj’ rushed to 4/1 in the second set. Budge’s heavy guns then found the range to an inch, and he drew level at 4/4. Perry, serving beautifully, held the critical ninth game, and broke Budge’s service for the set, which was fought at a cracking pace. In the third set, both maintained speed, accuracy, and length with remarkable consistence. There was little between them, until Perry broke Budge’s service for 5/3, and won the set on . his own service. Perry’s all-round skill and phenomenal recoveries enabled him to resist the American’s ' ■, fierce driving attack. Perry was ahead 2/0 in the fourth set. Then Budge took four games in a row with a stream of blistering drives. Perry’s two lucky net shots gave him the seventh game, and he levelled with his service. He then took Budge’s service, and won the match with consuming skill. It was a masterly performance against a player whose every match seems to bring him nearer to the master class. Holding three match points in the final set, left unplayed from overnight, the Germans retired in the doubles, presumably because Cramm was saving himse.i for the singles, and did not wish to retire after depriving Anison and Vanryn of their chance. Perry and Cramm meet in the final on' Friday. Any other final would be unjust for they are clearly the best players at the tournament. Kleinschroth, the German nonplaving captain, explains that he advised Gramm’s retirement from the doubles, not only because of the singles final on Friday, but because he,could.not contest the doubles final owing to the Germans leaving foi Zagreb on Saturday, in readiness for the European zone final against Jugoslavia. The results were: — Men’s Singles, semi-finals: Perry defeated Budge 5/7, 6/4, 6/3, 6/4. Cramm . defeated Austin 8/6, 6/2, 2/6. 6/3. Men’s Doubles, third round: Allison ' and Vanrvn defeated Cramm and Henkel 4/6, 10/8. 6/4, 3/6, 4/5,. and 0/40. The Germans retired. •'>’ Quartef-final: Hughes and Tuckey defeated Malfroy and Stedman 6/1. 6/1. 3/6. 6/0. Mixed doubles, fourth round: Maifroy and Sperling defeated Brugnon and Jedrzejowska 6/3, 6/3.

SPERLING—ROUND INCIDENT

LONDON, July 1.

Mrs. Sperling told the “Daily Mail”: I did not refuse Miss Round permission to leave the court. I did say that I would get cold; but if Miss Round had said her trouble was serious, of course I should have waited. I was crying as I came off the court. I would rather have lost than had this happen. Miss Round told me to forget the whole thing—that I deserved to win.” AUSTRALIAN INVITATIONS LONDON, July 1. With reference to the invitations to 1 Budge, Mako, and two other Ameri-. cans to visit Australia, Budge informed the Associated Press that it was improbable he would accept. Mako indicated that he was unlikely to make the trip.,