LAWN TENNIS TEST

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 11, 23 December 1933, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS TEST

Australia Invincible McGRATH BEATS PERRY (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) BRISBANE, Dec. 22. The lawn tennis test match between Britain and Australia was continued to-day. Following are the results: — Singles. Wilde beat Moon, 7—5, 6—4. McGrath beat Perry, 3 —6, 6 —2, 6-3. Hopman beat Lee, 6—2, 3 —6, b —6. Doubles. McGrath and Quist beat Hughes and Wilde, I—6, 2—6, 6—2, 6—3, 6—4. Australia is now invincible with seven rubbers to one and four to play. Although Moon started with great dash, and appeared to have Wilde’s measure, he later lapsed into errors, frequently netting the easiest shots. Wilde made many remarkable recoveries, and altogether was more consistent, deliberately slowing the game w force outs by Moon. It was McGrath's wonderful tenacity that enabled him to prevail over the British champion, who in the first set gave the impression that he would win in straight sets. McGrath was more than a match on tho backhand, but Perry had greater strength with his forehand and service. McGrath hit many winners with a sharply-angled forehand.

In a deciding set Perry appeared to be suffering from the great heat, and offered little opposition. There was an absence of the sustained rallies which marked the earlier sets. Hoprnan and Lee provided stirring tennis. The Australian went off with great dash in the first set, but Leo got more pace into his shots in the second set, and Hopman made many errors and was often passed. There was a great fight for the final set, in which Hopman slowed up play and made winners at the net.

From mediocre club class in tho opening sets, the tennis in the doubles rose to great heights in the later stages. Both McGrath and Quist early failed on tho easiest shots, but they then took charge and volleyed and smashed effectively. Quist was particularly severe overhead. They had redoubtable opponents, especially Hughes, whose recoveries were uncanny, and he showed himself a truly great doubles player. '

Arrivals in New Zealand during November included 609 tourists, the greatest number since February last, reports the Government Statistician The tourist traffic is highly seasonal, December, January, and February being normally the peak months of the year in respect of tourist arrivals. The. number of tourists arriving last month was considerably in excess of the November figures for 1931 and 1932. With the •improvement now evident in economic conditions overseas as well as in New Zealand, a brighter tourist season than has been experienced in the last two years appears to be in prospect, with a consequent increase in returns from this “invisible export.”