DAVIS CUP

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1934, Page 5

DAVIS CUP

McGR ATH DEFEATS BOUSSUS

CRAWFORD LOSES TO MERLIN

(United Press Association- -By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

PARIS, June. 10

In the Davis Cup contests, as anticipated, to-day’s matches boi-h produced stern fights, each country winning a rubber, although not those they had expected. " ' ...

McGrath (Australia) defeated Boussus (France) 6-3, 0-6, 6-8, 6-2, 6-2. Merlin (France) defeated Crawford 4-5„ 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. McGrath had perfect control over his shots throughout forcing the game from the beginning, and lie achieved a splendid victory through playing Boussus to a standstill. McGrath led 5-1 in the third set,' and he had set point, but Boussus saved brilliantly, and then went on to win the set. In the fourth and fifth-seirs, however, Boqssus became tired. He stayed back at the baseline, where he was fighting'a losing battle; so he-then advanced to the net, hut lie- jvas there repeatedly passed -by McGrath’s excellent ! backhanders. . v • ‘ ' •

McGraith led by ■5 to nil in the final set, and he had the match points in tlio sixth arid 'seventh,- and twice in the eighth- game before he finally succeeded in winning; The crowd was veryi boisterous • throughout -this' match, and the game had‘to be held up white the umpire and Boussus appealed for fair play. ' . ■ * Crawford . began . so - brilliantly against Merlin that a straight set victory was predicted,' but, after the firs*set, ’Merlin 3 ' ftfip'f’bV'ecT the' pace" antf length of : his drives. 'The .crowd became out of-control, following on. Merlin’s consistent improvement. It' was unbelievable that Merlin could continue with such brilliance, bu)b lie kept up the pace, winning the match amidst intense excitement; Borotra and other leading players are unanimous that Merlin never played better, while Crawford was. below his best form. The Australian was also worried at the .one-sided attitude of the spetators.

AUSTRALIA WINS DOUBLES

PARIS, June 17. . In the doubles, Craiwford and Quist defeated Borotra and Brugnan 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3.

U.S.A WIN WICHTMAN CUP

LONDON, June 16. America won the Wigliman. Cup for the eighth time, defeating the British ladies’ team at Wimbledon. "