DAVIS CUP TENNIS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 170, 19 June 1934, Page 7

DAVIS CUP TENNIS

AUSTRALIA BEATS FRANCE. SUCCESS TO CRAWFORD. MERLIN DEFEATS McGRATH. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received June 19, 9.45 a.m. PARIS, June 18. Australia to-day, by one victory in the “second singles” with France, qualified to meet Czechoslovakia in the final of the Euroi pean zone of the Davis Cup contest, winning the tie by 3 matches to two. Crawford (Australia) beat Boussus (France), 2—6, 6 —2, 4 —6, 6—o: Merlin (France) beat McGratli (Australia), 4 —6, 6 —l, 6—3, 6—o.

Afraid that McGrath might become demoralised by the actions of the French crowd, Crawford realised he must defeat Boussus, which he accomplished only after a thrilling five-set match lasting two hours. After each had won a set, a wrong decision in Crawford’s favour caused a postponement for several minutes in the third set till the pandemonium The crowd, becoming uncontrollable, continued their demonstrations a.t every opportunity. Crawford appeared unsettled and Boussus took the set, giving him a 2—l lead. In the fourth set Boussus led 3 —2 and 40—0, but Crawford drew level amid a prolonged uproar following two wrong decisions. From then, onwards Crawford gradually took control of the match. Boussus showed signs of tiring early in the final set and Crawford went all out to win the set and the match, Australia thus qualifying to meet Czechoslovakia in the-final of the European zone at Prague. With the McGrath-Merlm match not affecting the result, McGrath was relieved of the responsibility. He played well in the first set, but thereafter never attempted to retrieve balls .for which he had to run.