Crawford Beaten By Merlin

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7493, 18 June 1934, Page 7

Crawford Beaten By Merlin

Davis Cup Play Between France and Australia McGRATH WINS FROM BOUSSUS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received Sunday, 7 p.m. PARIS, June -10. In to-day’s play in the Davis Cup match between Australia and Prance, McGrath lcfcated Boussus, G—3, o—o,0 —0, (j—o—2, 6—2; and Merlin defeated Crawford, 4 —6, 6 —4, o—l,0 —1, o—2.0 —2. As anticipated, both matches produced stern fights, each country ■winning a rubber, although not those expected. McGrath had perfect control over his shots throughout, slowing the game from the beginning, and achieved a splendid victory through playing Boussus to a standstill. McGrath led 5 lin the third set and had set point, but Boussus saved brilliantly and went on to win the set. In the fourth and fifth sets Boussus tired and stayed at the baseline, where he was fighting a losing battle; so he advanced to the net, but was repeatedly passed by McGrath’s excellent backhanders. McGrath led s—o5 —0 in the final set and had match points in the sixth and seventh games and twice in the eighth before finally winning. The crowd was very boisterous throughout the match; and the game was held up while- the umpire and Boussus appealed for fair play. Crawford began so brilliantly against Merlin that a straight-set victory was predicted, but after the first set, Merlin improved his pace and length or drives. The crowd got out of control following Merlin’s consistent improvement. It was unbelievable that Merlin could continue with ::uch brilliance, but he kept -up the pace, winning the match amidst intense excitement. 1 Borotra and other leading players nro-unanimous that Merlin never played better, while Crawford was below his best form. The Australian was also worried at the onc-su'e'l attitude of the spectators. Italy and Czechoslovakia LATTER LEADING BY TWO RUBBERS TO ONE Received Sunday, 7 p.m. MILAN, June 37. In the Davis Cup match between Italy and Czechoslovakia, Menzel and Marsalek (Czechoslovakia) defeated Quintaville and Rado, G —S, G —3, 6 —o, 6 , Stefani (Italy) defeated Hccht, G —3, 7 I—6, 6 —l, and Menzel defeated Rado, 6—l, G—2, 10—S. Beckenham Tournament Finals MEN’S SINGLES WON BY AUSTIN Received Sunday, 7 p.m. LONDON, June IG. In the men’s singles final at the Beckenham tournament Austin defeated Yamagishi, 6 —3, 6 —o. In the women’s singles final Mrs. King defeated Miss 1-lartigan, G —2, G—3. V Wightman Cup Again Won By America ENGLISH LADIES OUTCLASSED Received Sunday, 7 p.m. LONDON, June IG. America beat England in the Wightman Cup match, results of which were as follow: Singles Miss Sarah Palfrey (U.S.A.) defeated Miss Dorothy Round, o—3, 3—G, 5 G. Miss Helen Jacobs (U.S.A.) defeated Miss M. C. Scriven, G—l, 6—l. Miss Jacobs defeated Miss Round, ,6 —4, b—4. Miss Betty Nut-hail (England) defeated Miss Babcock, 3 —7>, .6: —3, G —3. Miss Palfrey defeated Miss Scriven, 4—G, (5—2, B—6. Doubles Misses Dearman and N. M. Lyle '(England) defeated Misses Carolyn Babcock and Cruiekshank, 7—3. 7 —3. Misses Jacobs and Palfrey defeated Mrs Godfree and Miss Nuthall, 5 —7, 6 6—2. America has won the Wightman Cup for the eighth time. Miss Jacobs had Miss Round run to a standstill. The play in this match was the finest seen in a women’s match lit Wimbledon for years. Miss Round was leading G—3 in the final set of her match against Miss Palfrey in the opening day’s play when the umpire interrupted play, ordering new balls with which Miss 'Round double-faulted and then lost three games. Miss Jacobs’s chopped drives troubled Miss Scriven.