N.Z. Beaten in Davis Cup Contest

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 112, 15 May 1939, Page 7

N.Z. Beaten in Davis Cup Contest

Britain Escapes Defeat By Narrow Margin MALFROY TOP OF FORM United Tress Association.—By Elects Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Sunday, 9.20 p.m. LONDON, May 14. Britain, by defeating New Zealand 3 —2 in the Davis Cup, qualified to meet the winners of the match between China and France at Wimbledon a fortnight hence. Inconsistency against Brown (N.Z.) almost cost Shayes the match and Britain the tie. He made countless errors, but got going against the erratic Brown later. Shayes (Britain) beat Brown (N.Z.), 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. Hare (Britain) boat Malfroy, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. Brown played with his hand in plaster as the result of an injury on Thursday. Shayes opened poorly but struck form in the third game of tho first set, after which Brown’s stolid game was no match for his opponent’s. Shayes crisp volleys and flashing drives were marred by spasms of carelessness. In the vital match between Hare and Malfroy the Englishman with cunning cuts and spins led 4-3, but mistakes enabled Malfroy to draw level 4-4. Malfroy was brilliant with short-angled balls and well-timed lobs, tho score running to 5 all. Hare recovered and won tho set. Hare was inaccurate oarly in the second set and Malfroy, playing at the top of his form, evened 4-4. Hare’s long reach was advantageous and he won the sot. In the third set Malfroy was within a point of making the score 5-5, but a grand lob sent him scuttling back. Hare tapped away the return for tho match. At Budapest in the second round Mitic (Yugoslavia) beat Gabory (Hungary), 6—3, 9—7, 2—6, 6—l, 6—l. Tho winners of the tie meet Italy w.Ho eliminated Monaco. At Naples, Vido and Cucell (Italy) boat Landau and Noghes (Monaco), 6—3, 6—l, 6—o. NEW ZEALAND WINS DOUBLES LONDON, May 12. In the Davis Cup dmibles, D. C. Coombe and C. E. Malfroy (New Zealand defeated C. E. Have and F. H. D. Wilde (England), 6-3, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. Wilde made some loose shots in the first set. The New Zealanders captured Hare’s service in the fifth game, Coombe playing some good lobs. The Englishmen drew level, taking Malfroy’s service at 3/3, but driving errors and loose returns told against the Englishmen. Better combination and brilliant volleying turned the tables in the second «et, Malfroy falling into errors, while Ccombe was erratic.

At the opening of the third set the Englishmen, again volleying brilliantly, led 2-0. The New Zealanders evened the scores at 3/3 and went on to win, Hare placing his returns badly. After a slight delay owing to rain, the Englishmen led 2/0 in the fourth set, but errors enabled the New Zealanders to draw level at 2/2, after which they won comfortably. The New Zealanders’ lobbing was consistently brilliant, preventing the Englishmen from maintaining their pressure. The New Zealanders advanced to the net more quickly and volleyed more decisively than their opponents.

The Daily Telegraph’s critic says that the British pair were inferior in tactics and confidence.

At Budapest, in the match Aboth (Hungary) v. Punccc (Yugoslavia) the score was 6 —3, o—6,0 —6, 2—6. The match was adjourned.