DAVIS CUP CONTEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21518, 15 June 1933, Page 11

DAVIS CUP CONTEST

AUSTRALIA'S SUCCESS SOUTH AFRICA ELIMINATED CRAWFORD'S FINE RECORD 5 - j By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, June 13 In the Davis Cup tie, Australia versus South Africa, the final singles played to-day oil the Queen's Club courts resulted as follows: Kirby (South Africa) defeated McGrath, 6—B, G—o, 6—4, <3—2; Crawford (Australia) defeated Robbins, (34 } —l } 6 —o. Australia thus won the rubber by three matches to two, and will meet Japan in the. semi-final of the European zone. v Kirby led McGrath 4—2 in the first set. Then McGrath rallied and won the set. In the second set the South African, playing with great dash, bustled McGrath, forcing him to make mistakes, and won in 15 minutes. Kirby's severe service, coupled with beautiful sweeping forehand drives, enabled him to win the next two sets and the match comfortably. This made the scores two all. Crawford quickly set Australia's fears at rest, however. Immediately he found touch against Robbins, and won the first set easily by using much underspin a.nd forcing his opponent into errors, llobbins won the first game in the second set, but Crawford won the next 12 games on end and claimed the match.

liobbins retrieved gallantly, but was unable to take the offensive. Crawford gave a really masterly display, winning the match in 50 minutes. Crawford has not been defeated in a singles game since he lost to Hughes at Bournemouth' the week after his arrival. He has now successively beaten Boussus, Satoh, Cochet, Kirby and Robbins without the loss of a set —a remarkable record considering the variety of opponents, courts and conditions h© has encountered.