DAVIS CUP CONTEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21521, 19 June 1933, Page 9

DAVIS CUP CONTEST

PLAY IN SEMI-FINALS JAPANESE STARS BEATEN AUSTRALIANS WIN SINGLES BRITAIN LEADING CZECHS By Telegraph—Pres3 Association—Copyright (Received Juno 18, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. June 17 Til the semi-finals of the Davis Cup contest in Paris Australia won the first two single's in the tie with Japan. Crawford (Australia) beat Nunoi, 6 —2, 4 —6, 6 —3, 4—6, 7 —5, and McGrath (Australia) beat Satoh, 9—7, I—6, 4—6, 6—4, 7—5. Crawford and McGrath won two great victories over Nunoi and Satoh after many tense moments, thus placing Australia i?i a position where only a complete landslide in the three remaining events can lose them the match. A great crowd of spectators showed keen interest in the games. They protested so vigorously on one occasion against a linesman for giving one of Crawford's drives in his favour against Nunoi that the whistling and "boohing" continued till the unhappy official retired and another was found. The quality of the tennis was clever and often exciting. Crawford's Remarkable Game Crawford's match with Nunoi was a matter of mathematical monoeuvring. It had rained heavily all the morning. Then the wind freshened and dried the court, which, nevertheless, was slow, to Nunoi's advantage. Crawford began more quickly than usual. He led s—l and took the first set as though he were practising. Nunoi then demonstrated that he has vastly improved all round, compared with when he was in Australia. He served better, his back-hand was stronger and his hitting cleaner and more accurate. The Australian was smashing ineffectively but was establishing a commanding grip in the second set. He played two successive shots close to the base-line which, the crowd considered, were outside, hence the barracking incident. Crawford regained his confidence in the third set but in the fourth Nunoi, with graceful shots in all directions led 3 —0.. However, he went down to 3—4 when ho increased the pace on both wings. The Japanese led 2—o in the fifth set, scoring with mighty smashes. Crawford's reply was to take the next three. He kept Nunoi running to the side. Then the Australian had to fight all ho knew to prevent defeat. He won because be was cool in the crisis. McGrath's Tenacity Tells Satoh's experienced attacking powers were expected to defeat McGrath, but the boy's tenacity pulled him through. McGrath's service often was astray in the early sets, permitting the Japanese to smash repeated winners. Subsequently the Australian improved and troubled Satoh. Pain interrupted in the second set which the Japanese won by terrific smashes. In the succeeding sets his bursts of inspired smashing seemed to leave McGrath standing helplessly, but he pluckily kept his head and played coolly. He saved a wonderful match in which he showed he is capable of giving measure for measure.

In tlic doubles to-morrow Crawford and Quist will play Satoh and Nunoi. Perry Plays Inspired Tennis

In the Britain v. Czecho-Slovakia tie in England Perry (Britain) heat Men--70l 6—l, 6—4, 6—3, and Austin (Britain) beat Hecht, 6 —l, 11 9, G—l.

Perry played inspired tennis. Even his opponents on several occasions applauded the brilliance of his shots. Bain interfered with the match between Austin and Hecht. The latter showed great retrieving powers throughout.