WIMBLEDON TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21845, 6 July 1934, Page 11

WIMBLEDON TENNIS

MEN'S SEMI-FINALS CRAWFORD AND PERRY WIN WILL MEET IN TITLE MATCH SPECULATION ON RESULT By Telopraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 5. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 5 The semi-finals' of the men's singles in the tennis championships at Wimbledon yesterday had the significance of rehearsals for the coming Davis Cup singles. The two British Empire champions, J. B. Crawford (Australia) and F. J. Perry (England), won their matches and will meet in the final. Details of the results of the semifinals are:—Crawford defeated F. X. Shields (United States), 2 —6, 4 —6, 6 —4, o—3,0 —3, 6 —4, and Perry defeated Sidney Wood (United States), o—3,0 —3, 3—6, 7—5, 5—7, 6—3.

Crawford, with a wonderful display of consistent tennis, made a splendid fight against Shields, showing great determination in winning the match after losing the first two sets, and being behind 3 —4 in the third, with Shields' service to follow. Crawford won this game to love. Loser Never Played Better The match throughout 'was a case of Shields' service versus Crawford's ground . shots. Only Crawford's steadiness could have withstood Shields' gallant efforts to clinch the match in the third and fourth sets. Crawford led 4—2 in the final set. Shields levelled to 4—4, but the Australian then captured the American's service to love - and won his own also for the match. The Americans confess that Shields never played better, and Crawford admitted his amazement at his opponent's improved form. An All-Empire Final Perry and Wood began nervously, but after the first set both played sparkling tennis. Wood played terrific services in many games, but in others they were only mediocre. Perry waited for the slower ones, before launching his attack. Perry was content to await opportunities for passing shots. His forehand drive functioned well, and his stamina saved many points, and ho outlasted the American.

The title match between Crawford and Perry will be the first all-Em-pire final at Wimbledon for a quarter of a century. Hopman says: " Until to-day I strongly favoured Perry for the championship, but Crawford now has returned to his best form. This, together with the fact that Crawford has discovered the secret of attacking Perry instead of awaiting Perry's attack, makes me feel that Crawford may be victorious." Mrs. Wills-Moody, writing in the Daily Mail, says: "I believe Perry has the best chance of winning the final." Doust says: " It is fairly certain that at long last an Englishman will win the final." Results of Other Games In the mixed doubles, third round, Collins and Lady Rowallan defeated Cramm and Fr. Sperling, 9 —7, 9 -7. In the fourth round Lee and Miss James defeated Collins and Lady Rowallan, 6—2, 6—4; Miki and Miss Hound defeated McGrath and Miss Hartigan (Australia), 7—5, 7—5; Lott and Miss Palfrey (United States) defeated Wilde and Mrs. King, 6 —4, 6—3; Kingsley and Mrs. Godfree defeated R. Menzel and Miss Thomas, 7—5, 6—4. In the men's doubles, third round, Hopman and Prenn defeated Burwell and Jones, 11 —9, 9 —7, 6 —2.