DAVIS CUP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21859, 23 July 1934, Page 10

DAVIS CUP

EUROPEAN ZONE FINAL AUSTRALIANS SECURE LEAD AMERICANS LOSE SINGLES DESCRIPTION OF MATCHES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 22, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 21 The final tie in the European zone of the Davis Cup contest, Australia versus America, the winner of which will meet England in the final for the trophy, was begun to-dav at Wimbledon. Both the opening singles matches were won by Australia, the results being::—Crawford beat Shields, 6—l, 6 —2,< 12—10; McGrath beat Wood, 7_5, P—4, I—6, 9—7. ■Probably alphabetical priority ac-fcount-ed for the otherwise ominous fact that the American flag was flown above the v Australian on the Wimbledon Club's flagstaff. It was an 1 oppressive, thundery day, and the court was pathetically piebald and bare on the baselines and also on the greater part of the forecourts. The attendance was Iwretched. Hard Struggle in Final Set Crawford took the first three games against Shields with delightful placements, deadly driving and plucky volleying. Shields with a burst of cannonball services won the fourth'game, but Crawford took the set in 11 minutes. In the second sot Crawford returned Shields' fiercest drives with unfailing accuracy and completely dominated the American. In the final set there was more sting in tho' American's game and he led 7—6. He fell (his fourth fall in the match) when running for a lob, and this helped Crawford to break through after the American had been leading / 40—0. The service pendulum was restored until two brilliant cross-court strokes on the return of service let Crawford break through in the 21st game and he won the next game and the match on his own service. McGrath's Surprising Victory McGrath and Wood began in an atmosphere of cathedral quietness, because each was testing the other's strength. It was noticeable that McGrath's service has beetle much stronger. He broke through Wood's service to establish a 6—5 lead, then held his own service excellently for the set.

McGrath's aggression in tl\e fifth game •of the second set nonplussed Wood and he went to s—l,5 —1, then lapsed to ' 5 —4. However, McGrath took the Bet on his own service.

In the third set Wood repeatedly acepl the Australian, who seemed to have lost all his earlier dash. McGrath also began badly in the fourth set, giving Wood a handy 5—2 lead. Suddenly, however, the young Australian recovered and drew level. McGfath's weakness overhead jeopardised his chance of winning the match when the score was 7 —6, but after losing two'match points in the 16th game he finally broke through and obtained a aurprising win.