LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22465, 8 July 1936, Page 20

LAWN TENNIS

WIMBLEDON TITLES GREAT BRITAIN'S TRIUMPH FOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS WON nv SIDKUNE In rapturing four of the five titles at tlio Wimbledon championship tournament, Great Britain lias every reason for self congratulation. In fact, it is doubtful if her ascendancy in the tennis world lias ever been so firmly established. Even the United States iij the days of Tilden and Johnston could claim 110 greater superiority. The seeded players in the men's singles were F. J. Perry, G. Von Cramin, A. K. Quist, W. L. Allison, J. D. Budge, J. H. Crawford, H. W. Austin and B. Grant, and tlio judgment of tlio seeding committee \va* vindicated to the extent that all these players reached the quarter-finals. The semi-finals brought through Perry, Von Cramm, Austin and Budge, and of these Perry and Von Cramm entered the final, winning against Budge and Crawford with almost as much easo as they had experienced in disposing of weaker players in the earlier rounds. Perry and Von Cramm dominated the singles event, which was free of the sensational victories usually associated with the Wimbledon tournament. The final was a disappointing affair in view of the injury suffered by the German, who was unable to reveal his best form. However, this must no*, ho allowed to detract from the merit of Perry's win, which not only establishes a record, but also strengthens his claims to be ranked as the first player in the world. The early rounds were notable for the straight-set victory of Grant over McGrath, and the easy defeat of Quist by Budge. Neither of these results can be regarded as surprises, however, but the Australians were expected to make a better showing. Stedman and Malfroy both did quite well, as did Hare, a young English Davis Cup candidate, who was defeated by Crawford after a well-played match. Apart from the finalists, the most impressive player was 1). Budge. The men's doubles event provided a number of surprises, and it was distinctly unusual to see two English pairs fighting out the final. An injury to Mako forced the withdrawal of the American Davis Cup pair, and Crawford and Quist, the title-holders, fell before the veteran combination of Borotrn and Brugnon. Van Ryn and Allison appeared to be fortunate in winning from Von Cramm and Henkel, the Germans, with a Davis Cup schedulo to keep, defaulting at a time when they had three match points in band. The Americans then lost to Hughes and Tuckey, and Hare and Wilde also reached the final with a good win over Brugnon and Borotra. The superior combination of Hughes and Tuckey was the deciding factor in the final. The ladies' singles final was not so dramatic as that of last year, when Mrs. Helen Wills-Moody snatched a sensational victory after being in an almost hopeless position. Miss Helen Jacobs, who was runner-up last year, deserved her victory on this occasion. The success of Miss F. James and Miss K. Stammers in the doubles for the second year in succession is a tribute to their fine combination. Perry and Miss Bound completed Great Britain's triumph by defeating Budge and Mrs. Fabyan in the combined doubles.