LAWN TENNIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21983, 19 June 1933, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS

THE DAVIS CUP PERRY AND AUSTIN WIN (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, June 17. (Received June 18, at 6.30 p.m.) In the Davis Cup semi-final Perry (Britain) beat Menzel (Czechoslovakia) o—l, 6—4, 6—3. Austin (Britain) boat Hecht (Czechoslovakia) 6—l, 11—9, 6—4. PERRY'S BRILLIANT PLAY. LONDON, June 17. (Received June 18, at 6.55 p.m.) Perry played an inspired game. Even his opponents on several occasions applauded the brilliance of his shots. Rain interfered with the game between Austin and Hecht. The latter showed great retrieving powers throughout. AUSTRALIA v. JAPAN CRAWFORD AND M'GRATH WIN SINGLES. PARIS, June 17. (Received June 18, at 6.35 p.m.") In the Davis Cup match Crawford (Australia) beat Nunoi (Japan) 6—2, 4—6, 6—3, 4—6, 7—5. M'Grath defeated Satoh 9—7, I—6, 4—6, 6—4, 7—5. THE PLAY DESCRIBED.

LONDON, June 17.

(Received June 18, at 7.25 p.m.)

After many tense moments Crawford and M'Grath won two great victories' over Nunoi and Satoh, placing Australia in a position in which only a complete landslide in the three remaining events can lose the match. A great crowd, which was keenly interested, protested so-vigorously on one occasion against a linesman giving one of Crawford's drives in his favour against Nunoi' that whistling and booing continued till the unhappy official retired and another was found.

The quality' of the tennis was clever and often exciting. In Crawford's match it was a matter of mathematical monoeuvring. It rained heavily all morning. The wind, however, freshened, drying the courts, which, nevertheless, were slow and to Nunoi's advantage. Crawford began more quickly than usual and led s—l. He took the set as though practising. Nunoi then demonstrated vastly improved all round form compared with the Australian and served better. His backhand was stronger and his hitting cleaner and more accurate. Crawford was smashing ineffectively. He played two successive, shots close to the baseline, which the crowd considered 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—o, but was down 3—4 when Crawford increased his pace on both wings. Nunoi, however, volleyed at the net with deadly effect and evened the scores. He led 2 —o in the fifth set, scoring with mighty smashes. Crawford's reply was to take the next three games, keeping the Japanese running from side to side. Then the Australian had to fight ail he knew to prevent defeat and. won because he was cool in a crisis.

Satoh's experience and attacking powers were expected to defeat M'Grath, but the boy's tenacity pulled him through. The latter's service was often astray in the early sets, permitting the Japanese to smash repeated winners. Subsequently it improved and troubled Satoh.

Rain interrupted the second set, which the Japanese won by terrific smashes. In the succeeding sets bursts of inspired smashing seemed to leave M'Grath standing helplessly, but he pluckily kept his head and played coolly to save a wonderful match, in which he showed himself capable of giving measure for measure, To-morrow the Doubles, Crawford and Quist v. Satoh and Nunoi, will be played.

Having defeated South Africa the Australian Davis Cup players are now- engaged in a match against the Japanese team. This' match is being played at the State Roland Garros, where the challenge round will also be played, and by winning each of the Singles on the opening day the Australians are already in a strong position. The winning team will meet the victors of the BritainCzechoslovakia contest in the final of the European "zone. The United States has already played its way through the American zone. KENT TOURNAMENT LONDON, June 16. At Beckenham in the semi-final, Gregory and Miss Thomas defeated Andrews (New Zealand) and Miss Stammers, 7—6, 6 —3. THE WOMEN'S DOUBLES. LONDON, June 17. (Received June 18, at 6.55 p.m.) In the final of the women's doubles Misses Heeley and Round beat Mrs Moody and Miss Ryan 6 —4, 6—4.