DAVIS CUP MATCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23807, 13 May 1939, Page 13

DAVIS CUP MATCH

NEW ZEALAND v. ENGLAND RESULTS OF SINGLES MALFROY BEATS SHAYES LONDON, May 11. The Singles of the Davis Cup match between New Zealand and England resulted as follows: " C. E. Malfroy (New Zealand), defeated R. A. Shayes (England), 4—6, 6—2, 6—2, 5—7, 6—3. C. E. Hare (England) defeated A. D. Brown (New Zealand), 6—3, 6-A, 6—3. Keen volleying gave Shayes the first set and he was helped by a doubtful decision at a vital stage, after which Malfroy, finding his length with slow cut shots to the corners, forced Shayes into errors. Both were ragged, but Malfroy was the steadier and surer with his ground shots. Shayes fought back, driving and volleying well, and, after trailing 2—4, won the fourth set. Malfroy broke through at 3—3 in the fifth set and raced away to victory. It the match between Hare and Brown, Hare monopolised the first set. Brown was shaky, concentrating on his opponent's backhand, but he did not have sufficient pace. Hare was superior in service and driving exchanges, in which he outmanoeuvred the New Zealander. Brown evened in the second set to' 3-3 with shrewd short-angled shots, but failed to maintain the pressure. He came in to the net in the third set, but the more confident Hare, doing likewise, was more successful.

New Zealand's chances against England must be reckoned as moderate. Form shown during the past week certainly does not warrant optimism, for, in the British hard court championship at Bournemouth, C. E. Malfroy, No. 1 for New Zealand, was beaten easily in four sets* by W. Choy, a Chinese, who is not in the top flight of international players. Then A. D. Brown could secure only five games against the English veteran, J. Oliff. Olifl it is interesting to recall, was the player whom A. C. Stedman beat after an exciting match at Wimbledon six years ago, when Oliff was already being regarded as past his best. A month ago at Queen's, L. Shaffi, of this year's English Davis Cup team, put Oliff out in an early round, 6—3, 6—2. Shaffi, who attacks with the speed of F. J. Perry, has been a hope of British tennis for the past two or three years. In New Zealand's favour are the facts that Malfroy, while inconsistent, can rise to the most brilliant heights of tennis for an occasional match; that D. C. Coombe has improved considerably with overseas experience, though the old slowfootedness is still there; and that A. D. Brown has youth on his side H. W. Austin is not playing for England in this match. The noted critic, Wallis Myers, believes that, while his absence may affect the result, " England should win, possibly with Hare and Shaffi in the Singles and Hare-Wilde in the Doubles.

. . . A strong hand." The winners play France or China in the second round.