DAVIS CUP

Southland Times, Issue 22345, 9 June 1934, Page 5

DAVIS CUP

NEW ZEALAND TEAM MATCH AGAINST CZECHOSLOVAKIA TWO SINGLES LOST (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, June 7. A Davis Cup match between New Zealand and Czechoslovakia was commenced at Prague to-day, New Zealand losin.-; both the singles played. Results: Menzel (Czechoslovakia) defeated E.D. Andrews (New Zealand) 6-1, 6-3, 6-3. Hecht (Czechoslovakia)- defeated C. E. Malfroy (New Zealand) 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1. Malfroy, playing against Hecht, who is one of the most improved Europeans, stonewalled in the first set, but his length was poor. He was inclined to go to the net on short slow balls, resulting in Hecht repeatedly passing him. Hecht also outlobbed the New Zealander, whose smashing was not severe and his backhand chop. stroke was unreliable, but he scored with excellent forehand drives. Malfroy improved in the second set and won many net duels. He was down 0-2 in the third set, but returning to a net attack he led 4-2. Hecht, displaying mastery in every stroke, drew level, but Malfroy won the next two games. In the fourth set Hecht kept his opponent running by cleverly alternating the length of his placements. Menzel was at the top of his form against Andrews and' won with aces, smashes and net attacks, everything coming off for Menzel, while Andrews was unlucky, being unable to find his real game. He double-faulted at vital moments, but fought pluckily, many of the games going to deuce. AUSTRALIA v. JAPAN CRAWFORD AND McGRATH WIN. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, June 7. The Davis Cup singles between Australia and Japan were played at Eastbourne in glorious weather. Results: J. B. Crawford (Australia) defeated Fujikura (Japan) 6-3, 6-3, 11-9. V. McGrath (Australia) defeated Yamagishi (Japan) 2-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4. Yamagishi surprised McGrath in the first set with the speed of his shots. The Japanese led 2-0 and 4-3 in the second set, but McGrath, volleying brilliantly after sending high-bouncing balls to Yamagishi’s forehand, won the set. From then on McGrath was more reliable and forced Yamagishi into errors, notably on the forehand which had lost its sting. McGrath’s drives were of excellent length and towards the end he volleyed superbly. Crawford was unusually lively and accurate against Fujikura. The Australian sent dazzling drives down the sidelines and forced his opponent into errors. The match was largely a baseline duel in which Crawford was the steadier and more brilliant. Fujikura led 6-5 in the third set through Crawford relaxing prematurely. The Australian then put more fire into his shots and angled his drives acutely to take the set and the match. JAPANESE FEARS CONFIRMED. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.0 p.m.) Tokio, June 8. The Japanese tennis authorities regard the Australians’ victories as confirmation of their fears as a result of Nunoi’s defection and Satoh’s tragic death. MATCH AT ROME ITALY PLAYING SWITZERLAND. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Rome, June 7. In the Davis Cup match between Italy and Switzerland, Stefani (Italy) defeated Ellmer (Switzerland) 6—3, 6—3, 6—3 and Rado (Italy) defeated Fischer (Switzerland) 6—l, 6 —o, 11—9.