PERRY TO PLAY CRAWFORD

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1934, Page 9

PERRY TO PLAY CRAWFORD

AUSTRALIAN SINGLES TITLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP NEAR END. McGRATH PUTS UP A GREAT FIGHT. WINS TWO SETS AGAINST VISITOR. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 10.45 p.m. Sydney, Jan. 26. F. J. Perry (England) and J. B. Crawford (New South Wales), two highest ranked amateur tennis players in the world, will contest the final of the Australian singles championship, the semifinals of which they won to-day. Results are:—> Men’s singles: Semi-finals: Perry (England) defeated McGrath (N.S.W.), 2—6, 5— 6—4, 6—4, 6—l; Crawford (N.S.W.) defeated Quist (S. Aust.), 6—4, 6—2, 6 —2. Men’s doubles: Final: Perry and Hughes (England) defeated Quist and Turnbull (S. Aust.), 6—B, 6—3, 6—4, 3—6, 6—3. Women’s singles: Semi-finals: Miss Hartigan defeated Miss Bickerton, 6—l, 6—3; Mrs. Molesworth defeated Miss Wilson, 7-5, 6-4. Women’s doubles: Final: Mesdames Westacott and Molesworth defeated Misses Hartigan and Valkenburg, 6—B, 6 — 4, 6—4. McGrath started brilliantly against Perry, who was netting his ground shots. McGrath cleverly slowed the game and won the first two sets after a great baseline battle. Perry forced tne pace m if.e last three sets. He gained better length with his drives and came to the net successfully. The Englishman also served brilliantly in the crisis. Whenever Perry attacked he proved superior McGrath was exhausted at the finish of the match.

Crawford was definitely superior to Quist in all departments, with the possible exception of overhead work. Quist attempted to stage a net ' attack, but Crawford’s drives were finding the openings. The men’s doubles final was evenlycontested throughout. The Australians at first were brilliant, scarcely missing a smash dr a volley, but Perry’s fierce services and slashing drives, together with Hughes’ accurate return of service and clever net interceptions, proved too good for the Australians.

Miss Bickerton was unable to cope with Miss' Hartigan’s stinging drives to the comers, while Mrs. allround play carried her through against the New South Wales country champion.Mesdames Westacott and Molesworth paired excellently to defeat Misses Hartigan and Valkenburg in. the women’s doubles final.