CLASSIC TENNIS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19862, 27 July 1934, Page 9

CLASSIC TENNIS

PLAY IN INTER-ZONE FINAL

UNITED STATES ELIMINATES AUSTRALIA.

United Press Association—Bv Electric Telegraph -Copyright

LONDON, July 25.

America to-day won the remaining two singles in its inter-zone Davis Cup final against Australia, earning, by three, games to two, the right to meet Great Britain (holder) in the challenge round. Results were: S. B. Wood beat J. H. Crawford, 6-3, 9-7, 4-6, 4-6. 6-2. F. X. Shields beat V. McGrath, 6-4. 6-2, 6-4.

Crawford raced to a 4-0 lead against Wood and also lead 5-0. After Wood had won three games, mainly on Crawford’s errors, the Australian took the set with form which was full, of promise. Crawford again led 4-0 and then 5-1 in the fourth set. Then Wood touched his highest form and again won three games. But the Australian ran out the winner of the set. Both held their service to 2-2 in the final set. Then Crawford slumped and Wood, playing with greater daring and severity, forced Crawford into errors and won the set and match. McGrath Eclipsed. Shields started confidently against McGrath and by means of ferocious hitting won the first sec. but not before the Australian had made a hard fight. Shields won the second set convincingly. He bombarded the Australian’s weakness—his forehand. Shields had by now wholly mastered McGrath’s backhand strategy, and with McGrath’s service losing its stting it seemed a mere matter of time before America would enter the challenge round. Toward the end Shields out-volleyed McGrath, who was far below his best form.