TENNIS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXX, Issue 20165, 20 July 1935, Page 17

TENNIS

ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN CONTEST CRAWFORD DEFEATS PERRY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright LONDON, July 18. A three-day test match on Davis Cup lines between British and Australian tennis teams was commenced at Eastbourne to-day. Results:— J. H. Crawford (Australia) beat F. J. Perry (Britain), 6-0, 6-4, 8-10, 6-2. H. W. Austin (Britain) beat V. B. McGrath (Australia), 7-5, 5-6, 7-5, 6-2. Crawford’s form was sound enough, but Perry’s was so unbelievably bad that the Australian had merely to allow the Wimbledon champion to continue the process of beating himself. Crawford won the first set in eight minutes, and he led 3-0 in the second set before Perry placed a stroke worthy of the Wimbledon champion. Perry then made a strong effort to recover his command, but he was too late to save the set. By a great uphill fight, Perry took the third set, but after that he was in no condition to stand against Crawford, who took the final set for the match. It was an astonishingly easy win. Austin and McGrath provided a close struggle, McGrath’s serving and volleying were superior, but Austin’s great consistency and excellent ground strokes gave him victory. Perry’s Defeat Explained. Mr Wallis Myers, writing in ‘“The Daily Telegraph,” says: “His form at Eastbourne does not mean that Perry will play the same at Wimbledon where previously he has produced centre court regenerations. The best Perry emerges on the right day. Nevertheless, Crawford staged a game which even the best Perry would have had difficulty in subduing. It was the Crawford of our dreams.”