DAVIS CUP TENNIS.

Wairarapa Age, 17 July 1934, Page 6

DAVIS CUP TENNIS.

EUROPEAN ZONE FINAL WON BY AUSTRALIA. McGrath wins deciding SINGLE. PRAGUE, July 15. Australia won the final of the European zone contest in Davis Cup tennis, beating Czechoslovakia by three matches to two, the issue being in doubt up to the final singles. On the first day in the singles Menzel defeated McGrath, 10-8, 6-2, 8-6, and Crawford defeated Hecht 6-4, 6- 6-2. To-day in the remaining singles Menzel defeated Crawford, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 8-6. McGrath defeated Hecht 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 7Australia now plays America in the inter-zone final In the doubles Crawford, despite a few lost services, played his best game of the tour, and was ably supported by Quist, who, however, has been seen to better advantage. Quist’s service and overhead work were loose. Considering the Czech’s poor idea of doubles play, they did remarkably well. Ninety per cent, of their shots were played from the baseline in attempts to pass the Australians, who lost no time in racing to the net. Crawford’s returns, angled acutely, were gems. Hecht was badly off, and many of Menzel’s brilliant services were wasted as he was insufficiently clever to intercept the return. Crawford’s defeat in the remaining singles was due to Menzel’s sterner game and the steadiness of his tactics, impairing his opponent’s customary fluency. Menzel never really lost grip of the game, clinching matters at critical points with excellent forcing shots. Menzel attacked vigorously from the beginning and played at the top of his form, except when he rested in the third set and allowed Crawford to win. The Australian seemed unsettled and served a number of double-faults.

McGrath rose gallantly to the emergency, reaching his full height in match temperament, playing like a veteran and disdaining, unlike his opponent, to be perturbed by the rowdiness of the crowd. The Australian took the first set to settle down, giving Hecht an easy victory, but from the beginning of the second set he seemed to have Hecht’s measure, and took the upper hand by steadiness and accuracy, particularly on the backhand, and won the second and third sets without being extended. Hecht fought hard in the last set and saved three match points before going down.