DAVIS CUP.

Wairarapa Age, 30 July 1936, Page 5

DAVIS CUP.

RETAINED BY GREAT BRITAIN. THREE MATCHES OUT OF FIVE WON. QUIST DEFEATS AUSTIN. LONDON, July 28. Warding off Australia’s challenge by three matches to two, Great Britain retained possession of the Davis Cup. The results of the final singles were:— A. K, Quist (Australia) beat H. W. Austin (Great Britain), 6/4, 3/6, 7/5, 6/3. F. J. Perry (Great Britain) beat J. H. Crawford (Australia), 6/2, 6/3, 6/3. Rain delayed the start and caused three interruptions in the first match. Austin was quickly into his stride. He made fine placements in the first set,’ and led 4-2, but Quist steadied up and passed the Englishman with hard drives. Serving very well he levelled the scores at 4-4. Continuing to outplay his opponent Quist captured the set with a love game on his service. Each captured the other’s service in the second set up to 2-all, but Quist foot-faulted several times and lost touch with his drives, Austin taking the set comfortably. The slippery court and bad light prevented both from doing their best, and Austin fell a number of times.

(Continued on page 6.) NEXT CHAMPION. QUIST’S IMPROVEMENT AMAZES CRITICS. (Received Wednesday, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 29. Newspapers applaud Australia’s gallant losing battle in the Davis Cup contest. The 44 News-Chronicle” says even those rejoicing over the British victory will sympathise with Australia’s disappointment. 4 4 The Times” points out that Perry, with the almost murderous defeat of Crawford, played four challenge rounds against the best contemporaries, except von Cramm, not losing a match. Such a man must ii< deed be a world champion. Quist’s display against Austin confounded critics. Nusselein told the 44 Sun-Herald” that in his opinion, Quist would be the next champion at Wimbledon. Maskell, the English coach, said Quist’s improvement in the twelve months was amazing. He expressed the opinion that only Budge, who had a few years advantage. could deprive Quist of the next Wimbledon honour.

Quist regained his touch and often cleverly passed Austin with drives and volleys. The Australian nevertheless missed smashes, enabling Austin to lead 5-3 in the third set. Quist then won two love games and equalised at 5-5. He took Austin’s service after a deuce and another love game gave him the set. Long driving rallies featured in the fourth set, Austin again slipping and falling frequently. Quist went to a 4-1 lead and then, feeling that his position was unassailable, played coolly, allowing Austin to make mistakes. The huge crowd cheered Quist’s fine win.

Crawford, with a chance of the first Australian victory in the challenge round since 1919, began service in poor light, with the court tricky owing to damp patches. Perry immediately attacked and forced Crawford into errors. The Australian was serving in his best form, but his ground shots frequently found the net. Perry worried Crawford by coming to the net, and the Englishman easily took the first set mainly as the result of Crawford’s mistakes. In the second set Perry exploited his unequalled speed about the court, his volleying, and his service. He generally overshadowed the Australian, who was gallantly fighting all the time. Perry’s speed nonplussed the Australian and he broke through Crawford’s service in the ninth game for the set. Many of the games in this set and also in the third set went to deuce, but Crawford was unable to make a real impression on the Englishman’s speed and vigour. Perry raced to 5-0 in the third set. Crawford gamely won three games in a row and saved two match points before he outed a service, giving Perry the match. Princess Helene Victoria presented the Davis Cup to Mr. Roper Barret, non-playing captain of the British team. The Australians and the donor of the Cup, Mr. Dwight Davis, were also present at the centre court where the presentation was made. The manager of the Australian team, •Mr. C. Bproule, told the Australian Associated Press Agency: “We are just a little disappointed at not taking the Cup, but we met a better team and also had hard luck with the weather. I am very pleased with the boys, who' put up a magnificent fight.”