TO MEET IN FINAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 158, 6 July 1934, Page 5

TO MEET IN FINAL

CRAWFORD AND PERRY VICTORS AT WIMBLEDON SINGLES SEMI-FINALS (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Received July 5, 7.5 p.m. LONDON, July 4. In the semi-finals of the All England championship tennis singles, Crawford with a wonderful display of consistent tennis, made a splendid fight against Shields, showing great determination in winning the matvh, after losing the first two sets and being behind 3 —4 in the third, with Shields’ service to follow. Crawford won this game to love, although the match throughout was a case of Shields’ service versus Crawford’s ground shots. The American frequently aced the Australian, and only the latter’s steadiness could have withstood Shields’ gallant efforts to clinch the match in the third and fourth sets. Americans ’confess that Shields never played better, and Crawford admitted amazement at his improved form. Perry and Wood began nervously, but after the first, set both played sparkling tennis. Wood unleashed terrific services in many games, but in others was only mediocre Perry waited for the slower ones before launching his attack. Perrv was contented to await the opportunity for passing shots. His forehand functioned well, while his stamina saved him many points, and outlasted that of the American. Results were:— Men’s Singles Semi-finals. Crawford (Australia) defeated Shields (U.S.A.), 2—6, 4—6, 6—4, 6—3, 6—4. Perry (England) defeated Wood (U.S.A.), 6—3, 3—6, 7—5, 5—7, 6—3. Men’s Doubles Third Round Hopman (Australia) and Prenn (Ger-

many) defeated Burwell (England) and Jones (U.S.A.), 11—9, 9—7, 6—2. Mixed Doubles Third Round Collins and Lady Rowallan (Scotland) defeated von Cramm and Frau Sperling (Germany), 9 —7, 9 —7. Fourth Round Lee and Miss James (England) defeated Collins and Lady Rowallan (Scotland), 6—3, 6—4. Fourth Round Miki (Japan) and Miss Round (England) defeated McGrath and Miss Harrigan (Australia), 7 —5, 7—5. Lott and Miss Palfrey (U.S.A.) defeated Wilde and Mrs King (England), 6—4, 6 —3. Kin | ley and Mrs Godfree Rugland), defeated R. Menzel (Czechoslovakia) and Miss Thomas (England), 7—5, 6—4. In the men \s doubles the score by which Kirby (South Africa) and Miki (Japan) defeated Crawford and Quist (Australia) was 4 —6, 6 —4, 6—3, B—6.8 —6. Perry and Crawford are now established at the head of the world’s tennis, and if Perry can win at Wimbledon ho will eclipse Crawford’s performance last year. In the past season Crawford won the Wimbledon, Australian and French singles championships. A victory to Perry in the present tournament will give him the Wimbledon, American, and Australian singles championships all at the one time. The odds arc heavily on Perry in the

final. Results of previous meetings of the two players in five-set matches are: September 10.—American singles final: Perry won 6—3, 11 —13, 4 —6, fl—l, 6—. L November 26.—Victorian singles final: Perry won 6—2, 2—6, 6—4, 6 —3. January 28.—Australian singles final: Perry won 6 —3, 7—5, 6—l. May s.—British hard court singles final: Perry won B—6, 7 —5, 6—l. In the first tennis Test in Australia Crawford had a victory over Perry, 2—6, 6—4, 6—3. In the other two Tests Crawford did not play, but M‘cGrath beat Perry twice and Quist also defeated the Englishman. Last year Crawford and Perry met only once in big tennis outside Australia. Perry was unexpectedly beaten in both the French and Wimbledon championships and did not play in the match scheduled to take against Crawford in the Davis Cup, Lee substituting for him. This action was taken in order to give Perry a rest in preparation for the challenge round against France a week later. The rubber was already won and Perrv had strained a shoulder when defeating McGrath on the first day. In his semi-final, Crawford led 4 —2 in the final set. Shields levelled to 4—4. The Australian then cantured the American’s service to love and won his own, likewise for the match. This ensured the first all-Empirc Wimbledon final for a-quarter of a century. Hopman sayr: “Until to-dav T strongly favoured Perrv for the championship. but. Crawford has now returned to his best form. This, l oeether with the fact that Crawford has discovered the secret of attacking Perrv instead of waiting for Perrv to attack him, makes me fee! Crawford may be victorious. “ Mrs Helen Wills-Moodt. writing in the Daily Mail, says: “I believe Perry has the, best chan'ce of winning the final. ’ ’ Dous* says: “It is fairlv certain that at Inng last an Englishman will win the final.”