DAVIS CUP

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25581, 24 August 1948, Page 5

DAVIS CUP

AUSTRALIA TO MEET U.S. IN CHALLENGE CZECHS BEATEN IN INTER-ZONE FINAL (Rec. 8 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 22. Australia beat Czechoslovakia by three matches to two in the inter-zone final of the Davis Cup and will now meet America in the challenge round. Afterwards the Czechs complained against the umpiring, according to the United Press of America. Cemik, who was beaten by Sidwell in the deciding matdh, said: “I never saw such officiating. I don’t understand it. I guess we are not very popular here.” Cemik complained that he lost three critical points in the first set yesterday because of "careless officiating.” Karel Kozeluh the Czech coach, joined in Cernik’s complaints. “It seems strange that every close play that was critical was called against us,” he said. “On close plays the officials seemed to know only one word, ‘Australia.’” Drobny, who was also beaten by Sidwell, said: “I do not say that these officials are not good, but they are certainly not for Czechoslovakia.” Mr Merrill Hall, chairman of the Davis Cup committee of management, said he considered that the officiating had been “very fairly and impartially handled.” The head referee. Mr Irving Wright, said* “I sincerely believe the officiating was excellent.” Kozeluh said he did not plan to make a formal protest. Sidwell, by beating Drobny, and by beating Cemik more easily than Quist had done, established himself as No. 1 singles player of the current Australian Davis Cup team. Sidwell dropped only one service game in his match against Cemik. Sidwell attacked after the Czech had levelled the scores, 3-3. in the second set. Cemik only reluctantly left the baseline, and Sidwell closed in nimbly for decisive volleys and smashes. Sidwell gained a 3-1 lead in the third set, and Cernik’s resistance then crumbled. Sidwell broke Cernik’s service to love in the eighth game and concluded the match, which lasted 85 minutes, jwith an emphatic smash.