DAVIS CUP TENNIS

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 20 June 1933, Page 3

DAVIS CUP TENNIS

EXCITING PLAY AT PARIS,

AUSTRALIAN PAIR’S VICTORY,

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) PARIS, June 18.

Australia’s road is now clear for the final in the Davis Cup European zone, presumably against Britain at Wimbledon. Crawford arid Quist beat Satoh f and Nunoi 7—5, 7—9', 6—3, 3—6, 6—3. As Crawford and McGrath won their singles yesterday Japan was eliminated without the necessity of playing the full five matches. The experiment of playing Quist with Crawford and placing the latter on the left of the court succeeded beyond expectations. Quist rose to the occasion superbly and supplied the hostility that was lacking in the Craw-ford-McGrath combination. Quist, indeed, deserves the bulk of the credit for the victory. The crowd of about three thousand was the best the Australians have yet enjoyed. The spectators were again keen and good-humoured but anxious to participate in the umpiring, which caused the newspaper “L’Auto” to reproach the authorities with allowing themselves yesterday to be heckled into changing a linesriian. Crawford had to appeal to the crowd to cease its I dertioristfation in his favour when a linesman gave a critical point in the fourth set against the Australian. Rain began as the players went on the courts. Quist, serving, won the first game. The players were then forced to retire for half an hour. Despite the rain the drenched spectators demanded 4 ‘Gontinuez!' Continuez!” The Australians started badly, Quist repeatedly netting volleys, but the pair recovered from I—4 behind to lead 5—4, due largely to Quist, who captured the ninth game from o—4o.0 —40. _ Rain caused a further 20 minutes’ delay in the second set when the Australians 'led 3 —o, but the tennis thereafter was uninterrupted. The Japanese, particularly Nunoi, were now in better form They tenaciously levelled to four all. When leading 6—5 'the Australians held two set points, the loss of which must afterwards have given them nervous moments. With Crawford driving subtly and placing with great accuracy and Quist serving admirably and smashing tigerish]}-, they took the third set without undue trouble.

The Japanese, whose doggedness and pluck were a feature Of all the matches, captured the fourth set, which was remarkable inasmuch as the only service game lost therein was Crawford’s in the seventh game. For sustained excitement, fierce hitting and wonderful recoveries, especially Nunoi’s', this set was the peak point of the match.

The standard dropped considerably in the fifth, Satoh particularly failing t 6 repeat yesterday’s overhead skill and Crawford often erring, taking high balls which Quist was able to kill with greater certainty. The Japanese fought splendidly to the finish, staving off defeat when the Australians were ahead 5—2 and 4 —o. Then Quist clinched the rubber on his service, the strength of which was shown by the fact that he lost only two of 17 service games throughout the match.

Quist, although this was his first serious Davis Cup contest, acquited himself magnificently. He served with great power, killed the majority of smashes, and won points with drives down the middle. Crawford displayed his customary eourter-aft. Satoh was a little out of touch, but Nunoi was remarkable for consistency and he retrieved brilliantly.

JAPANESE TAKE SINGLES,

Received 10.15 a.m. to-day

LONDON, June 19,

In- the Davis Cup tennis elimination play Perry aiid Hiighes defeated Menzel and Marsalek 6—3, 6 —4, 6—4. At Paris Nunoi defeated McGrath 6—4, 6 —4, 6—S, 7 —5 and Satoh defeated Crawford 3 —6, 6—3, 6 —l, I—6, 6—2.