TENNIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1928, Page 4

TENNIS.

DAVIS CUR PROSPECTS. AUSTRALIAN PLAYERS. AUCKLAND. March 13. “I don't think Australia lias jiot a Isopo of winning tin* Davis ('up hack this year, and, what is nioiv, they minht not oven heat Italy. v That is the opinion of Mr E. 11. .M’K ay, manager of the last New Smith Wales team which toured New Zealand, who arrived by the Alnunganni from Sydney to-day on a combined hii'.iness and holiday trip. Mr AUKay thinks that, supposing the Australians got to the challenge round, they would crumple under the seven' French fusillade. The Australians have got one outstanding player, and he is a real ace—young Crawford. lie beat Rorotra. the third man of all France, twice in Melbourne, and he played amazing iemiis. Even the Frenchman seemed to he bewildered. Crawford lias few poor strokes. His forehand clips the sidelines with deadly accuracy, and so does lus hark|,i,iid. llotli are hard hitting shots. His volleying i> accurate and carries a lot of pace. His overhead work is s mud. and. when he trie-, he can smash with almost as much force as 'Patterson. Crawford is a unlit six feet high and is something nltei the style of 1. O. Anderson in build. •'There are few lirst-clnss players coming on in Australia.” said Mr M'Kav. "To my mind they have chosen the wrong men far the Davis Cup team, .llopnian is a good doubles player but only a fair singles man. Of course Crawford, the wonder hid. is the hope of the Side. To my mind there is no doubt about it. Crawford is the coming champion of champions.”