AUSTRALIANS' FIGHT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 239, 30 May 1932, Page 5

AUSTRALIANS' FIGHT

(Press. Assn.-

SHIELDS DEPEATS HQPMAN AND VINES LEADS CRAWFORD RAIN STOPS PLAY

-By Telegraph— Copyright).

Rec. May 29, 5.5 p.m. PHILADELPHIA, Saturday. Before the matches eommenced the Australian Press Association asked Mr Sam Hardy, of the American Davis Cup Gommittee, and Mr. Glemenger, manager of the Australian team, for an fexpression on the condition of their respective teams, Mr. Hardy, interestingly enough, was full of praise'for the Australians and said that on the basis of both teams' showing during practice there was nothing to choose between them. He went' on to say; "While it is not likely, I should not be surprised if either team won five straight matches, they are so on top of their form." Mr. Clemenger reiterated that the Australians were fit. He said: "We have one of the world's greatest players. I expect the matches will he hard fought." Shields v. Hopman Match Shields (United States) defeated Hopman (Australia), 6 — 4, 6 — 1, 6—2. Shields began the service and lost the game. A brisk wind was blowing across court, making play difficult. The players were hoth cautious, playing the back-court game. The score was 2 — 2 after the Australian had lost on his service in the fourth. Shields then again lost his service and Hopman went into a 4 — 2 lead. The next game the American was netting and, outing. The Australian now attempted a fatal mixing of pace alternating deep court drives with short volleys ,but Shields was steady on returns and ran out winner of the set. Hopman losing his service in the tenth game, in which he was unsteady. Despite the wind the heat on the court was terrifie and Hopman sesmed badly tired. Hopman's Difficulties Hopman was having obvious difficulties with his game, although he bravely stood his ground throughout in the f ourcourt, smashing the American's lobbs, but again and again he was passed by sharply-angled shots. He now changed his racquet and with it his luck, winning the sixth game. Hopman opened the third set with service, but he was not playmg vi orously. Shields, who is noted for his cannonball service and tremendous forehand drives, was also not extending himself in the heat. Shields' play was spotty in the fourth game, in which he served and lost. Hopman steadied remarkably in the next game, which he won by carefully timing returns. He dropped the next two games by netting, outing, or being passed at the net. The American gained the final game hy a smashing forecourt attack. The match took an hour. Vines v. Crawford Rain and wind halted play for ihe day when Vines (United States) vas leading Crawford (Australia), 6 — 2, 6—4, 2—6. The fourth set - stood at three all when play stopped. In the first set Crawford took the service and lost the first game. The wind, if anything had smartened and gave the balls a very uncertain direction. Vines' vigorous service in ihe sixth game caught Crawford unprepared, so that he was hardly able o uut his racquet on it. The American thus took a commanding lead and ran out winner of the set on the Australian's repeated nets in the eighth. Crawford Out of Form Crawford, although winning the spectators' applause from time to time with brilliantly-angled passing shots. was far from his top form. He was having difficulty in reaching his stride. Crawford again reached geat heights to win the fifth game in a hard-fought, repeatedly-deuced contest. By breaking through Vines' service he went into the lead, winning the seventh at love and compelling the American to run dizzily from side to side of the court with ungettable returns; but Vines was not to be denied. He took the following three games principally on well earned points. He made seemingly impossible gets, returning Crawford's smashes to his feet and placing his shots out of the Australian's reach. Crawford's Fine Play Crawford opened the third set with a love service game and broke through the American's service in the second. Crawford at 5 — 2 was clearly in eontrol. His backhand was heautifully timed, compelling the American to run wildly back and forth. The Australian allowed the American only a singl'e point on the latter's service in fhe last game. The Australian lost the service in the opening of the fourth set and Vines increqsed his lead to 2 — 0 with a sizzling service and striking passing shots. Crawford was having hard luck. He lost the third game on a net eord shot and slip of the racquet on the hall. Vines lalpsed into errors in the fourth game. He was out of position to take the Australian's wellplaced returns from service and was unable to handle Crawford's service. In the fifth game the score was evened at 3 — 3, when the Australian lost the service. In the sixth a rapid thunder shower developed and the match was halted.