TWO FRENCH DEFEATS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 277, 13 February 1928, Page 11

TWO FRENCH DEFEATS

TENNIS IN AUSTRALIA CRAWFORD’S GREAT GAME By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. MELBOURNE, Sunday. In the singles of the tennis test match, France v. Australia, O’Hara Wood defeated Boussus, 6—2, 3 —6, B—G.8 —G. Play was even and brilliant in the earlier sets, and there were many thrilling rallies. The Frenchman’s errors gave Wood some chances of which he took full advantage. In the final set Wood brought all his reserve energy into play, and with the match point in his favour served a hot ace, which flashed past the Frenchman and won the match.

In the doubles Borotra and Brugnon defeated Patterson and Hopman, 4—6, 57, 6—3, 6—4, 7 —5. The match was spectacular, with all players at the top of their form.. The Australians won the first two sets but the visitors gradually made up the leeway. The fifth set was a thrilling contest, and progressed evenly to three all. Hopman lost his service in the seventh game and the Frenchmen won the next, giving them the lead, 5 —3. The Frenchmen held the match point, but the Australians won the next three for the game. Borotra served, but lost the game, for five all, and the Frenchmen took the next and led, 6—5. Brugnon served in the final game and won the set, 7 —5, and the match. In the' tournament, in the men’s singles Borotra was defeated for the first time in Australia by Crawford, 61, o—4. Crawford played a magnificent game,.frequently passing Borotra at the net, and at other times driving hard to his feet. Crawford has never played better than he did in this match. He was extraordinarily severe on both hands. —A. and N.Z. TILDEN STILL ON TOP U.S.A. RANKING LISTS CHICAGO, Saturday. The name of W. T. Tilden heads the ranking list of the men’s national singles players of the United States Lawn Association. Francis Hunter is second and George Lott third. Tilden and Hunter are first in the doubles list, with Johnston and Williams second. The national ranking list omits Johnston’s name for tjie first time for many years. The first 10 are: Tilden, Hunter, Lott, Alonzo, Hennessey, Vanryn, Jones, Does;, White and Holman. The first five women are: Miss Wills, Mrs. Mallory, Mrs. Chapin, Miss Jacobs and Mrs. Goss. The United States Lawn Tennis Association at its annual meeting decided to send on to the Davis Cup committee Tilden’s suggestion to nominate two Davis Cup teams, one to play on American soil and the other to get at least six weeks’ practice under European conditions befor© attempting to enter the challenge round, and thus not to jeopardise the chances through lack of acclimatisation. The association also decided to approve of open tourneys at which professionals and amateurs could compete, but only after special permission has been granted. The date set for the national singles tournament at Forest Hills is {September 10 and for the men s doubles at Boston, August 27. —A. and N.Z.