THE DAVIS CUP

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20255, 26 July 1937, Page 8

THE DAVIS CUP

THE CHALLENGE ROUND.

AUSTIN DEFEATS PARKER. BUDGE SUPERIOR TO HARE. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel Copyrlg-ht. LONDON, July 24. The challenge round of the Davis Cup contest was commenced to-day at Wimbledon between the United States (winner of the inter-zone final against Germany) and Britain (holder). The first two single's resulted as follows: H. W. Austin (Britain) defeated F. A. Parker, 6—3, 6—2, 7—6. *l. D. Budge (United States) defeated c. E. Hare, 15 —13, 6—l, 6—2. Austin, who has the reputation of not, losing the first match In the Davis Cup challenge round since Britain won the trophy, opened confidently against Parker. He captured the American’s service in the eighth game and won the first set 6—3. Austin won the second set 6—2. Parker, who never reproduced the form he showed in the Wimbledon championships, made a better fight In the third s.et. Although Austin had

many lapses he’ led 4—2. He dropped two match points In the tenth game and took the twelfth after doublefaulting and two deuces. An Easy Win. The Englishman’s unexpectedly easy win was due to his exploitation of his ability to out-manoeuvre the American. The tall left-hander Hare on hts first appearance in the Davis Cup contest played a magnificent first set against Budge. He won many service points, including aces, and frequently out-volleyed Budge, and led 3—l. Budge evened the score to 4 all. Then Hare won Budge’s service to love and had a chance for the set, but he volleyed wildly and dropped his own service after hard-fought games, many going to deuce. Each player held his service until the score was 14 —13. Hare’, always behind, saved several set points. Budge, in spite of his good form, could not capture Hare's service until the 28th game, when, the Englishman tiring, he three times doublefaulted, and lost after live deuces, 15—13. A Long Set. The set occupied €5 minutes and was one of the longest in the history of the Davis Cup contest. The Englishman's bolt was apparently shot, and the crowd round the court, which had been rapturously applauding his courageous fight, became subdued as it, watched Budge coolly take a s—i load to capture the next set in twelve minutes G—l. Although Hare, in the third set, fought three games to deuce and once held his service to love, Budge, exploiting speed, “cannon-balls” and the whole' armament of his strokes, went on, generally untroubled, to take the match with a final ace. The Doubles. In the doubles on Monday, F. H. D. Wilde and C. R. D. Tuckey will meet Budge and G. G. Mako. In the final singles on Tuesday, Hare will play Parker, and Austin will meet Budge.