Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Monday 28 May 1934, page 12


TENNIS TRIO BEATEN

Turnbull Fights Hard FRENCH SINGLES By HARRY HOPMAN— Special to The Courier-Mail. PARIS, May 27.

Three of the Australians were eliminated from the French championships. Merlin defeating Quist, and Boussus

accounting for Turnbull. Menzcl beat McGrath. Turnbull. however, although he lost, provided the match of the day. Chosen as a doubles player, he was not expected to worry Boussus, yet his style and attack not only worried but almost defeated the French No. 1 player. Boussus was erratic at the start, and Turnbull was content to push back the ball quietly. He found himself winning, and kept up these tactics until the Frenchman brightened up, and then he began attacking the backhand corner. Turnbull was content to play for sp.fcty in the third set. He might have won it if he had attacked, as Boussus was afraid to do more than keep the ball in play. Boussus, after the interval, attacked strongly, but it was anybody's match until 3-3 in the fifth, when Boussus's better judgment and greater experience told their tale. QUIST NERVOUS. Quist's defeat by Merlin surprised the Australians. He showed nervous ness in the opening set by slow footwork and an inclination to hit too quickly. The condition of the centre court was f&r from ideal; the wind was strong and gusty. Merlin began confidently, and aided by Quist's poor length, attacked on almost every stroke, winning the first set easily. Quist appeared even more worried in the second set. and Merlin

advanced to 3-0. Then a quick change came. Quist put more devil into his service, and volleyed hotly, evening at 3-all. Merlin, however, then played beautifully, taking the attack from Quist and keeping him guessing with forcing drives. Quist looked a winner at 4-1, In the third set, but bad serving by him in the sixth game gave Merlin fresh heart. Quist again seemed worried, and appeared not to know what to do. He lost five games in succession, three of them on his service. Merlin played well, but Quist was far from his best. CRAWFORD COMING BACK. Crawford, in his match against Gabrovitz, gave glimpses of his best form, and showed more confidence than in any game since he left Australia. His forehand, however, has not quite reached his standard of last year. McGBATH BRILLIANT. McGrath's opponent, Tloczynski is ranked No. 1 with Hebda in Poland, but on yesterday's form is much better. McGrath was very 6low in the first set, and allowed the Pole to do all the attacking. He brightened in the second, but fell away in the third, making far too many errors. Tloczynski's driving was almost perfect. The last two sets were a revelation, McGrath attacking throughout. He gave a wonderful display of volleying, and anticipated cleverly. CONCENTRATION POOR.

S. N. Doust and many foreign journalists consider that the fifth, in the match was the best set in the tournament. Yet, despite McGrath's brilliant display, and recognising the difficulty of giving one's best in the morning, the Australians lack ability to concentrate throughout an entire match. McGrath meets Menzel in the next round, and the Czecho-Slovakian will test his ability. I upset Gentien with a driving game, with deep 6hots and good lobbing and occasional net attacks. There were many bad decisions both ways in our match, and we agreed to play every ball. Many complaints have been made by foreign players about the umpiring in the early matches. McGrath— Miss Hartigan were not sufficiently strong for the crack German pair, von Cramm — Fraulein Horn. Miss Hartigan held her own in driving duels with Fraulein Horn, but von Cramm's splendid net play and interceptions turned the scale. McGrath was erratic. Crawford— Miss Scriven had to fight hard in the second set to beat the French youngsters, Troncin — Molle Iribarne, who held two points on Crawford's service for a 5-4 lead.

w-enn and myself found Galeppe— Landan easy in the first set, but thereafter they returned everything. THE DRAW AHEAD. To-morrow's centre court matches include McGrath v Henzel, which will be most interesting in view of the possibility of Australia meeting Czecho-Slovakia in the Davis Cup If McGrath plays well the Australians will have no difficulty in picking a pair for the Davis Cup singles. Perry should repeat his Australian defeat of myself, but Crawford should comfortably defeat Sleem (India), who to-day easily beat ^estremeau, the French junior champion. Quist first partners Miss Ryan against Missandrus— Moll Le Seur. Turnbull— Quist meet the Italians, Sertorio — Palmieri and Turnbull— Mrs. Molesworth later play Morel Deville— Mercier. GOOD FRENCH COLTS. The Australians have been im-' pressed by the number of young Frenchmen showing skill in singles. They all play a solid game, driving to both wings, but seldom play at the net. Their services are brilliant. France should produce a champion with Lacoste as chief adviser to the youngsters. Results:— Men's Singles.— Second round: Men* zel v Landry, 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 Third round: Merlin v Quist, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4; Boussus v Turnbull, 2*6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6r3; H. Hopman v Gentian, 6-2, 7-5, 6-3; Menzel v Berthet, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3; Artens v Lesner, 6-6, 6-4, 12-10; McGrath v Tloczynski. 4-6, 6-4, 1-8, 6-0, 6-2. Crawford v. Sleem, 0-6, 6-1, 7-5, 6-0. Fourth round.— Menzel v. McGrath, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. Men's Doubles. — Second round: Hughes— Perry v Dacquart— Dejepino (France), 6*4, 6-4. 6-3; Hopman— Prenn v Galeppe— Landau, 6-0, 10-12, 6-3. 6-4: Austin— Hare (Britain) v Hebda— Tloczynski (Poland), 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Women's Singles.— Second round: fraulein Horn v Miss Babcock, 6-4, 6-3. Mixed Doubles.— Second round: Crawford— Miss Scriven v Troncin— Mddle. Tribarnc, 6-2, 6-4: von Cramm —Fraulein Horn v McGrath— Miss Hartigan, 6-4, 6-3; Borotra— Mddle . Rosambert v Malfroy— Miss Hardwick, 6-4, 7-5.