The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-07-01

dihuOSt CeTtdlIl IO De tHe NO. l pldS el of the United States Davis Cup team when and If that team reaches the challenge round, was in superb form and literally smothered the French man with the power of his attack. Borotra, rated as the finest net player in the game, never was able to score from that vantage point to- day and won his only set by using a "soft" game. When the French man came bounding into the net for the kill Shields would simply leave him standing there flatfooted with remarkably accurate backhand and forehand drives down the sidelines. Shields, strapping six-footer with tremendous strength and stam- ina, was decidedly on his game. That is, every shot was working and he could do no wrong. Ais service was impeachable; his strokes were packed with power and uncanningly accurate: and his long legs enabled him to cover the court swiftly.
 Shields set bliste ring pace from the start and when they came out for the third set Borotra appeared tired. Many in the gallery thought Borotra was feign!ng fatigue in a hope to catch Shields mapping. But later events proved that the French man was sincere and simply unable to match the stamina of his oppon- ent.
 Shields gave great display of gameness in the fourth set when he fell heavily, spraining his right leg. Borotra insisted that the American be granted a rest and wrapped his own sweaters about Shieldss shoul- ders. After a few minutes of rest Shields, limping badly, returned to the court and ran out the set for vic tory.
 Shields injury came while chasing a low cut-shot just over the net. When he saw he could not reach the ball the New Yorker made 8 flying lunge and skidded headforemost into the webbing. BorOtra ran to his as- sistance.
 The Frenchman was given a deaf ening ovation by the crowd of 15,- 900 when he insisted his opponent take time out.
 The two Americans are the young est Wimbledon mems singles final ists in history. Wood, juvenile mem Der of the United States Davis Cup squad. will not reach his twentieth birthday until Nov l, 1881, while Shields passed his twentieth birth day on Move IS, 1880.
 Wood, noted for his "soft" game, elected to slug it out with Perry in the first set and although he won the first four games, dropped the next six to lose 4-6.
 In the second set Wood abandoned his slashing tactics and contented himself with belaboring Perrys vul- nerable backhand with chop strokes. The Englishman was unable to handle the chops as he was Woods drives, and frequently drove into the net.
 less against Woods tantaliZing re- abandoned the power game and at tempted to match the American at the "soft" style of play. Wood, however, was much the steadier and had little trouble in winning.
 Realizing that he had his op- ponent on the run Wood, in the fourth set, mixed his slow game with driving attack, Perry fought game lv for the first few games but virtu- ally quit near the end of the set. In the final game he made little or no effort to handle Woods service. The all-American final strength ened the belief that the U. $. Davis Cup team will recover lhe inter- national trophy lost to France in 1927. Of course. the American squad must earn the right to meet France by defeating the winner ol the European zone final between I England and Czechoslovakia but that accomplishment promises nc serious difficulty.
 Shields and Wood also are in tho semi-fnal bracket of the mems dou bles where they will meet tho French ranking team of Henr Cochet and Jacques Brugnon. The Frenchmen qualified for semi-fina play to-day by defeating Jiro Satol and Minoru Kawachi of Japan, 4-6 6-2, 8-6, GA.
 To-day's other feature match saw F'raulein Cilly Aussem of German, defeating Mile Payot of France, 2-6 6-2. 6-1, for the right to meet Mm' Rene Mathieu of France in the wo mems singles semi-finals. The win ner will meet the survivor of thu Berkeley, Cal, and Fraulein Il krahwinkel of Germany, for thu championship,
 America also will be represented in the women's doubles quarter finals. Mrs l.. A. Harper of Oak land, Cal, and Mrs John VanRyn Philadelphia, were idle to-day bu will meet Miss Betty Nuthall ant Mrs Fearnlcy Hittingstall of Eng land tomorrow. The English wo men qualified for the quarter-fina round to-day by defeating thei country women Miss Muriel Thoma and Mrs Phyllis Satterthwaite, 6-4 TX