Among the quarter-finals in 1932, Helen Jacobs defeated Hildegard Krahwinkel and Betty Nuthall lost out to Rene Matthieu of France. Here's how The Times reported the day.
From The Times, 28 June, 1932
Miss Heeley in semi-final round
The fifth round in the Ladies' Singles was played in the Lawn Tennis Championships at the All-England Club at Wimbledon yesterday. As a result, Mrs F.S. Moody, the American, who has been four times champion, will meet Miss M. Heeley, the young English player, in the semi-final round, and the other match will be between Miss H. Jacobs, another American player, who has often done well at Wimbledon, and Mme. Mathieu, of France.
The heat yesterday seemed to take a great deal out of the ladies playing. In fact, at one time Fraulein Krahwinkel, when she was to serve after a long rally, was so tired and overcome, that she did not remember that she was serving until called upon by the referee.
There was a bigger attendance than ever, in spite of the heat. Only enthusiasts could have borne the sun beating on them on the exposed side of the court.
Miss H. Jacobs, of the United States, had her revenge on Fraulein Krahwinkel, who beat her last year in the semi-final round, and won in two sets (6-2, 6-4). Fraulein Krahwinkel had great difficulty in returning Miss Jacobs's endless chops and making winning shots of them. She drove well at the start, but the combined effect of the heat and these sliced strokes were her undoing. Fraulein Krahwinkel took the first two games, and then Miss Jacobs began her triumphal programme, winning the next seven games in a row.
There was little net play, and when there was the shots were rarely winning ones. Miss Jacobs rarely tried to put the ball away, and when Fraulein Krahwinkel came at intervals to the net her shots nearly always went out. The same fate awaited many of her drives, which, instead of just getting the line, as they usually do, went many yards out.
She was also playing a peculiar spoon stroke, with no power behind it.
She made a fight in the fourth, fifth and sixth games, getting to deuce each time. Her drives were met by persistent chop strokes, no matter where she placed them. Miss Jacobs won the first set with one of her few smashes.
Both revelled in backhand play, so that numerous duels ensued, each trying to get the other into a position from which it might be possible to get a point. Fraulein Krahwinkel led at 3-2 in the second set, but after that her judgment seemed to fail. Her usual energy was lacking and Miss Jacobs was calling the tune all the way. When Miss Jacobs was leading 5-3 there was a tremendous struggle.
At 40-30 Miss Jacobs had a match point. In this game Fraulein Krahwinkel lost count of time, and her service, but after three deuces and another match point lost Faulein Krahwinkel won the game for 5-4. The final game was almost as long as the rest of the set. There were eight deuces, Fraulein Krahwinkel leading nearly every time. Miss Jacobs had three match points before she made the match her own. It seemed ready for a third set. It was not an exhilarating match. Both seemed to play for safety; neither tried any short shots and there were many long rallies and little sparkling play.
Miss Nuthall's defeat
Mme Mathieu again beat Miss B. Nuthall (6-0, 6-3). This is the third time she has won this season, the previous victories having been on hard courts. Miss Nuthall now seems unable to beat her. Mme. Mathieu had two love games in the first set. In the fourth Miss Nuthall got back among her old enemies, double-faults, and contributed two to a love game.
Mme Mathieu generally wins so easily that her clever play is not always realized by the spectator.
Miss Nuthall drove hard, but Mme. Mathieu can drive as hard as anyone, when she cares. A double-fault by Miss Nuthall finished the first set. Against a wily opponent like Mme Mathieu, Miss Nuthall rarely ventured to the net. English hopes were raised when Miss Nuthall started off wth the first game in the second set, only to lose her advantage as Mme. Mathieu proceeded to win the next three.
Miss Nuthall again double-faulted frequently, though in between she was serving with great power, and won several service aces. She made so little fight that she lost the final game on Mme. Mathieu's service to love, and Mme. Mathieu's services are rarely winners. She is content not to serve double-faults, without bothering to score directly from them. Mme. Mathieu has improved greatly this season, and is probably the cleverest lady now playing the game.
