LAWN TENNIS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18480, 7 September 1925, Page 11

LAWN TENNIS.

AUSTRALIANS IN

SINGLES.

PATTERSON BEATS LACOSTE. ANDERSON DEFEATED BY > BOROTRA. (BT «".*h I.v.—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND S.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) NEW YORK, September 4. Tho first day's play in the Davis Cup inter-zono final between Australia and I'rance resulted:— Gerald Patterson (Australia) defeated Reno Lacosto (France) 6-n, 6-1, 6-2. Jean Borotra (France) defeated J. 0. Anderson (Australia) 6-4, 6-3, S-6.

Patterson's Deadly Service. In the first set, Patterson opened with deadly service and won the game to lovo on two service aces and two forced errors. He repeated the performan.ee in the fifth gams. In the meantimo Lacoste had managed to, win bis service games. The first break camo in tho sixth game when Lacoste was forced to yield his service after the lengthiest of rallies, giving Patterson, a lead of 4-2, which'the next service increased to 5-2. Patterson's backhand was splendid undor a continuous bombardment. Patterson won the set 6-3. Frenchman Cool.

In the second .get, Lacoste was unperturbed. Ho attacked with greater aggressiveness, but was not ablo to do more than win his own service games. Patterson's attack was still too formidable. The Australian's backhand grew a little uncertain, but his tremendous service and crisp volleying were incomparable. ICills of lobs, continually checked Lacoste. Power triumphed over control, Patterson playing the best tennis ho has shown this season. A service break in the seventh game was sufficient lor Patterson to win the set, 6-4.

Third Set Won. In the opening game of the third set, Patterson broke through Lacoste's service after six deuces. Lacosto rallied brilliantly, and gauged the sidelines to a nicety, retaliating with a break in the second game. Hs raised French hopes in the third by taking tho lead tor the first time in the match, but the hope proved a fleeting one. The Australian rushed through the next two games to love, and won the next two for a lead of 5-2, and ended the match in the eighth. Getting terrific speed into his service, he won 6-2.

Patterson won on the sheer power of his Berrico and his cannon-ball drives. Lacosto, helpless before tho terrific power of his opponent's attack, was unable to approach (he net, where ho is usually most effective. His defeat is deemed a staggering setback for France.

Borotra and Anderson. Borotra started well against Anderson, taking the first two games. Uulike Lacoste, who played entirely from the back court, Borotra stormed the net from the opening rally and continued to hold early advantage.' gaining a lead of 4-2. Anderson was having trouble to control his strokes," many drives finding the net, Borotra forcing him to hurry his strokes. Tho Frenchman broke the service the second time in the seventh game, leading 5-2. Borotra was within a point of taking the set three times in tho eighth game, only to be checked as Anderson steadied and found tho corners and raced the Frenchman ragged to win the game. Anderson took tho ninth game, but Borotra clinched matters in the tenth, winning 6-4.

Borcrtra's Driving Tolls. In the second set Borotra again broke the service and gained a lead of 2-0. Ho still aggressively forced his way to the net. astonishing spectators by outstaying the Australian in driving exchanges. When Borotra led 4-1, Anderson bestirred himself and showed the kind of tennis expected fro/n him. He took two games, but the spurt was shortlived. The Australian contributed distressing errors and dropped the next two games; his poor control and lack of "speed baffling the critics and Borotra took the set.

Anderson Unsteady. In the third set, Anderson's tennis continned streaky. He could not settle down to consistent control. Borotra was r.till aggressive and took a lead of 3-1. The Australian began taking chances in the next two games, and succeeded by brilliant passes in taking the scoro to three-all. Then Borotra halted him and moved ahead 5-3. Anderson broke the Frenchman's service in the ninth. Borotra was within a point of winning the match three times in the tenth game, but dropped four points in a row as Anderson tightened vp and made-the score an even five-all. The Australian was cheered vociferously for his determined stand, which only served to del3y defeat, Borotra clinching his triumph m thn fourteenth game, taking the set 8-6.

THE DOUBLES.

TITANIC STRUGGLE. FRENCH WIN IN FIFTH SET. (austbalian ASD i-'.Z. CABLE association.) '(Received September 6th, 5.5. p.m.) XEW YORK. September •>. In tho Davis Cup doubles, Lacoste and Borotra defeated Patterson and Hawkes, 6-1 3-6, 6-4, 1-6, 15-8. Hawkes had intended to stay out. of the doubles, a« he injured- liis back while ©laying last week, but tho desire of tie Australians to win the advantage to-day bj ought him in in place of Anderson. In the first cot Lacoste, in his opening Eervice, won the game with the aid of two untaxable smashes by Borotra. The Australians had to work iiaid to win tie pr'nrt

jame, chiefly because of two double fault® by Patterson. A service break followed as tho Australians pounded tho Bervico returns at Borotra's feet. , Hawkes took tho fourth pame at love, forcing errors with his sharp breaking service. The score then 5-1 in the Australians' favour. The advantage was of brief duration. Hawkes ran into a streak of wild hitting that helped* the Frenchmen to win. three games running, including a break through Patterson's service. The Australians wero being outstcadiod, if not oiitgenerallcd. The Frenchmen maintained the upper hand and won. the set. 6-1. The tenth game was marked bv another loss of Patterson's bervico. Thus far play waa gTeatly below international calibre, and Hawke» and Patterson both had trouble with their' control.

Stroaky Second Set. The second set, like tho first, begin in j rather mediocre style. Strategy was at a minimum, and it waa mostly a slugging; exhibition. The Frenchmen continued to play more steadily, but the ecore wont to two all, tho Australiansi winning their service games after deuce points. Finally in the fifth game there came a break through Borotra's service, which Buffered two double faults, and paved the way for on Australian lead of 4-2. Hero the Australians gave indication of having struck their stride, and they won two of the nest three games in decisive fashion, smashing and lobbing with abandon. Borotra closed tho set with another double fault, the Australians winning 6-3.

Kills at the Net, In tho third set play to scintilllato with sensational recoveries and sparkling rallies, and the gallery of v five thousand was at lasti being treated to a reel championship brand of doubles. After the games had gono to two all, Hawkes dropped, his service for first time in the match. The £*rench players assumed tho lead, i which they brought to 4-2. Then Lacoste'e service was broken through for the first time, and tho score was brought to four all. - The next two games witnessed the most spirited play of the match. Both were won by tho Frenchmen, who stormed the net determinedly; bringing off spectacular kills. Hawkes waa forced to yield his service. The Australians, with their backs against the wall, lobbed back six of, Borotra's smashes before the Frenchman won the game and set,' 6-4. Struck I*7 a Bsud. In tho fourth set an unfortunate accident occurred when tho games wero one all. During a sharp volleying duel at the net Borotra was struck on the temple by a Herrific smash of? Patterson's racquet at close range. The- Frenchman was felled, and was unabie to play for ten mimitee, after whii-U he appeared none tho worse for the. iniiaiap, and fought with his usual nimblenese during the rest of the set. Poor control overhead, however, cost him his service game, jwd gavo the Australians a 3-1 lead.

Borotra's play continued erratic, and he made two errors on game pointe. The Australians won the set 6-1.

Brilliant ruth Set In the final eet the match was still r.obody's when tho games were six all. Then they went to seven all and tho crowd was tense. Two swiftly played games, -with atrve the all-important factor, and the ecore was eight all. Hio end came in the eighteenth <m the break through of Hawkes'a service, the Frenchmen winning 10-8, aftor being match point for tie sixth time. Superior control in pinches told tho story. The Australians had made » great stand against a team of youth, who played truly brilliant tennis.

Johnston Beats Tilden. In a. ono-set exhibition, singles match preceding the doubles, Johnston defeated Tilden 6-4. In an exhibition doubles followiiig, and Williams debated Andeirsou and Alonzo, 6-0, 7-5. ,