LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1342, 20 January 1912, Page 13

LAWN TENNIS.

DAVIS COP COMPETITORS AT AUCKLAm (By Telegraph—Press Association.} Auckland, January 19. The Davis Cop competitors pave on exhibition on tho Eden niul Epsom corirt this morning. Tho court was in Bplcndid ordor, though tho ground was a littlo heavy. Unfortunately !ialf-way through tho morning hoavy rain oanio on and play had to be stopped for tho time. Beala Wright seenicu to feel the unfavourable conditions more than tho other _ mien, though ail were all'ccted by tho rain and tho slippery ground. It was impossible for tho men to show their best form under such circumstances, but" they gave tho spectators some idea of what firstclass tennis means, and providod an exhibition such as Auckland tennis players have never poen before, and are unfortunately not likely to witness again for a long time to coine. Tho match was rather one-sided, though not so much so as tho scores would indicate. Brookes and Dunlop boat the American pair, 6 —3," 6 —3, 6—2, 6—4; but though tlicy won tho throe sets straight there were many long rallies and in bsveral of tho games deuco was a great number of times before tho deciding stroko was scored. The outstanding features of tho play were the remarkable services of MTLiOughlin and Brookes, tho volleying of Dunlop, and Wright's effective cat strokes oft tho ground. Though tho Americans did not win a set they wore by no means outclassed, and quite apart from their great reputation they showed that thoy aro capable of far better things. Apart from tho perfcct style and judgment of Brookes and tho brilliancy of MTjonghlin, perhaps tho most instructive feature of the play was the low volleying in which Dunlop excelled. Tennis players looking on noted that all four men volleyed from near tho scrrico line, and that they seldom came very closo to tho net. After the gamo Mr Itolmes, president of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, presented each member of the two teams with a piece of llangiwai (tho most beautiful form of greenstone), as a memento of their visit to New Zealand, and more especially to Auckland. Three clumm's for tho visitors terminated a display that will live long in the memory of all the Aucklanders who wero fortunate CKiugh 1o witness it. Tho American Davis Cup tennis team left by tho Marama for Vancouver tliir afternoon. In the course of a brief farewell inter view, Hi'. Lnrned, tile captain, said thai the next contest would be played in Aus tralia- The (cam lirnl had hard luck but it was nobody's fault. Larncd addei that New Zcuiand was no plaoe lo plai on international tennis match, as tlTi tfmther vsa too indrjaodablo.