LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1681, 22 February 1913, Page 13

LAWN TENNIS.

[By Footfault.}

THE GLAD HAND PUT FORTH. And by America. Tho following (being the editorial of "American Lawn Tennis" on tho win of the British Isles in the Davis Cup match) shows very clearly tho great advantages accruing to tho lino sport of tennis by, that historical victory. Tho article states as follows:—' ''However much wo may eympavhisa withia great.sporting nation like Australasia, we cannot but rejoice at the success of,the British Isles's first attempt to lift tho Davis Cup in Melbourne. It is undoubtedly best for the gunio that tho famous trophy is at last to return to tho country which won if, from us>and retained possession of it for four years. Now it can, and undoubtedly will, be contested for by all the leading lawn tennis-playing nations. . Tho inhibition of distance and time, which operated to reduce the number of challenging nations- and resulted in keeping tho number of ties played in Australasia down to four or nvo years, is now removed, temporarily, at least,' Next year we shall, unless all signs fail, havo in England, a real world's championship of tho nations. It will be a contest the like of which has never been scon, and interest, dn it will be intense. "The victory of tho British Isles tenni was almost astounding in its unexpectedness. Wo have become accustomed to tho sight of Britons rising to heights at supreme moments, and wo felt sure flint the present team would •make a'gallant fight and acquit itself creditably. But that it should 'Hit' tho cup, and that easily, seemed at first almost-.unbelievable. Yet after ' the first day's play no- other ending of tho contest seemed reasonably pos- . siblc. For Parko to bent Brookes and then lose to Heath was inconceivable; ; it would have been an anti-climax as rcgrcttablo as amazing. Whether the man ho vanquished was still the • 'Mighty Brookes'-,is (something we Cfmnot tell until wo get tho full accounts : of tho battle; but tho Australian's victory over Dixon, in straight sota'is proof that ho could not have been very much off his gaino. At any rato, tho tiro central figures of this Homorio battlo wero Parke and Brookes. The

farmer's victory oyer tlio.latter in tho : - opening match gavo tho British Isles : . a commanding lead, while Brookes's do.feat struck a terrific blow- to Aus- ( tralflsia's prestige,. and undoubtedly shook Heath's confidence. Dixon's win ■ was tlie.second, blow, and after that recovery was almost hopeless., In ono afternoon tho world's foreyiost exponent of the gamo was toppled frpm , his lofty perch and a new and.hitherto little regarded player thr.ust himself •n tho limelight.".Wo wait anxiously' to learn liow Parke beat. Brcokes tho volleyer from. tho baseline/'.. <•-; Wollington Club Handicaps and Championships. ■. V Club handicap and champipnship tournaments form tlie piece de resistance in these glowing summer ■ days. The Wellington Club hajTjust posted up'the draw, and, members mo setting to work iii an enthusiastic manner. It is hoped to havo all events concluded in three weeks' time. On the first round of tho championships the draw will apparently' provide some very even games in tjio men's singles. H. Blown will undoubtedly work out to the final. He sholild there be given a good gamo by either' Ward or 15 ller, who meet m the first round. • After some "weeding out" has taken placo in tho- ladies' 'singles,', Miss Travers will no doubt, meet Mrs. Pernio,, and, as tho former should v.'bi, the final will, in all probability, bo fought, out between Miss' iWers and' Miss Van Staveron. Tho 'handicap singles in both tho ladies' and .men's events have boon worked, off. The former was won by Mrs. Ferine, who defeated - Miss Atmorb'/in tlio final, and ~ the latter ■ by' 1). Ward.... 'Both had • 110 great, difficulty in gaining thecr victories. ■ The men's championship doubles should' go to Brown and Fernie, though Ward and lillor will, doubtless be li formidable proposition. .... ■ ' ; In' the handicap. doubles, Croijihdo and Rowo have n very fair chance of coming homo winners. ; IJo\ye js a very f>teady piny or, while Jj.rombie is one of the niost improved players in the club. The Brougham Hill Club. , Brougham Hill Club, having worked off its handicaps, is now, about to deal effectively with its ohampkmships. At lime of writing,' a very interesting ■ match 'lvad been played off in the ladies' singles between Mrs. Hows mid Miss Plimmer, tho former winning G—s, 2—G, G—l. Although Miss.Plimmer.was defeated, she actually woii 0110 moro gamo i hn,u her opponent. T]i« wi'iuer's oxperjeneo stood lior 111 good stefid, while the loser failed moro than onpoi ip a critical p(ace that'might have made all the difference to tho result. Other interesting games will no doubt tako place, but, unless'sojnothing unexpected happens, Hiss Davis should 00 the winner in this event. . ' . , The men's doubles will, course, go to tho invinciblo Hpwo brothers, and H., Howe or J. Hunter should take off the singlo eventf ; Tlio ladies' handicap doubles will rest between Misses Davis and Archer'und Mrs. N. E. Hpwo and Miss Morgan, the .present. holders of the championship.