DAVIS CUP MATCH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1856, 16 September 1913, Page 11

DAVIS CUP MATCH.

AMERICA'S GREAT WIN, M'LOUGHLIN BRILLIANT. After what the "Daily Mail" describes as "tlie greatest lawn tennis struggle in history," America, on July 28, wrested the Davis Cup from Britain, thanks mainly to tho wonderful jilay at Wimbledon of Mr. M'Loughlin, who outplayed at every point Mr. C. P. Dixon. The Englishman did not win one set, the scores being B—6, 6 —3, 6-2. As Britain had previously lost ono single, and the doubles, Mr. M'Loughlin's victory was all that was needed to win the cup, and the result look much interest from tho last match, between Mr. Parke and Mr. Williams. Tho Irishman won after a fine struggle, 6 2, 5—7, 5—7, 6—l, (i—2, and his success revived tho spirits of tho crowd. Mr. M'Loughlin, according to competent English judges, has never before displayed such power in Britain as ho did on this occasion. After the first set his superiority over Mr. Dixon was manifest in every game. The young American's service shot away out of the reach of the Englishman's racket, scoring point after point with monotonous regularity. The crowd, lost ill admiration, loudly applauded tho American, though there were long intervals of silenco as Britain's chanco of keeping tho cup slipped away. It was a sweltering afternoon—the arena was bright with sunshades, and the women wero fanning themselves vigorously. Mr. Dixon wore & large sun hat, while he faced the sun, and the American played bareheaded, getting in an accurate service even when ho had the strong sunlight in his eyes. Mr. Dixon's Good Start. There were hopes of the Englishman's success in tho first set. Ho served splendidly, made hardly a mistake, and returned the American's sweeping deliveries with confidence. Mr. M'Loughlin was uneasy, and when the score reached five all ho shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. After that ho played ijerfect-tennis. Mr. Dixon could do nothing right. The crowd were silent in the last game, when tho American sent down four terrific services, and won a "love" game. When all was over, Mr. Dixon ran towards his opponent, shook him warmly by the hand, and patted him on tho back. The crowd cheered fervently, but in the majority of faces there was a look of keen disappointment. Mr. H. T. Schmidt, tho umpire of the match between Mr. M'Loughlin and Mr. Dixon, said: "It has been an extraordinarily close fight for tho oup, but I think it very likely that if tho matches wore played again Britain would win. Tile result has been determined by the unaccountablo defeat of Mr. - Barrett and Mr. Dixon in the doubles. At one time thoy s'cemed to have the match in their hands.

"But wo have been fairly and squarely beaten on our own ground, and ivith every circumstanco in our favour. I can't speak too highly of Mr. M'Lougiilin's wonderful all-round display. Not only aro his service and his overhead smashing the finest in the world, but his ground shots are thoroughly sound."

A wonderful performance by Mr. J. C. Parke in beating tho great American player, Mr. M'Loughlin, created sconcs of extraordinary enthusiasm at Wimbledon on the first day of the competition. . Mr. I'arko won by three sets to two (the scores being B—lo,8 —10, 7 —5, 6—4, I—o, 7 —o), and thus turned the tables iii remarkable fashion, for the American had beaten him without the loss of a set in the championship a few weeks before. .. A disappointment for Britain followed Mr. Parke's triumph. Mr. C. P. Dixon was beaten by three sets to two by tho young American Mr. 11. N. Williams) tho scores being B—6,8 —6, 3 —6, 6 —2, I—6, 7 —5. Mr. Dixon's chances Were more fancied than Mr. Parke's, but the Englishman showed poor form. Mr. Parke's Victory. When. Mr. P'arko with a lightning cover-drive made the winning stroke, most of tho great crowd jumped to their feet in their delight, waving hats and handkerchiefs and shouting themselves hoarse. A minute before tliev were holding their breaths, while tho "American fought desperately to tjvoid defeat. Tho Americans in the crowd were buoyed up with hope until the last game of the match. There was the chance that their champion would brine his unrivalled service into play with deadly effect just as tho issuo hung in tho balance. But the effort was not forthcoming. Princess Mary, in a pink frock, witnessed the American pair, Mr. M. E. M'Loughlin and Mr. Haekett, defeat Messrs. Dixon and Roper Barrett in tho doubles. Although the match was a bitter disappointment to tho majority of the great orowd,' the'' Americans had a fine ovation at the finish.

One of tho most vital moments of the match was wlion Britain was leading by two sets to ono and by live games to four in tho fourth sot. Mr. M'Loughlm was serving to Mr. Dixon, and the score was "deuce," with "vantage" to Britain. Ono winning stroko and all would have been over. There was a hushed silence when the ball shot down into the court, to bo flashed back by Mr. Dixon, but not strongly enough to beat tho two Americans, who ran desperately towards tho net and saved tho game. It was a wonderful match, with a feverishly cxcited crowd thrilled by some superlatively brilliant play. Mr. H. T. Schmidt, in describing Britain's defeat, said: "It was the weakness overhead that lost Britain the match. Neither Mr. Barrett nor Mr. Dixon would venture 011 hard smashes to end the rallies. This was in striking contrast to Mr. M'Loughlin's magnificent smashes, whidh' won an enormous number of aces. I have never seen more destructive work overhead. "Mr. M'Louglilin throughout played consistently, which is a great fhing.in a player of iiis brilliancy. His first service, which I don't believe has ever been I equalled, won several games straight off tho reel. Ho had not ono serious lapse throughout the fivo sets. "After the lirst three sets Mr. Hackctt's form was surprising. He had had a 'gruelling' at tho fiands of both the British pair, and this sectns to have done him good, for at tho vital moment he brought a now influenco into tho game. I am especially ghd that the American captain has shown his true form when so much was at stake. His methodical play was a fine foil to the' scintillating work of his partner. ' ' "No player living plays moro with his head than Mr. Barrett, and his uncanny anticipation of his opponent's intentions was very much in evidence in tho rallies. But I think both lie and Mr. Dixon played better in tho final against the German pair. They played too many fancy shots against tho Americans. "Mr. Dixon was serving splendidly. Besides making verv few double faults, he continually scored outright. The prettiest strokes in tho match were his returns of the service with his back hand obliquely across the net. It continually beat both the Americans, and when they could return it they had to half-volley." Full scores:— The Singles.—M. E. M'Longhlin (U.S.A.) lost to J. C Pnrkc (British Isles) (10—8, 5—7, 4—C, (J—l, 5—7) and beat C. P. Dixon (British Isles) (8 —G, G —3, G—2). K. N. Williams (U.S.A.) beat C. P. Dixon (British Isles) (8 —G, 3—G, G —2, I—6, 7 —5) and lost to .1, C. l'arke (British Isles) (2 —(j, 7—5, 7—), •)—6, 2-6). The Doubles.—H. H. HnnkeU aiul M. E. M'Longhlin (U.S.A.) beat H. Roper Barrett and C. P. Dixon (British Isles) (5—7, 6 —l. 2—6, 7—5, 6-4)-