AUSTRALASIA WINS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2230, 17 August 1914, Page 8

AUSTRALASIA WINS

THE DAVIS CUP

MAGNIFICENT LAWN TENNIS

By Tclcgraph-Prces Associntiou-Copyrigh !■ : (Kce. August IG, 5.5 p.m.) •: : .'■-.''■ New York,' August H. I" tlie challenge mutch for the Davi Cii,p (lawn tcums) Australasia (dial leu'" ers)/'deieatod United' States (holders), an< the. Cup now returns to Australasia, when it was previously held from 1907 iiiili In the singles, A. F. Wilding' (Australasia) defeated E. N. Williams (U.S.A. in straight sets, 7—5, o—2, 'li—B. ' M. M. M'Loughlin (U.S.A.) defeated N B. Brookes (Australasia) in straight sets 17-15, 6-3, fi-3. . • 'i '. N. JO. Brookes (Australasia) defeated '4 N. Williams, (U'.S.A.), G—3. ■ ' \ ■'■;■-.>■' , 'In 'the -doubles, Brookes and ' Wildinu (Australasia) defeated "MT/Otttfilin- and Bundy (If.S'.'A.), &-«,. a-?. ; Wilding's victory against-Williams was considered as clinching ; tho series,' since many experts regarded.it as the .crucial match. In their first set Williams scored and obtained a commanding lead of four to nnc, when he grew erratic, and permitted the Australasian to overtake, him by outi and double faults. In tlio later sets Williams seemed to lose both direction and speed. . ,' The first set between M'Loughlin and Brookes .wns a magnificent exhibition. It was the longest set in the history of tho Davis Cup. Both -were faultless, covering the courts arid-placing the-ball like .automatons.. The American was unable to break through.Jiis opponent's service till Brookes began to:tiro,-but after the.first set tlie latter was much exhausted and lost-his speed, although the skill remained. He made ,a desperate stand at tho third set, until .tho points were three all, when, he gave way. . (Kec. August 17, 0.5 a.m.) . New York, August M. In the doubles/ the first set opened with (he Australians playing fine raugo shots to Bundy, .who also stood up'well, until the challenge's increased their speed, and win'' the set by fighting their way to the net and smashing short lobs'. In the-.sec-ond sot the Americans, strengthened by clever smashing,, brought, tho sctres in their favour to 3—t), when the pace appeared to become too fast for Bundy. His short lobs were easily placed,- and the Australasian killed, every 'shot made by Bundy; but M'Loughlin played like a demon. , Single-handed, lie made it six all, when' the challengers only needed a single point to win the set. The, third =ot was characterised by sensational rallies; At seven all the Australians.broke through, M'Loughlin's service, winning the match. '••■•. , •',.-.• i ■■.■■ - --New York, August 15. In tlie.singles on the third day, Wil T liams, tvas very, nervous, and 'Brookes had little trouble in winning by steady play, letting.liis.opponent defeat himself. In the third set, however, Williams's driving n-as truer, and he showed flashes of mag-' tiiflcent form, placing beautifully. Brookes became temporarily ) demoralised, larfisly hie to tlie frantic cheering of the crowd, irhoin-the officials could not restrain. When Williams won the set the crowd h-ied to swarm over, tlio court, and were lield back with difficulty, -lh the fourth =ct Williams appeared to feel the strain. He softened his game, endeavouring to play safe and surej with tho result that his 'stroke's lost, speed and. sting, and ,vhen they got over Brookes, effected killing smashes. '■ As tlie points,rolled up the. Vmericim 1 went more and more to. pieces, [n the earlier sots Williams missed many rimes' by .inches, and- later his strokes rften tecaluo'wild.v-' ■ ' M'Loughlin beat Wilding, ' 0-2, , G-3, i_6, G—2. The game was spectacular and .the American rushing to, the net awl bothering his opponent's returns and■ ilacing beautifully. There were long ralies, and the spectators wero thrilled.■ In. rh'e third set Wilding greatly improved in -orm, and ! forced V-.tho.. pace, ,so. Hint U'Loughlin lost control. The stroke total if :points was M'Loughlin,'l2l: Wilding, IS-;'":-' --•'■.- - : '•-"■ ''■'■ ■•'.