DAVIS CUP

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 98, 20 January 1920, Page 7

DAVIS CUP

THE DOUBLES CONTEST AUSTRALIANS OUTCLASS BRITISH TEAM iDy Tclcgraph-Prcss Association-Copyright (Itec. January It), 8.2") p.m.) Sydney, January lfl. The second stage of the Davis Cup challenge round was played in dull, sultry weather, but perfect for tennis. The light was excellent, and the court in splendid condition. Seven thousand people assembled in anticipation of a really great doubles contest, but the Australian team proved 100 formidable for the British team. Hrooks, by masterful placing tactics, combined with Patterson's terrific service and smashes, completely outclassed the visitors. King.-eolo commenced serving for the Englishman and created a sensation by foot-faulting live times in the first game. He was also foot-faulted in n later match through swinging his back foot info the court before ho struck the ball.. These faults seemed to upset the balance of the British combination. Beamish appeared particularly weak in boih service :..nl drives, lacking pace and constantly putting tho balls out or into the net. Against tho Australians' forcing tactics lungscote, despite his foot-faults, played nniiv. brilliantly, but neither compared with the local wizards, who won ' tho first, two sets to love.

Tho opening gamo of tho third set proved a most exciting match. On lioaniish's service. Kingscote forced the game with well-placed drives and line net play, the English team securing the first game. The Australians equalised in the second game, ami carried the scores to s—l, when the challengers notched their second game. Kingseolc used every endeavour to stave off defeat, but tho'Austialians' completely out-generailed tho visitors in every department of the game and won tho set G—2.

The'scores now stand: Australasia, two matches, six sets, lorry-nine game-;: British Isle?, one match, four sets, thirtysix games.

Tho destination of Hid Davis Cup now hinges on to-morrow's • singles, when Kingscote meets Patterson, unci T.owo plays Anderson. The visitors require to win both matches to 6ccure the cup.— Press Asm.

DECISION QUICKLY REACHEf) DUE TO BROOKS'S UNMATCHED GENERALSHIP. (Rcc. January 20, 1.5 a.m.) Sydney, January 19. A remarkable and, as far as the spectators were concerned, a somewhat disappointing feature of to-day's tennis was the quickness with which a decision was reached, the play lasting just under forty minutes. The' result was undoubtedly largely due to Brooks's unmatched generalship and finely-judged play., Tho general View of the critics is that ho never proved himself a greater master of the game than to-day. Though there lias been no rain since early morning the weather to-night is threatening, and rain is hanging about. Tho Englishmen still have a fi/iting chance, but the opinion appears to be that unless they display better form than they have so far shown Australasia has a good chance of retaining the cup.— Press Assn.