TENNIS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2362, 1 December 1908, Page 5

TENNIS.

THE DAVIS CUP

WON BY AUSTRALASIA

BRILLIANT PLAY BY WILDING

United Press Association. Copyright (Received Nov. 30. 5.45 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Nov. 30. Brookes, playing against Wright, won two out of the first three sets, 60—. 6—3, 7—5. (Received Nov. 30., 7.10 p.m.) Wright won the last two sets, beating Brookes. (Received Nov. 30, 7.59 p.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 30. Wilding beat Alexander, o—3, 6—4. G—l. and retains the cup. (Received Dec. 1. 1.10 a.m. No details of the Brookes-Wright match are to hand. The Melbourne telegraph lines are all behind. The Avcathor ivas fine and hot, and the attendance exceptionally large. Excitement rose to fever heat AA’lien Wilding made the winning shot. Wright, interviewed, said that there had been fine play throughout. The contest had been of the highest standard of any lie had taken part in. It Avas the closest contest that had ever been, and the first time in history that the cup match has gone to a fifth set.

Alexander declared that W'ilding Avas too good for him. He Avas too tired to be intervieAA'ed.

Wilding, avlio Avas carried off the court shoulder high, said that- when Wright defeated Brookes lie fully expected an American Avin, and thought that Alexander would beat, after his slioAving against Brookes, but lie did not play nearly so Avell. The tennis all through Avas infinitely better than in the 'Wimbledon contest, and it Avas the best Davis Cup match he had over knoAvn.

THE WILDING -A LENANDER MATCH.

(Received Dec. 1, 1.23 a.m.)

SYDNEY, Nov. 30. With everything depending on the result, the croAvd . Avatched in expectant silence. Wilding began as though free from care. He carried oil the first tAVO games, and, after losing the third., established a good lead of .four to one. From this the American never recovered, tlio set going to Wilding at 6 —3. It Avas bright, straight-hitting tennis, AAdtli an element' of freshness iu it that had been, lacking in the final stages of the pro-) vious matches. In the second sot Wilding continued to play a fine game for liis side. He led at 2—l, and subsequently at 4—3, then, taking his oaa’ll sei'A'icc to love, was ahead at 5 3. Every shot was applauded, and the game was watched Avitli tense interest. Alexander pulled up splendidly, but Wilding was not to be denied,* and going on pulled off the set a t 6—4. The third set was. all 'Wildings. It was not fill lie got up to 4---U that the public secerned to be fired Avitli tlio idea that lie'must Avinr Alexander won bis serve at 4—l, but Wilding Avenb right on, taking his own service and then Alexander’s, eventually AA’inning the match and the cup amid inuiicpse cheering.