DAVIS CUP.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1920, Page 3

DAVIS CUP.

! THE SINGLES GAAIES. AUSTRALIA AND BRITAIN EACH HAVE ONE AVIN. j ' ITTBTfIAI.IAN ifr N.Z f’AW.K ASSOCIATION SYDNEY, Jan. 16. The first stages of the Davis Cup opened on tlie Double courts to-day in dull sultry weather. There were five thousand spectators, and tlie courts were in perfect order. Paterson won the toss, and commenced brilliantly, with a terrific service. He defeated Lowe in a. love game. The hitter’s delivery appeared weak. Lowe recovered and he won the next three games. His success was principally off ing to Paterson's faults. Then the Australian secured three consecutive games, and lie led 4-3. Lowe then equalised, making in four all but Patterson outclassed his opponent in the next two games and won 6—4.

Lowe won Patterson’s service in tlie opening game of the second set. Patterson by means of low volleys, then gained the advantange and led 2—l. Lowe equalised, but Patterson again forged ahead, and finally beat the Englishman 6—3.

Lowe took the first three games in the third set, in which there were the best rallies of the match. Lowe completely outplayed the Australian in this set, and won, after an exciting “duee” game by 6—2.

i Patterson appearing to benefit by a short interval reversed the order in the fourth set, driving and smashing accurately, lie won the first four games. With the score of 5—2 in Pattersons favour, the eighth game produced a des- . perate struggle, Patterson winning after four duce calls by 6—2. I With the score standing: Australia 1 match, 3 sets, 20 games British Isles 1 set, 15 games—Anderson and Kingscote commenced their match in cooler weather, with rain threatening. The' Australian opened brilliantly and won the first two games, but his service lacked pace, and Kingscote 1 equalised with 2 all. This match was more spectacular than the former one, and created intense excitement, both ■ players being all out. The games went to “five all” but Kingscote outshone the Australian and won 7—5. | The Englishman led throughout the second set. Anderson’s judgment was very faulty. Kingscote, playing carefully making few mistakes won 6—2. j Anderson recovered somewhat in the third set and took the games to four all Kinoscoto’s superiority and cool- ' ness was contrasting with Anderson’s nervous temperament, and enabled the Englishman to win thy sd and t ' u * match by fcj—. . T , , The score* then stood —British Isles 34 games, Australia 31 games.