THE DAVIS CUP

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1920, Page 3

THE DAVIS CUP

THE Bit AW. [BV TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] AUCKLAND, Deo 27. The declaration of teams to represent Australasia and America in the Davis Cup competition final which opens tomorrow at the Domain, was made this

morning. . Brookes, the Australasian captain, • announced that lie and C. L. Patterson would 'bo the defenders r “ u S out, while Hardy, of America declared that America would stand or fall by Tilden and Johnston in both singles ait doubles. , , These announcements were made J the captains this morning at the Grand Hotel to Mr Hugh Thomson, honorary secretary of the Lawn Tennis Associn- ' tion. Mr Thomson thereupon, in tne presence of th captains and the teams * made a draw to decide the order of th matches and the result was Tuesday-Brooks w. Tilden; latterson v. Johnston. Thursday.— Brookes and Patterson v. Tilden and Johnston. Friday—-Brookes v. Johnston; Patterson v. Tilden.

EXCITEMENT IN AUCKLAND,

AUCKLAND, Dec. 27

Auckland is on the tip toe of excitement regarding to-morrow’s matches, and the meeting of Brookes and Tilden must cause a thrill throughout the teiinis world, Brookes has been beaten in singles in Australia often enough o suggest that as a singles player he has passed the zenith of his career but hm defeats occurred over a series of months when he was far from well, and to-day he is in splendid health. Tilden is not likely to underrate Brodkes, for who he has admiration as well as respect. In his book, “The Art of Lawn Tennis Tilden says, “There is no need to dwell on Brookes’s shots. His marvellous mechanical perfection, his peculiar volleying style, his uncanny anticipation they are but the expression of that wonderful brain and dominant personality that lie behind that Splunx-hke face we kneed as Brookes. To see across the net those ever-restless, ever-moving eves, picking the openings in my never too well guarded court, and M against me is pitted the greatest brain of the century is to call upon me to produce niv best.’ P Patterson’s form' is difficult to gauge. Evidently*he has come on considem > since his arrival in Auckland IDs opponents are hound to concentrate on his weak hackand if the vigour of is attack docs not sweep them into a d - • yip has liad Brookes fensive position. He nasm. to coach him, and Brookes says that Patterson’s backhand has improved The influence of the master ian . show itself in the match against Johnston to-morrow. On this pomt Tilden has another illuminating note in book. Immediately after he aa wrested the All England championship from Patterson at AVimhledon thui year, he wrote’: —“Patterson owed much or the success of 1918 to Brookes, under whose guidance he played. The absence „f the master mind directing Ins atta k moved a decided handicap in U2O, and Patterson’s attack-was not so certain nor sustained as in the previous seasom Patterson’s game, plus Brooke. . te E v would be a great combination one man.” This is the most reassuring aspect of the great content. AA iU Brookes in the team a great fight is a. sured.

POSTPONED OWING TO RAIN AUCKLAND, Dec. 28. Owing to steady rain the Davis Cup and first day of the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting has been postponed, tili to-morrow. ENGLISH OPINION. BY TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. “ THE TIMES ” SERVICE. (Received! This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON', December 2/. The “Times” tennis contributor, while favouring its chances, points out America was never fortunate in Australia. If Tilden is all America claims him to be, tlie team should win three out of four singles, sufficient to secure the cup. The choice of Auckland may lie regarded as a posthumous tribute to Wilding. Substituting Brookes in the singles is a surprise, suggesting Australasia thinks the Americans only beatable by head work, and therefore have picked Brookes, the greatest tennis head that ever entered a court. The result may hinge on Patterson’s recovery of. his best form, which was not shown at Wimbledon, where Tilden’s methods made the Australians backhand appear the -worst ever seen on a central court. He will have to devise a method to protest his backhand to reverse the result. Johnston’s English form,' says the Contributor, suggests that Patterson, and perhaps O - Hara Wood may beat him. *'