TENNIS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1931, Page 6

TENNIS

DAVIS CUP. BRITAIN V. FRANCE. United Dress Association—-By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. J PARIS, July 24. F. Perry (Britain) defeated J. Borotra (France) 4/6, 10/6, 6/0, 4/6, 6/4. Britain has cause for satisfaction with the first day’s Davis Cup result. Not a single French writer gave Perry' a change of winning any match. Austin, ■fought valiantly against Cocliet, and gave of his best. He captured the first set after the Frenchman led 3/1, he winning five successive games. The 'hfarathon shroud was Austin’s undoing He held the ascendency to 5/1, by superb play. , Then he lapsed. Cocliet led for the first time on the eighteenth game;. Thereafter it was plain that ■Austin had not the stamina to last out tlie course. Englishmen placed higher hopes on Austin than Perry’s chances. Their hearts went to their hoots when Borotra took his fir-st set, hut Perry set lus teeth and fought every point maintaining such pace that it was an exhaust--ed-Burotra who lost the third to love. The last set was a real thriller, Borotra vainly trying to overcome Perry’s long driving game!' Tlie Englishman fought like a- tiger and thoroughly deserved his victory. _ • __ ' FRENCH WIN DOUBLES. PARIS, July 25. .In . the, Davis Cup doubles, Cocliet and Brugnon (France) defeated Hughes arid'Kingsley (England) 6/1, 5/7, '6/3, 8/6. DOUBLES AT TOP SPEED.. PARIS, July 25. The Davis Cup doubles were almost as exciting as the singles, being played mostly at top speed. The Frenchmen dominated the first set, Kingsley being nervous. Brugnoii’s placing of the return service between the Englishmen was marvellous. Cocliet was calm and regular, effacing himself' for his partner’s benefit when Hie latter was playing well. Hughes was host in tlie second set. Ho served vigorously, and directed his returns cleverly He played closer to his net than ,the. others and smashed wonderfully. Cocliet let himself go in the third set Mvlicn he realised tlie necessity of a speedy win; The fourth set was remarkable, the Englishmen winning most of the points by smashes, but Brugnon’s persistence in placing down the centre scored repeatedly. LONDON, July 26. The Davis Cup doubles were played on a treacherous surface, following a . heavy storm half an hour before the lstart The Englishmen were not so weak as the score suggests. At least a dozen time_s_ they. led. .40/15,. hut the ..cloggedness of .the Frenchmen pulled, Tip deuce: ' Britam'- must Avin h.dth of to-day’s singles in order to win' tho Cup. RETAINED BY FRANCE. ■ (Received this/ day at 9.25 a.ni) ~ L.. PARIS.- July. 26, In the Davis cup matches Austin heat Borotra 7/5, 6/3, 3/6. 7/5,. Cocliet beat Perry 6/4, 1/6, 9/7. 6/3. France therefore retains the Cup.