THE DAVIS CUP.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 17, 3 January 1912, Page 5

THE DAVIS CUP.

COVETED TROPHY RETAINED BY AUSTRALASIA. FOUR CLOSE SETS PLAYED. (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, January 3. A light shower fell early this morning and an electrical disturbance promised more, but it held off, and at tho time for starting there was a cool and pleasant sou’-west wind blowing across the court. There was again a monster attendance, the 1500 seats at 2s 6d being practically idled long before the time for starting. The amount received in hookings paid all expenses and to spare. It appears that Lamed was suffering from rheumatism yesterday, and strained a tendon in the first set, but his play showed no indication of this. Indeed, he got to his ball with celerity, but it was the weakness of many of his strokes that lost, and, of course, Heath "was admittedly at the top of his form, so it is problematical -how far Larncd’s defeat was attributable to Ids indisposition. < Some competent judges say that Lamed should have given way to McLouglilin in the singles, and certainly the colt’s play to-day made it appear that he would have given a better exhibition against Heath. Iho weather held out to the finish of the match to-day, which only lasted an hour and a half, Australasia lasted well by taking the first set, G —4 ; hut they showed no groat superiority, and it was confidently expected that the match would run into live sets. Wright lost his two first services, but won his third. Brookes and McLouglilin each won their two service games, whilst Dunlop won one and lost one. In the first set there were only a few good rallies, hut the second showed better, play. Each player won on his service until 5 all was called. Then Wright won his, making it 6—5, and Brookes, losing his, gave to the challengers the set, which had lasted 23 minutes as against 14 minutes for the first.

In the third set McLoughlin, Dunl°p, Wright, and Brookes each.won on their service, in this order, and, repeating the performance. 4 all was called, McDoughlin and Dunlop, by each winning their service, made it 5 all, but then Wright lost on his, and Brookes won Ins amb the set at 7—5, the time being 28 minutes. .Tips set showed some beautiful combined play, and the strategy displayed by all the players raised me onlookers to a high pitch of enthusiasm. In the fourth, and what proved to he the last set, McLoughlin won his service, but Dunlop lost his, giving the Americans a lead of 2. Then Wright lost his, and Brookes won his, McLoughlin lost his (for the first time) and Dunlop, winning his, Australasia led by 4 games to 2. Wright then won his and Dunlop losing his, made the score 4 all. Then McLoughlin lost his, the last two strokes going to Australasia by a splendid fence, between the two opponents and a marvellous recovery,' with a scoring shot both by Dunlop, Australasia thus led by. 5 to 4. Then Dunlop, with, his scored a love game, the Americans being quite overwhelmed in this sortie. The match thus went to Australasia, who therefore,retain the Davis Oup. ’ J ; In tlip earlier part" of the match 1 Wright showed great versatility and McLoughlin was quite irrestiblo with his serves and smashes, but the latter’s service lost its severity and ho lost many aces by wild strokes. Dunlop, who had appeared to be the weak link in the quartette in the early part of the match, improved considerably, and in the late stages he made some marvellous recoveries at the net and frequently scored with clever placing and chop volleys. Brookes was the same imperturbable Brookes all through, playing a very safe game, hut yet with enough severity to keep the opposition busy. h'4 Tie and his partner had many warm ’ congratulations on their successful defence of the world’® tennis championship. Mr. F. M. B. Fisher acted as umpire, and some of yesterday’s linesmen having been replaced the unpleasantness about foot faulting was not renewed, and the match progressed to the apparent complete satisfaction of the players. To-day’s sets lasted as follows: First 14min, ‘ second 23min, third 28 min, fourth 22min. Scores:— The Australasian representatives— N. F. Brookes and A. W. Dunlop —defeated the Americans—Beals Wright and M. E. McLoughlin G—4, 5—7, 7—5, G—l. TO-DAY’S MATCHES. The weather looks uncertain for tomcrow, but the fact that the issue is settled will rob the two singles matches of some interest. At the same time, there is considerable speculation as to how Heath will shape against Beals Wright.