THE DAVIS CUP.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 18, 4 January 1912, Page 5

THE DAVIS CUP.

CONTEST CLOSES IN UNEXPECTED MANNER. WRIGHT FORFEITS: BROOKES beats McLoughlin. A MAGNIFICENT EXHIBITION. (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, January 3.

The Davis Cup meeting of 1912 was brought to u conclusion to-day in a rather unexpected manner. Deals Wright was to have met Heath in the first singles match, but did not appear, and, after waiting half an hour, the referee announced tiiat owing to an unavoidable hitch Deals Wright would be unable to play. As it was not explained what the hitch was, the officials were reticent, and all that was known was that Wright was indisposed. The crowd took it very goodnaturedly, and were rewarded by seeing a singles match that they will probably never forget. Of course, Heath scored the singles match by default, and as Brookes defeated McLoughlin, the Australians retain the Davis Cup by winning all five matches. The weatner was again fine, though a shower during the'tast set made the ground rather slippery. There was again a big attendance, probably over three thousand being present. To say that the singles match between Brookes and McLoughlin was a magnificent exhibition of high-class tennis, but faintly expresses it. From start to finish it was absolutely thrilling in its brilliancy. Brookes had his reputation to maintain, and there is little doubt that he was as keen on winning as though the Cup depended on the result, but McLoughlin was at the very height of his form. A player of his parts has his on days and off days. He takes all the risks, serving, driving, and volleying with sledgehammer force, and an “on” day finds him a formidable opponent, even to a first-class player like Brookes, and today was lus day of days. Right through he got in his terrific strokes with marvellous accuracy. Over and over again ho sent down serves that Brookes never touched. Time and again ho got in drives both down the side line and across the court that the Victorian never got to, and his volleying and smashing were so powerful and accurate that his opponent was frequently left standing. From this it must not be inferred that the honours were all on one side. The fact that Brookes won the match against such a superb d’splay shows this. The Australian, by stemming such an onslaught, demonstrated more than anything else could what a great player he is. What he lacked in force of stroke ho made up in accuracy and general tactics. His service, though not so severe, was better placed. His driving was almost as powerful, and was far more accurate, whilst his underhand volleying, which is his chief among many good assets, was absolutely bewitching in its anticipation and correctness of placing. However, after all is said that can be said, there was little difference between the two men on the day’s play, and when McLoughlin in the last sot was 13—2, and vantage-in in the sixth game, it will be seen what a narrow escape Brookes had. From this on Brookes was steadier and more "accurate than ever, whilst McLoughlin failed with a larger proportion of his shots. It was a great matqh, and when the winning stroke was made the big audience rose as one person and cheered themselves hoarse with delight l . The cheery disposition and bright demeanour of the young American had endeared him to the big audience, and when ho left the court he was again enthusiastically cheered. After the big match the court was quickly rolled and put in order for a double, and soon Lamed and McLoughlin appeared to meet Brookes and Heath in an exhibition double. Most of the crowd stayed to watch it, hut though some very fine play was witnessed it lacked the seriousness of match play. Lamed was unablq to got about the court quickly, and as Heath was in great form and Brookes as good as ever the Australians woii two sets, G—3 and 6 —2, and the memorable .Davis Cup meeting of 1912 was ended. Brookes v. McLoughlin. First Set.—McLoughlin opened the service, and got a love game, Brookes failing to return a single serve. Brookes responded with a love game, making 1 all. McLoughlin again won on his service, Brookes only scoring two aces. Brookes evened it my making the next game with the same margin —2 all. McLoughlin’s service was again irresistible, and Brookes retaliated with a love game—3 all. From deuce McLoughlin got vantage in the next, but Brookes scored the next three aces, going out of his opponent’s service. He won his own service to 30, but McLoughlin then got a love game, making 5—4, but Brookes annexed the set by getting the next game with the loss of only one point. Second Set.—Brookes won the first game from his opponent’s service, but McLoughlin returned the compliment, and, getting a love game from his own service, led at 2—l. He increased it to 3—l, only losing one ace, and then won his own service after deuce had been called twice—l—l. Brookes won his own service, and so did McLoughlin, making it 5—2. Brookes won his own service with the loss of only one ace, hut then McLoughlin did ditto, making the set 6—3. Third Sot.—The first game in the next set was stubbornly contested, but the American finally won with a lovely cross court drive. Brookes equalled the games after douce had been called, and led with 2—l. By winning his own service, McLoughlin again drew level on his own service game, but Brookes got the next, only losing one point—3—2. McLoughlin evened it again, and then by winning Brookes’ service had 4—3. * He again won h : s own service—s—3. Brookes did likewise—s—3 was called. McLoughlin then, by brilliant play, got a love game from his own service, getting the set—G—3. Fourth Set.—Brookes won his service after deuce had been called, but McLoughlin only lost one stroke on his, and made it 1 all. Brookes got the next game to 30, and by scoring a love game off McLoughlin’s service led—3 —l. Each player then lost Ids service game, only scoring one ace—4—2. Then eacli won his service, McLoughlin’s being a love game, and 5—3 was called. Brookes ended the set by winning his service to 3—o. Two sets all; and the excitement was so intense that onlookers frequently forgot to applaud good play. Fifth and Final Set.—Douce was called on McLoughlin’s service, but flic American scored the next two aces, and led. Brookes equalled, but McLoughlin again scored a love game. Deuce was called seven times in the next, and McLoughlin again scored from his own service, leading 3—2, and again Brookes equalled after four deuces. McLoughlin lost his next service to 3—o, and Brookes led for the first time. Ho increased it to 5—3 by losing only one ace off his own serve. McLoughlin got the next game to 3—o. In the next game McLoughlin got to 3—o, but Brookes won four aces

|. ;m succession, and scored the set— G—l, and the match. Scores.—Brookes (Australasia) defeated McLoughlin (America), (3—4, 3—6, 4—G, 6—3, o—4.

INTERVIEWS WITH THE CAPTAINS OF THE TEAMS.

LAR NED UNCOMMUNICATIVE,

Christchurch, January 3. V “I think the play generally was wejl up to the standard of the flavis Cup contests,” said Mr. N. Brookes, captain of the Australasian team, to a “Press” representative to-night. “Personally, I think 1 played as well as ever I played, and m the double possibly better, and so did Dunlop. I also thing the McLoughlin played better this time than he played in the previous contest by a good bit. Lamed* of course, must have been suffering from some trouble, and- we could not judge of his play, having played only one match. Beals Wright had not quite the same vim as he had displayed in his previous match against me in 1908. Still, ho was very resourceful, and should certainly be in the next team. Heath, I think, surpassed expectations. Personally, I thought he had a very fair chance of holding iiis own. I think the court was excellent, and but for the terrible weather we have had, it would have been as fine a court as ever I played on. The arrangements generally were all tiiat could be wished for, the umpiring was excellent; better, I think, tnan I have had in any other Davis Cup match. It would have been better if tarpaulins had 'been obtained, at least a fortnight ago, for then the court could have been protected at the first sign of rain. It is a great credit to America to have sent a team, and personally I am sorry for their sakes that they were not successful, although, naturally, I feel very delighted that we have won.” Mr. Brookes added that the next Davis Cup contest would be played in Melbourne, probably at the end of November, if a challenge was forthcoming-

Mr. W. A. Lamed, captain of the American team, was anything but communicative. “T can’t tell yoil anything you don’t know,” he declared. “If I could I would., but if I said anything it would only bo repeating what has already been said and written.” r ’ “What did you think of the play generally?” suggested the interviewer. “Well,” replied Mr. Lamed, with i shrug, “I have, seen better in the Davis Cnp contests, and I have seeil worse.” '

“AVhen does your party returp?” was the next question. ' - “To-morrow' night,” ho replied. “We are leaving by the boat for the north, so good-bye.” b

THE TWO TEAMS ENTERTAINED AT DINNER. -. 'r. SOME POSSIBLE CHALLENGER. Christchurch, January .3..The competing teams' in! the,: DdyTs Cup were entertained at' OoJffjis’itlotel at_ dinner by the 4’?“ sociation of Australasia to-pigbt',- My, Win. Goss, president of 'the bury Association, presiding’. Ail, apology was made for the absence of, th'b. Governor,--who left Ohrißtchurch'aii response to an urgent call to Wellington on political business,' ' ,-r ! A number of toasts wore honoured, including the- American tejyptf ' Australian and New ZealapdHearns, the donor of the cup, and lawn tennis: 1 ".- , Mr. Hicks, secretary of thp,'Australasian Association, in ah interview, said the contest was well contested, but unapproached that played 'in Melbourne in 1908. In his opinion • McLoughlin played easily best (both singles and doubles) for the challengers. Undoubtedly Larne.d made a serious mistake in not playing McLoughlin in the first round of the "singles, seeing he (Lamed) was unfit physically for such a strenuous contest as the Davis Cup matches always produce. He paid a high tribute to the magnificent performance of the Australasian representatives, especially their' master ‘of court craft, Norman Brookes, : , ) Mr. Hicks added that he was not in a position to state where the contest for the Davis Cup would be played, but he personally considered that there were only two places in Australia or New Zealand where it could be played namely, Melbourne or Sydney. As to what nations would challenge for the next contest, he was not at present in a position to prognosticate. Entries would have to reach him not later than the first Monday in March next. South Africa challenged for the contest just concluded, and he said that ho would not bo astonished if he received another challenge from the same quarter for the next -contest. England was also another likely competitor, and he hoped that ; America would again lie a starter. As the representative of the Australasian Association ho would like to publicly express his council’s sympathy with Earned at the unfortunate circumstance' which quite precluded him showing' the form for which he is noted, and therefore minimised the chances of his team lifting the cnp. ENGLISH PRESS COMMENT. . London, January 3. 1 The “Westminster Gazette”, states that Brookes’ victory might have been anticipated, but fails to understand Larned’s defeat.