THE DAVIS CUP CONTEST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 82, 2 December 1912, Page 5

THE DAVIS CUP CONTEST.

WIN FOR THE ENGLISHMEN. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Melbourne, December 1. The third day’s play in the Davis Cup contest for the supremacy of the world was witnessed by ten thousand people, including the State Governor (Sir John Fuller). The courts were in splendid condition. Brookes boat Dixon, 6—2, 6—l, G—4, and Parke beat Heath, G—3, G 4, 6 1, the Englishmen thus winn ug the contest.

Broßtcs v. Dixon. Dixon won the toss, and commenced with double faults. The next three balls Brookes hit out over the back line, but he won the next three and the game.

Brookes served and won the first shot, but was beaten by a beautiful cross-court .return. 15-all. Dixon brought the score to 30—15, with a lucky net corner. Dixon took the next three strokes and the game. He won his service to fifteen. Brookes did the same, the scores being 2-all. Dixon lost his service game to love, although the first point was contested in the long rally, but eventually he lost the game by a double fault.

Brookes followed with a double fault, but picked up the game, and won to thirty with a perfect serve right across and on the side line. 4—2, Brookes leading. Dixon’s next serve provided some good rallies, Brookes winning. He next won his service, taking the set to 6 —2, the finishing shot being a perfect low volley into the far corner of the court.

In the second set Brookes won Dixon’s service to fifteen, and then his own, finishing the same with a perfect serve down the middle line, leaving Dixon standing. Brookes also won the next three, and Dixon won his first game, getting in two fine serves into corners, which were not returnedBrookes took the next service, after advantage to the server had been called, there'being some lovely drives. Dixon followed with a good effort, and won his service to love, after some exceptionally fine volleying at the net. Brookes lost his service, Dixon pulling up from 40 to 30 against lvm by some splendid passing shots from difficult positions. Dixon won the next two strokes. 5—3, Brookes leading.

Dixon’s service was fiercely contested. He won from 30—40, at which stages Brookes tried to win the set outright by a fierce drive to the base line, which went out. Brookes won his service to fifteen, and the game and the set without incident.

Beginning the third set, Brookes took Dixon’s serve after deuce had been called, and then lost his own, Dixon winning by two clever lobs.

Dixon took bis own service after deuce had been called twice. Dixon appeared stronger at this’ stage. The eighth game was the best contested of the match. Brookes serving, he quickly reached 30—love, when Dixon, with two rare drives got to 30—30. Brookes left a ball which looked like going out, but it fell on the line. 30—40, Dixon 1 leading. Brookes, by a splendid recovery, brought the score to deuce. Deuce was again called, and then ’vantage to server. Dixon made .deuce again by a fine slow passing shot. He next had ’vantage, this being followed by several more ’vantages to each. Dixon got ’vantage and the game. 4— i. Dixon lobbed persistently and well. Critics opined that if he adopted similar tactics earlier he might have troubled Brookes in the first two sets.

In the next game Dixon served. Brookes got more pace into his shots, while Dixon showed some fine overhead work. Brookes got 30—30 from his own service. They were magnificent serves, going on the middle line and breaking away from Dixon. The latter exhibited some fine forehand work. The next two strokes went to Brookes, who won the set, 6—4, and the match.

Brookes was a different player from Thursday. He had more pace and length, while Iris driving and volleying were true. On his form on the day, Dixon was not a match for him. Parke v. Heath.

Heath, with the onus of defending the cup, proved an unworthy trust. He started by losing his first serve to 15, Parke getting in a beautiful passing shot when Heath came to the net.

Parke won his next service to 15, there being driving on both sides from the back corner to corner.

Heath won his service to 30, Parke taking the next game and winning the final ace hy a magnificent slow passing shot.

Parke wop. the next. 4—l, Parke leading. Heath won two games in succession, and Parke then took the set to 6—3. Heath won the first game in the second set by a sensational incident. When the score was ’vantage to server, and wlrie a good rally was geing on, an excited spectator shouted '‘Ball!” The hall landed a foot inside the hack line. Parke, thinking the umpire had called, did not, attempt to take Heath’s return. Heath offer l ed to play, hut Parke refused, and was loudly cheered for his exhibition of sportsmanship. Parke easily won the set. G—3. Parke won the next, hy equally fine play. o—l, and the Britishers wm the enp. Heath offered a line resistance to a hotter'man. There was much enthusiasm at the result. Dixon sprang into the coup and embraced and kissed Parke. If is doubtful if any player' has shown such consistent excellence as ho lias in the last four matches. On present form he is Unbeatable.

Final Scores. Britain: 3 matches, 9sets, 86 game

Australasia: 2 matches, S sets, 85 games, The Davis Cup. The Davis Challenge Cup was instituted by the late Dr Dwight Davis, president of the United States Lawn Tennis Association, in 1900. It is open to any nation having a recognised Lawn Tennis Association. Following are the results to date:— Champion Nation. Runner-up. 1900— America British Isles 1901— No match 1902 America British Isles 1903 British Isles America 1904 British Isles Belgium 1905 British Isles America 1906 British Isles America 1907 Australasia British Isles 1908— Australasia America 1909 Australasia America 1910— -Australasia British Isles 1911— Australasia America 1912 British Isles Australasia Played 13, British Isles won 5, Australasia 5, America 2.