A Battle of Giants.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 63, 6 July 1914, Page 5

A Battle of Giants.

TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS. BROOKES BEATS WILDING. —".*l [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [UmxEa Press Association.] London, July 5. Brookes beat Wilding 6—4, 6—4, 7—o. There was brilliant weather, and an attendance of ten thousand, including many Australians. Wilding won the toss. He was greatly troubled by the strong sun, and failed with many easy smashes. It was a match of hard driving against scientific volleying. Brookes was almost impenetrable at the net. Wilding after a while abandoned back-line driving, and tried lobbing, at which he was faulty. The Australian’s victory was received with a hurricane of cheers. Brookes in the first set led 4—o, scoring repeatedly with beautiful little push shots just over the net, which Wilding strove in vain to reach. By powerful and finished driving the New Zealander secured the next three games. Brookes led 5 —3, and Wilding was within a point of squaring at 5—4, but Brookes took the set with a netcord stroke. In the second set Wilding obtained the first lead, 3—2, and the match was all square at 4—4. This was a keen struggle, deuce coming repeatedly Even then Wilding nearly saved, picking up from o—4o to 30—40 in the tenth game.

The third set was a battle of giants. Wilding led to 2—o, but let Brookes in by losing his service. The latter had wonderful luck with net cord strokes, though every winning shot was vigorously contested. Wilding led at 3—2. Brookes showed fine judgment in handling the champion’s lobs, many of which fell short. Brookes’ cross-volleys were marvellous, and nonplussed Wilding, who relied on the strength of his drives. Brookes led 4—3, but lost the service from 40—30. Wilding led 5—4, but Brookes squared with the capture of Wilding’s next service. The last game was the most thrilling seen on the court. Brookes led to 30—0, and Wilding squared the account to 30 all. Twice Brookes came within a point of winning the set, and twice Wilding saved. Then he netted a ball, and Brookes clinched the match with an untakable drop—a volley off a swift drive. Brookes’ anticipation of the champion’s returns was masterly. It was the skill of the tactician versus the power of the athlete. Few of the latter’s drives got beyond Brookes. London, July 5.

The Observer says that Brookes’ volleying settled the match. He gave the greatest exposition of tennis to date.

Wilding won the All-England pions'hip in 1910, and successfully staved off H. Roper-Barrett, A. W. Gore and M. E. Loughlin (America) in the following years. Mrs -Lambert-Chambers was champion in 1910 and 1911, and in 1912 retired, on account of accident, in favor of Mrs Larcombe, regaining the championship last year. THE LADIES SINGLES. Mrs Lambert-Chambers beat Mr* Larcombe, 7—5, 6—4. THE DOUBLES. Wilding and Broquedis beat Aitken and Mrs Hannan in the semi-final, 6—3, 4—6.