LAWN TENNIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 309, 28 December 1908, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS.

THE DAVIS CUP. Melbourne, December 24. On the eve of his departure for Europe .Alexander, the American lawa tennis player, expressed the conviction that America will secure the Davis Cup next year. Alexander considers Brookes, Wilding, Dunlop, Parker, Rice, and Heath. are equal to the best six English or American players. Dunlop, he says, is one of the finest doubles players in the world. The secretary of the Lawn Tennis Association thinks that there is no need for anxiety as to next year's Davis Cup in connection with the possibility of New Zealand "cutting the painter/ Challengers must lodge their nominations before March Ist. The Australasian Council does not meet till January Ist, and probably several months will elapse from that date before the matter of New Zealand's suggested breakaway could he arranged through the English Association. The secretary suggests that New Zealand should seek to become a separate nation, not when Australasia holds the cup, but when she has been beaten. THE NELSON TOURNAMENT. By Telegraph.—Pres3 Association. Nelson, Last Night. Following are the results:— Men's Singles.—First round: Prouse beat Weir, 5—7, o—o, B—(i, 4—C, 9—7. Second round: Fisher beat W. Pearse, (I—3, li—4, 7—5; Wilding heat Peacock, o—l, o—o, 6-0. Third round: Wilding beat Harraway, o—l, o—o, o—o. Ladies' Singles.— First round: Miss Wcllwoud beat Miss N. L. Hughes, o—2, o—l. Men's Doubles.—Second round: Quill and Prouse beat Leggatt and Rowley, o—4, 3—o, o—2, 6—4, 9—7; F. Wilding and A. F. Wilding beat Mitchell and De Rose, o—o, o—o, o—o. Ladies' Doubles.—First round: Misses Xumieley and Braithwaitc beat Misses 1L Hughes and N. L. Hughes, 6—3, 6—l; Misses Powdrell and Cray beat Misses Bloxam and Meares, o—o, 6—o; Miss:s Well wood and Travel's ibeat Misses Bock and Batham, 10—8, 4—o, 6—l; Misses Todd and Seed beat Misses Turton and Hannay, o—2, o—2. Third round: Misses Powdrell and Gray beat Misses Nunneley and Braithwaite, 3—o, o—3, o—4. Combined Doubles.—First round: Miss Nunneley and A. F. Wilding beat Miss . Ward and Fisher, o—ft, 7—5; Miss Welhvood and Brown beat Mrs. Goldie ' and Weir, o—4, 7—5. Second round: Miss Braithwaite and Peacock beat Miss Batham and V. D. Bamford, 6-4, 6—4; Miss Powdrell and Parker beat Miss Hughes and J. G. Swainson, 6—o, o—l.