AUSTRALASIA WINS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 252, 30 November 1909, Page 3

AUSTRALASIA WINS.

THE GREAT TENNIS MATCH.

DOUBLES MATCH WON BY BROOKES

AND WILDI'NG.

TENACIOUS .STRUGGLE.

1 By S!! , r i f reSß Associatioii.-Copyrignt •rh, c ij" *V.!lney. November 21). Ihe hnest dom,l e W me evel . witm , ssctl although the Austral^i^ffii The weather was fine, the sun w»rm and the court m splendid conditio*' There were about 4000 spectators 'i The home team won the toss, but early m the game it was seen that the Americans were m better form than they were i„ the game on Saturday. Brookes and Wilding did not appear to be as' fit as iu the previous displav. The New Zealander's smashing was weak and his driving had not the stin" of the Americans, who excelled in smashes, especially McLauchlin. The home players won points by their experience rather than that they" excelled the Americans in brilliancy. The double play of the latter was a revelation. v lt took 25 g-ames to decide the Hut set, the teams winning alternately till 10 all. Then the Australians' capturca the next two, amid great excitement. Ihe 21st game was love—one to the home players off Brookes' service. In the last game the Americans led 40—15. Australasia drew level, and then McLaughlin served a double fault. Th.; set lasted 42 minutes.

The second set was just as vigorously contested, and each side won its serI vice till the scores were 7 all. Then Wilding won his serve, while McLaughlin failed with his, the set ending o—7 in 38 minutes.

In the third set Australasia scored 3—love before the Americans got a game in. Some beautiful rallies' occurred, ending in the Americans' favor. With the score 4—l, Long carried his serve, ana added another game to the total. Wilding winning the serve next game made it 5—2. •McLaughlin won his game, and the American fought hard in the ninth game. Brilliant play on McLaughlin's part ensued, Long seconding him ably, out the home players carried the point, making the Davis Cup theirs for a further term.

CONDITIONS OF THE CUP.

The Davis Cup international competition was originated by the celebrated American player Mr. Dwight F. Davis, who presented a £2OO silver bowl to b» played for, the first contest takin* place in 1900. Any country is eligible to send a team, but it is laid down in the regulations governing the competition that " Australia, with New Zealand. British South Africa, Canada, India, the TKusU- UJeg,-.»Ei the United. States tot America snail, among others, be regsuflw: as separate nations." The nation which for the time being holds.the championship has the privilege, when challenged, of playing at home, and the preliminary - ! ties are played in the same country. 11 ■ not played elsewhere by "mutual arrangement. PREVIOUS RESULTS. The following are the results of the contests for the Davis Cup to date':— 1000—America beat British Isles, 3—o. 1901—America (unchallenged), w.o. 1902—America beat British Isles, 3—2. 1903—British Tfeles beat America, 4—l. 1904—British Isles beat Belgium, s—o. 1905—'British Isles beat America, s—o. 1908—British Isles beat America, s—o. 1907—Australasia beat British Isles, 3—2 1908—Australasia beat America. 3—2.