Big Tennis Meeting

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 157, 2 January 1912, Page 5

Big Tennis Meeting

THE DAVIS GUP. AUSTRALIANS BEAT AMERICANS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The Davis Cup- competition, this much talked of event, was commenced at Lancaster Park ,to-day in the preaeno# of some 3600 spectators. The matches were Brookes v. Wright, and. Heathi v. Lamed. The former match, produced tennis such as has never before been seen in New ZeaJand, but Brookes' magnificent volleying enabled him to defeat Wright, by three sets to one. Heath, the Australian, was not expected to seriously dispute Larnedte play, but, to the amazement of everyone, he defeated the American by the same margin, as Brookes had won by, namely, three sets to one. Scores:— N. E. Brookes (Australasia) defeated Beals Wright (America), o—3, 8—6," 6—3, 6—3. R. W. Heath (Australasia) defeated W. A. Larned (America), 2—6, 6—l, 7—5, 6—2.

Writing of the contest for the Davis Oup, Dr. L. 0. S. Poidevin (who is in the front rank of tennis players in Australia) wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald as follows:

"The Cup's destination in the immediate future will be decided by this match, for which America, as the challenging nation, has sent W. A. Lamed (champion of the United States), Beala - Wright, and Maurice E. McLoughlin; whilst jii defence Norman E. Brookes, Rod Heath, A. W. Duiilop, and Horace Rice have travelled over to' the New ; Zealand - rendezvous. Incidental to the match itself, but even more interesting to followers of the game, will be the settlement of the much-discussed question as to which is the 'better player, Norman Brookes or William Larned, for with all due deference to the All-England champion, Anthofly Wilding, these two champions respectively of Australia and America are the .recognised, leaders of the game to-day. They have met before, and in a Davis Cup contest. It' was in 1905, at Queen's Chub. Larned won in three straight sets with a score of 14—12, 6—o, 6—3, That result would seem conclusive enough, were it not for the fact that at that time Brookes, though well up the ladder of'excellence, did not reach the topmost rung till two years later. It has to be written of Larned, however, that his game 'also has greatly improved since then. True, he had already won the National Championship of America in 1001 and 1902 (defeating the late R. F. Doherty in the challenge round), but owing to a marked inconsistency in his form, he was unable to hold it. With his game at that time it was "neck or nothing," he won or he lost on his own good or poor play. In his matches the "rests'* were usually short, ?ind 'were ended' by a brilliant . pass or short, sharp volley that brought the.crowdi to its feet in a Durst of applause. As I saw him in 1906 he was a .brilliant player, hitting hard all the. time, and getting great pace on the ball with very little effort. He was willing to take the net position at every' opportunity, and _ was especially quick .jflufoi* ' lowing up his good long drives, and when there he either won the point or ,loßt it in an extraordinarily short space of time. But he was erratic; he had his "off" days. He either placed wonderfully well or very poorly; his play was never mediocre. Of course, he "carried the crowd with him," always keeping it in a state of excitement from the first point to the last; it was impossible to watch Lamed without becoming en* thusiastic. That, was the Larned, who, right "on his game," beat Brookes in lliua; it is a modified Larned who wiU endeavor to do so again next week. At the sacrifice> perhaps, ,of some of hie brilliancy,-Iris form has gained in steadiness and reliability, so that without .interruption he has won and defended the championship of America for the last five years. At great personal inconvenience, but with laudable courage and enthusiasm, lie has come to New Zealand to do his best to win for his oountry the title of "champion nation,* 1 and for himself that of the world's chainpion'ship. J ; : THE HOPE OF AUSTRALIA. : 'His rival, Norman' Brookes, is a shyer of quite a different school; delicacy of touch, finesse, and istrategy find prominent place in hiß armament. He does eveiything on the court so quietly and unobtrusively, and With the measured accuracy of an artistic draftsman sure of himself and his ability, that t&e excellence of his play stands a risk, of passing unappreciated. He is a tactician, a deep and observant thinker onihe court, a monument bf imperturbability and determination. Less robust in physique th*ni> the American, he is bound to be, by so much, at a disadvantage' il this strenuous encounter runa .a ;sro- - tracteci course. It would be, idle and the merest speculation to suggest the probable Victor when they meet. Past per* forwancea favor Larned, rectal font ' proves nothing. One thjng, however., seems quite certain,, viz., that' no ttiatcn hae been fraught with'greater or mora, widespread interest for many yeais, none whose mult carries such ''canoe. WHO WILL WIN Tift! OUP?

Aparfc from all else, it may mean tip .■ropning or losing of the Cup. Aa, yot :tpie trains are not finally chosen.. In all Iprobafctllty Beads Wright will help Leuv a$ ia the singles, while Rod HeflAh playe "second string" to Brookes.' In the a good deal more doubt ex* Jats as to the "pairing"; probably Wright and McLaughlin will play for Ame»wa, and Brookes with Duivlop for Auetrol'aaia. On pamper, it looks as though 'America must win at least three out df the five contests. It is no dlspianagement to Heath to. say that lie has yet to prove his right to be reckoned in th» same class with. Larned and Wiight in the singles. Here is his chance, however, and if lie accepts ij;, so much the better for Australasia. Brookes luas been beatem in. Davis Cup .contests by .both Larned and Beals Wright (twice, though by very smaill margins, in favor of Wright, in the two latter cases, as the score* show:—10—10, 5-7, 128—10, 0-4; at Queen's uub in 1005; andO-O, 3—A, 7—5, <5—2,12r-10, at Melbourne, in 1608. Now is his chance, too, to reverse them results, and if ever a man meant to. do hie _very utmost iij preparation' for albid achievement of an object that man is Norman Brooke® this time. May victory resit with the deserving."