The Davis Cup.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 159, 4 January 1912, Page 5

The Davis Cup.

UNEXPECTED FINISH. BEALS WRIGHT FORFEITS. BROOKES BEATS McLOUGHLIN. A MAGNIFICENT EXHIBITION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christehurch, Last Night. The Davis Cup meeting of 1912 was brought to a conclusion to-day in a rather unexpected manner. Beals Wright was to have met Heath in the first, singles match, but did not appear, and, after waiting half an hour, the referee announced that owing to an unavoidable hitch Beals Wright would be unable to play. As it was not explained what the hitch was, the officials were reticent, i and all that was known was that Wright was indisposed. The crowd took it very good naturcdly, and were rewarded by seeing, a singles match that they will probably never forget. Of course, Heath scored the singles match by default, and as Brookes defeated McLoughlin the Australians retain the Davis Cup by winning all five matches. The weather was again fine, though a shower during the last set made the ground rather slippery. There was again a big attendance, probably over three thousand being present. To say that the singles match between Brookes and McLoughlin was a magnificent exhibition of high-class tennis, but faintly expresses it. From start to finish it was absolutclv thrilling in its brilliancy. Brookes had his reputation to maintain, and there is little doubt that he was as keen on winning as though the Cup depended on the result, but McLoughlin was at the very height of Ms form. A player of his parts has his on days and off days. He takes all the risks, serving, driving and volleying with sledge-hammer force, and an "on" day finds him a formidable opponent, even to a first-class player like Brookes, and to-day was his day of days. Right through he got in his terrific strokes with marvellous accuracy. Over and l over again he sent down serves that Brookes never touched. Time and again he got in drives both down the side line and across the court that the Victorian never got to, and his volleying and smashing were so powerful and accurate that his opponent was frequently left standing. From this it must not be inferred that the honors were all on one 9ide. The fact that Brookes won the match against such a superb display shows this. The Australian, by stemming such an onslaught, demonstrated more than .anything else could what a great player he is. What he lacked in force of stroke he made up in accuracy and general tactics. His service, though not so severe, was better placed. His driving was almost as powerful, and was far more accurate, whilst nig underhand volleying, which is his chief among many good assets, was absolutely bewitching in its anticipation and correctness of placing. However, after all is said that can be said, there was little difference between the two men on the day's play, and when' McLoughlin in the last set was 3—2, and vantage-in in the sixth game, it will be seen what a narrow escape Brookes had. •From tins on Brookes was steadier and more accurate than ever, whilst McLoughlin failed with a larger proportion of .his shots. It was a great match, and when the winning stroke was made the big audience rose as one person and cheered themselves hoarse with delight. The cheery disposition and bright demeanor of the young American had endeared him to the big audience, and when he left the court he was again enthusiastically cheered. After the big match the court was quickly rolled and/ put in order for a double, and soon Lamed and McLoughlin appeared to meet Brookes and Heath in an exhibition double. Most of the crowd stayed to watch it, but though some very fine play was witnessed it lacked the seriousness of match play. Lamed was unable to get about the court quickly, and as Heath was in great form and Brookes as good as ever the Australians won two sets, <3—3 and <i—2, and the memorable ■ Davis Cup meeting of 1912 was ended. brookes v. Mclaughlin.

First Set.—McLoughlin. opened the service, and got a love game, Brookes failing to return a single serve. Brookes responded with a love game, making 1--all. McLaughlin again won on .his service, Brookes only scoring two aces. Brookes evened it by making the next game with the same margin. 2—all. McLaughlin's service was again irresistible, and Brookes retaliated with a love game. 3—all. From deuce McLoughlin got vantage in the next, but Brookes scored the next three aces, going out of his opponent's service. He won his own service to 30, but McLoughlin then got a love game, making 5—4, but Brookes annexed the set by getting the next game with the loss of only one point. Second Set. Brookes won the first game from his opponent's service, but McLoughlin returned tlie compliment, and. getting a love game from his own service, led at 2—l. He increased it to 3 —l, only losing one ace, and then won his own service after deuce had been called twice. 4—l. Brookes won his own service, and so did McLoughlin, making it 5—2. Brookes won his own service with the loss of only one ace, but then McLoughlin did ditto, making the set G-3. > -

Third Set.—The first game in the next set was stubbornly contested, but the American finally -won with a lovely cross court drive. Brookes equalled the games after deuce had been called, and led'with 2—l. By winning his own service, McLoughlin again drew level on his own service game, but Brookes got the next, only losing one point. 3—2. McLoughlin evened it again, and then by -winning Brookes' service had 4—3. He again won his own service. 5 —3. Brookes did likewise. 5—3 was called. McLaughlin then by brilliant play got a love game from his own service, getting the set. G-3.

Fourth Set.—Brookes won his service after deuce had been called, but McLaughlin only lost one stroke on his, and made it I—all. -Brookes got the next game to 30, and by scoring a love game off McLaughlin's service led 3—l. Each player then lost his service game, only scoring one ace. 4—2. Then each won his service, McLaughlin's being a love game, and 5—3 was called. Brookes ended the set by winning his service to 3—o. Two sets all ,and the excitement was so,intense that onlookers frequently fovpot to applaud good play. Fifth and Final Set—Deuce was called on McLaughlin's service, but the American scored the next two aces, and- led. Brookes equalled, but McLaughlin again seov n d a love game. Deuce was called seven *imes in the next, and McLoughlin ag.!::- 1 scored from his own service, leading 3—2, and again Brookes equalled after four deuces. McLoughlin lost his next service to 3 —o, and Brookes led for the first time. He increased it to 5—3 by losing only one ace off his own serve. McLoughlin got the next game to 3—fl. In the next game McLoughlin got to 3—o, but then Brookes won four aces in succession, and scored the jet, 6—4, and the match. ■' Scores. —Brookes (Australasia) defeated McLoughlin (America), 6—4; 3—6, 1 4—6;'6—3, 6—4. V,,'-' " •

THE CAPTAINS IXTERVIEYVKI). LARNED UNCOMMUNICATIVE.' Christehurch, Last Night. "I think the play generally was well up to the standard of the Davis Cup contests, said Mr. N. Brookes, captain of the Australasian team, to a Press representative to-night. "Personally, I think I played ns well as ever I played, and in the doubles possibly better, and so did Dunlop. I also think that Mclaughlin played better this time than he played in the previous contest by a good bit. Lamed, of course, must have been suffering from some trouble, and we could not judge of his play, having played only one match. Beals Wright had not quite the same vim as he had displayed in his previous match against me in 1908. Still he was very resourceful and should certainly be in the next team. Heath, J think, surpassed expectations. Personally, I thought he had a very fair chance of holding his own. I think the court was. excellent, ami but for the terrible weather we have had, it 'would Wave been as fine a court as ever I played on. The arrangements generally were all that could be wished for, the umpiring was excellent; better I think that I have had in any other Davis Cup match. It would have been better if tarpaulins had been obtained, at least a fortnight ago, for then the court could have been protected at the first sign of rain. It is a great credit to Aimerina to have sent a team, and personally I am sorry for their sakes that they were not successful, although, naturally, I feel very delighted that we have won."

Mr. Brookes added that the next Davis Cup contest would be played in Melbourne, probably at end of November if a challenge was forthcoming. Mr. W. A. Lamed, captain of the , American team, was anything but communicative. "I can't tell you anything you don't know," he declared. '"lf I could I would, but if I said anything it would only be repeating what has already been said and written."

"What did you think of the play generally?" suggested the interviewer. •'Well," replied Mr. Larned, with a shrug, "I have seen better in the Davis Cup contests, and I have seen worse.''* ''When does your party return?" was the next question. "To-morrow night," he replied. "We are leaving by the boat for the north, so good-bye."

TEAMS ENTERTAINED.

OPINIONS OF THE SECRETARY.

Christehurch, Last Night. The competing teams in the Davis Cup were entertained at Coker's Hotel at dinner by the Lawn Tennis Association of Australasia to-night, Mr. Wm. Goss, president of the Canterbury Association, presiding. An apology was made % for the absence of the Governor, who ' left Christehurch in response to an urgent call to Wellington on political business.

A of toasts were honored, including the American team, Australian and New Zealand teams, the donor of the cup, and lawn tennis. Mr. Ekks\' secretary of the Australasian Association, in an interview, said the contest "was wel| contested, but unapproached that played in Melbourne in ISOB. In his opinion McLougMin played easily best (both singles and) doubles) for the challengers. Undoubtedly Larned made a serious mistake in not playing Mclaughlin in the first round of the singles, seeing he (Lamed) was uiinit, physically, for such a strenuous contest as the Davis Cup matches always produce. He paid a high tribute to the , magnificent performance of the Australasian representatives, especially their, master of court craft, Norman Brookes; Mr. Hicks added that he was not in a position to state where the contest foi the Davis Cup would be played, but he personally considered that there were only two places in Australia or New Zealand where it could be played, namely, Melbourne or Sydney. As to what nations , would challenge for the next contest, he was not at present in a, position to prognosticate. Entries would have to reach him not later than the first Monday in' March next. South Africa challenged for the contest just concluded, and he said that he would not be astonished jf he received another challenge from the same quarter for the next contest. England was also another likely competitor* and he hoped tha-t America would again be a starter. As the representative of the Australasian Association he would like to publicly express his council's, sympathy with Lamed at the unfortunate circumstance which quite pwcrudWfJhmi showing the form for -which he is noted, and therefore minimised the chances of his team lifting the cup.

ENGLISH PRESS NOTICE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received i 3, 0.30 p,m. , London, January 3. The Westminster Gazette states that Brookes' victory might have been anticipated, but fails to understand Larned's defeat. SYDNEY PRi& COMMENTS. Sydney* January 3. The Herald, afteKi payhi j a tribute to the Australian plawrs, says:—"To Brookes special thanks arig <ue. Through his skill and close study we gained and , kept the Davis Chip.' He revealed possibilities hitherto unthoughtj ou, and has shown Ms countrymen an example of how the double and rare gifts of brain, nancKand eye, with unflagging resolution can succeed." , s .The Telegraph says:—"The victory is; wholly a triumph for Australian tennis,' since the successful plftyeVs all belong . to the ■ Commonwealth. The team is called Australasian because Wilding was associated in former contest?. 1 '