LAWN TENNIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 148, 9 November 1912, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

ENGLISHMEN'S TOUR. An Australian sub-committee lias drawn up a programme of matches to be played by the English team after the Davis Cup. It is as follows: December 6 and 7 v. New South Wales, at Sydney. December 13 and 14 v. Queensland, at Brisbane. December 18 leave for New Zealand, returning to Australia on January 14, 1913. January 15, play at Strathfleld. January 17 and 18 v. Australia, at Sydney. January 21, play at Dubbo. January 25 and 27, v. Victoria, at Melbourne. January 28 play at Geelong. January 30 leave Adelaide for Perth. February 7 and 8 v. Western Australia, at Perth. February 11, leave Perth for England. THE DAVIS CUP.

CHALLENGERS' PROSPECTS. The personnel of the teams which are to face each other in Melbourne this ' month are now known, England is sending out four men—Messrs Dixon, Beamish, Pai?ke and F. G. Lowe. The chances are that Dixon and Parke will play in the singles, and that Parke and Beamish will be the doubles pair. Australia is almost certain to rely on the same team —Messrs Brookes, Heath and Dunlop—which defended the cup at Christchurch without losing a match. The rubber consists of five ties, three of which must be won if final victory is to be earned. On his form and record of last January, Brookes would have firm support in both his singles (says an exchange), but the fact that each will bring very different weapons into court must not be overlooked. The advantage Brookes will gain by playing on his home court and under familiar climatic conditions need not necessarily be decisive, for the Englishmen will have had nearly a month in Melbourne before the cup matches begin, and steady and systematic practice over that period will reduce and may even remove the handicap. But eveh assuming, as most impartial f observers would, that Australia's cham- j pion wins both his singles, the visiting ' team would have no cause for despair, j Heath's win over Lamed at Christ- j church was not exactly a reflex of rela- 1 tive form in view of the hitter's indispo- j sition, and though Heath beat Dixon at j Nottingham last year, he has certain I weaknesses which, on further acquaint- ■ ance, such a screwd general as Dixon is [ likely to turn to his own advantage, j Parke should beat Heath. His remark-; able turn of speed will enable him to recover the deep forehand drives of the Victorian, and he has all the strokes to pass a volleyer. If England can square the singles, the issue will be decided by the doubles. Most good judges would favor Australia's chances. In Brookes' services they have a great weapon of attack, and in Dunlop's strategical genius and consist-) ent accuracy another valuable factor. Service governs the double game so much that Parke's moderate deliveries and Beamish's tendency to double fault —a defect happily less visible every day —cannot equalise the winning service of Brookes and the sinister service of Dunlop. On the other hand, the English panhas a faster return of service; they pos<sess a greater ability to drive through their opponents and to secure winning positions at the net by the length and strength of their ground shots. Also they may be expected to move quicker and to recover a larger percentage of good lobs. When it comes to matchwinning temperament the Australians are probably a little superior. To sum lip, certain results, not quite anticipated bv current form, must be recorded if England is to win. Australia has beaten better teams than the one she is now required to face. But she has never met a team who will be as physically fit and who have just that blend of experience, youth and subdued zeal calculated to secure a memorable triumph.

The postponed opening of the Park Club's season will take place on Thursday afternoon. \ The Fitzroy Club has made a start with its competitions. The combined handicap doubles are now under way, fourteen couples having entered. Owing to the unseasonable weather the lawns are not yet open for play, but given a; spell of fine weather will be put in use this week or the week following. The New Zealand Association has approved of January 10, 17 and 18 as the dates on which to hold the Taranaki Championship Tournament. It will take place at New Plymouth on the New Plymouth Club's courts. The names of Wallace and Dickie, ot Waverley, have been submitted to the •New Zealand Association for selection m the New Zealand team to play against the English Davis Cup team at Auckland. ~ ~ •! Owing to his Ministerial duties, it was not expected that the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher would take part in any of this year's championship tournaments. It 'is now stated, however, that he may be available to play against the English team, provided, of course, that he finds time for sufficient practice. On the assumption that Fisher would not be available, it has been suggested that the New Zealand team for the test matches should be Peacock and Swanston. of Wellington, and Olliver and Jennings, of Christchurch. No exception can be taken to the first three names, but is an open question as to whether there are not several other players in New Zealand who could successfully challenge Jennings for a position m the team, notably Cox. of Masterton and Wallace, of Taranaki (says the Auckland Herald). Fisher defeated Jennings with something to spare in Hie last m- . orprovineial fixture- Wellington v. Canterburv. Mr. H. M. Gore has been appointed sole selector, and a better appointment could not have been made 1 A telegram has been received b> the Association to the effect that Dickie and Wallace, of Taranaki, wil be available, if required, to play against the Englishnl in the match at Auckland V further information has been received rom the New Zealand Association as to whether Auckland is to have ate match or the proposed mixed match, it Si to be a mixed match, the presence of Dickie and Wallace would increase the Merest immensely, for as a doub e combination it is doubtful if here is anything superior in *ew Zealand.