INTERNATIONAL TENNIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 165, 29 November 1912, Page 5

INTERNATIONAL TENNIS.

THE DAVIS CUP. THE OPENING MATCHES. BREAKDOWN OF THE AUSTRALIANS By Oable—Prase Association—Copyright. Received 28, 11.10 p.m. Melbourne, November 28. There was perfect weather and the tennis courts were in excellent order for the great international event—the Davis Cup contest. The attendance was forty thousand.

Dixon yielded to the persuasion of his colleagues, and decided to play instead of Beamish.

The Englishmen had a fine reception. Parke v. Brookes was the first match, which, however, ended in disappointment for the Australians. Parke won the first three games to love. Parke also took the next, and Brookes the following. Brilliant driving by Parke was cheered, Parke getting to 4—3. Brookes won on his service to love, making it four all. Parke took the set to B—6 amid great cheering. In the thirteenth game, Brookes lost his service, finishing the game with a double fault. In the second set, Brookes showed poorly on the voile)', breaking down repeatedly and failing to find his length. His efforts to do so sent the ball back to the line. This set fell to Parke, who thus got two sets in against him, a feat that had not been done for years with Brookes.

In the third set Brookes was extremely tired when Parke was s—l, but Brookes succeeded in winning the following six games, showing grim determination. The seventh and eight were lost by Parke rather than won by Brookes, In the fourth set Parke won the first game off his service, Brookes netting two returns off easy serves. Brookes won the next game off his own service, after vantage to server had been called eight times. After two all Parke went out with a sequence of four. i Brookes was very tired, being scarcely able to step aside to intercept the ball at the net.

Throughout the match Parke executed perfect drives, either deep down the side

line or across from corner to corner. Such perfect driving had never previously been witnessed here.

After 4-all in the first set, Brookes never looked like winning. He mistimed his balls, and got too many on the wood. Parke was accorded an ovation at th« conclusion of the match. DIXON v. HEATII.

Dixon started serving finely, and won the game on -it. Heath won the last four, Dixon breaking on the service. In the second set, Dixon won the first two and lost his serve in the third, finishing with a double fault. Heath did the same in the next, and the seventh game, which was one of the best of the day, Heath taking it, and the next by fine serving. This made the game 4-all. The ninth game saw some splendid rallies, Dixon winning that and the next and the set.

In the fourth set Dixon took the first two, killing Beautifully weak returns of Heath, who won the third after some fine serving. 4—4. Dixon won the service, his splendid serving and volleving taking Heath's serve to love and" the set, -6—L,

In the third set Dixon won his first two games, Heath taking the third, Dixon winning the next, owing to a poor half volley by Heath. 3—l. Heath made it 3—2 off Dixon's serve, and finishing the game.' Heath won his service to love, nlaking 2—all. Dixon won the next three, pounding Heath's back-hand. Heath won his service to love. A fine uphill fight now ensued. Dixon carried the game to 5—3, the 'vantage server twice failing, a double fault allowing Heath to get out of difficulty and to win. 5—4. " Dixon won the next ofT Heath's service, and the match.

A striking feature of the day's play was the complete breakdown of the Australians' service. In Heath's serving there were nearly as many double faults as first service. There was no sting or length in tlie second ball, which dTxoii punished severely. Both seemed afraid to hit. It was a question rather of a good man playing a better and both playing badly, the difference between the two accounting for the scores. THE SCORES. Parke beat Brookes, B—(s. C—3, 5—7 G—2. Dixon beat Heath, 7—5, o—4, o—4. 6—4. The Britishers have to their credit two rubbers, six.sets, 48 games, and Australia 2 sets, 37 games.

Referring to the Davis Cup prospects, "Austral" of the Referee says:—ln doubles Dunlop, both on his own and as a partner for Brookes, is still a better player than Jones is, and in singles H,oath's performance in Christehurch of defeating Larned, and in England of beating Dixon himself, both warrant indubitably his selection, and give him the justified confidence that is based most firmly on actual performances. As to Brookes' abilities, they save a lot of space by needing no mention. Nothing fresh has occurred as to the Englishmen! They are "spurning delights and living laborious days." Dixon is showing the best form, Beamish the finest style, and the others haven't struck their game. They have plenty of time still. Marsh considers Brookes to he good for him, Dunlop better than ever, and Heath good at times, but not yet consistently so.