THE DAVIS CUP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 167, 2 December 1912, Page 4

THE DAVIS CUP.

No one will begrudge the Britishers their win from Australasia in the lawn tennis world's championship jfchat was decided in Melbourne on Saturday. On their form and play, they richly deserved their success. The breaking down of Australasia's leading player (Brookes) on t,he opening day practically determined the issue, though by winning the doubles on Friday, Australasia nearly retrieved their position. To retain the Cup they had won five years ago, Australasia had to win the remaining two singles matches. The task was no light one, and with such a brilliant player as Parke ranged against a comparatively weak opponent like Heath the result was practically a foregone conclusion. Britain's win may be ascribed to the brilliance of Parke and the collapse of Australasia's champion, Brookes, in the opening match. With the assistance of Wilding, the New Zealander, chiefly to whose services is due Australasia's somewhat lengthy retention of the coveted cup, the result might have been different. Australasia would, it is tolerably certain, have won at least one of the two matches on Thursday. But it is no use speculating on what might have been. "The fact has to be accepted that on form and play, the better team won, and the Englishmen deserve the congratulations that are being showered on them. Australasia, after all, have had a very creditable innings in international tennis, having during the thirteen years the Davis Oup contest has been established, won five times, against Britain's five and America's two, the match not being played one year. The present reverse might do Australia good, just as it ofen does a man who by repeated successes thinks himself invincible, and so is spoilt. What the future will bring forth can only be surmised. That other nations than those which have already taken part in the contests will take their place in future battles for the cup is certain. South Africa, according to one writer, has made so rapid an advance that her early participation in the contests seems assured. Germany could put a very formidable team into the field, and there may be other nations as lightly regarded now as Australasia was a few years ago that before long will have their names engraved upon the Davis Cup.