AUSTRALASIA BEATEN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 167, 2 December 1912, Page 5

AUSTRALASIA BEATEN

DAVIS CUP CONTEST. PARKE BEATS TTTCATjT, GREAT ENTHUSIASM. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 1, 5.5 p.m. Melbourne, December 1. The third day's play in the Davis Cup contest for the supremacy of .the world was witnessed by ten thousand people, including the State Governor (Sir John Fuller). The courts were in splendid eondition. Brookes beat Dixon, o—2, o—4, 6—4, and Parke beat Heath, B—3. <i -4, 6—4, the Englishmen thus winning the contest. BROOKES v. DIXO.V. Dixon won the tos, and commenced with double faults. The next three balls Brookes hit out over the back line, but he won the next three and the game. Brookes served and won the .lirst shot, but was beaten by a beautiful crosscourt return. 15-all. Dixon brought the score to 30—15, with a lucky nek corner. Dixon took the m -xt three strokes and the game. He won his service to liueen. Brookes did the same, the scores being 2-all. ° Dixon lost his service game to love, although the lirst point W as contested in a long rally, but eventually he lost tiio ?;nni' hy ;i double fault. Brco!;es followed with a double fault, ' ' but picked up the game, and won to thirty with a perfect serve right across and on the side line. 4—2, Brookes ' leading. Dixon's next serve provided some good rallies, Brookes winning. He next won his service, taking the set to <s—2, the finishing shot being a 1 perfect low volley into the far corner of the court. In the second set Brookes won Dixon's service to fifteen, and then his own, finishing the same with a perfect serve down the middle !me. leaving Dixon standing. Brookes also won the next three, and Dixon won his first game, getting in two fine serves into corners, which were not returned. Brookes took the next service, after advantage to the server had been called, there being some lovely drives. Dixon followed with a good effort, and won his selviee to love, after some exceptionally tine volleying at the net. Brookes lost his service. Dixon pulling up from 40 to 30 against him by some splendid passing shots from difficult positions. Dixon won the next two strokes. 5 —3, Brookes leading. Dixon's service was fiercely contested. He won from 30—-40, at. which stages • Brookes tried to win the set outright by a fierce drive to the ( base line, .which went out. Brookes won his service to fifteen, and the game and the set without incident. , " Beginning the third set, Brookes took Dixon's serve, after dc?ce had' been called, and then lost his own, Dixon wining by two clever loba. I ' , . Dixon took hi» own service after deuce had been ealled trtice; Dixon appeared stronger at this 'stage. The eighth, game was the bsst .contested of the match. Brookes serving, he quickly reached ,30—rlove, when'Dixon, with two rare drives got, to; 30 —30. Brookes left a ball which looked like going out, but it fell on the line. 30—40, Dixon leading. Brookes, by a splendid recovery brought the score to deuce. Deuce was again called, and then 'vantage to server. Dixon made deufcfc again by a . fme slow passing shot. He next bad 'vantage, this being followed, by several more 'vantages to each. Dixon got 'vantage and the game. 4—4. Dixon lobbed persistently and well. Critics opined thht if ha adopthdf similar tactics earlier lie might have troubled Brookes in the first two sets. '' In the next game, Dixon served. Brookes got more pace into lift shots, while Dixon showed some fine overhead work. Brookes got 30—30 from'his own service. They were, magnificent serves, going on the. middle line and breaking away from Dixon. The latter exhibited some fine forehand work. The next two strokes Went to Brookes, who won the set, 6—4, and the match. Brookes was a different player from Thursday. He had more pace and length, while his driving and volleying were true. On his form on the day, Dixon was not a match for him. PARKE v. HEATH. Heath, with the on,us of defending the cup, proved an unworthy trust. He started by-losing his first serve to'ls, Parke getting in a beautiful passing shot when Heath came to the net. Parke Avon his next service to fifteen, there being driving on both sides from the back corner to corner. Heath won ins service to thirty, Parke taking the next game and winning the final ace bv a magnificent Slow passing shot. Parke won the next. 4—l, Parke leading: Heath won two games in succession, and Parke then took the set to 6—3. Heath won tiie first game in the second set by a sensational incident. When \ the score was 'vantage to server, and while a goed rally was going cm, an excited spectator shouted '"Ball!" The ball landed a foot inside the back lirn. Parke, thinking tho umpire had call el did not attempt to take Heath's turn. Heath offered to play, but Park* refused, and was loudly cheered ,!,■> exhibition of sportsmanship. .< Parke easily won the set. o—3. Parke won the next by equally ffne play. 6—4, and tha Britishers won the cup. Heath offered a fine resistance to a better man. There was much enthusiasm at the result. Dixon sprang into the court and embraced and kissed Parke. It is doubtful if any player has shown such consistent excellence as he has in the last four ijiatehes. On present form he is unbeatable. FINAL' SCORES. BRITAIN: ,3 matches, 9 sets, 86 games. AUSTRALASIA: 2 matches. 8 sets, 85 games. ■ THE DAVIS CUP. The Davis Challenge Cup was instituted by the late Dr. Dwight Davis, president of the United States Lawn Tennis Association, in 1900. It is open to any nation having a recognised Lawn Tennis Association. ' Following are the results to date: — Champion Nation. ( Runner-up. 190(>—A«nerie& * British Isles 1901—No match. , 1902—America ' * British Isles 1903—British Isles ■ Anerica 1904—British Isles Belgium 1905 —British Isles 4 mer ' (,a 1906—British Isl ps America 1907—Australasia British Isles 1908—Australasia Aperica 1909—Australasia America 1910—Australasia British Isle? 1911—Australasia ; America "British Tsles. Australasia / Played 13. British lies won 5, Australasia 5, America 2.