LAWN TENNIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 212, 7 March 1914, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

DAVIS CUL' DATKS. ' | iy Cable—Press Association—Copyright ; New York, March 3. The Davis Cup somi-liiiiils must be completed by August 1, and tbe finals by August 8. Tbe first round of tbe Auckland Dunlop Shield contest was completed on Saturday, when Remuera defeated i Devonport. Dr. A. B. McCutcheon and ; K. Duthie represented the winners, and : •H. Robson and Sheriffs the losers. Robson made a good showing against McCutcheon, and for a time seemed likeiy to annex the first set. The Remuera man, however, soon got going, and ran out a victor in two sets straight, 6 —*, 6—3. In the other single match, Sheriffs created a sensation by fully extending the Auckland champion, and with a little luck would probably have won, for on several occasions he was within one stroke of match. Duthie took the first ■et fairly easily, and led s—l in the second, but his opponent had been improving with every game, and by fine side-line driving and judicious lobbing Sherries came with a rush and took the set, B—6. The third set was a battle royal, the game alternating in favor of each player, Duthie ultimately winning *t 12—10. The Remuera man had to call up all his resources to win, and appeared very tired towards the end of the match, for he had previously met McCutcheon in the final of the Remuera ; Club's championship. On the other hand, Sheriffs had also played previously for earlier in the afternoon he assisted his , club in tbe match against West End 11. After the fine display given by Sheriffs one wonders how far he would go if he gave the game even an average amount of attention. Owing to Remuera winning both singles matches the doubles match was not played, as it had no bearing on the final result. McCutcheon avenged his defeat in the Auckland championship by defeating K. Duthie in the final of the Remuera Club's championship by 3 sets to 1. The doctor played the most brilliant tennis right through the match, and there were many who thought the match to be the finest witnessed in Auckland this season, 'hi both vollying and driving McCutcheon was seen at his best, and although Duthio made many fine efforts he was unable to withstand the onslaught of his opponent. Duthie appeared to take too many risks, and sacrificed much for the sake of brilliant shots, which did not always come off. His tendency to volley from the serviceline, with the ball at liis feet, lost him many aces, for he was playing against a man at the top of his form. The score in .McCteheon's favor was: o—2, S—(i. 4—fi, 7—5. This is the first defeat Duthie has suffered this year at tue hands of an Auckland player, and although one likes to see a young player meet with success, Duthie's present defeat will probably be an incentive to him to keep practising, for unless a player is always at the top of his form defeat may come from the most unexpected quarter.—Auckland exchange. According to a local chronicler, A. P. Wilding was the chief attraction at the tennis tournament at Cannes. He was also its chief prize-winner, capturing all three level events, and losing only one set in accomplishing that end. F. i"l. Lowe's match with the New Zealander in the final of the singles was far keener than the scores would suggest--fi—4. It—l, o—2. Both men were at their best, Lowe showing the great improvement which has lately characterised his forehand driving. At first, lacking confidence, he hit all the shots on his right wing too high and too low, with the result that the champion secured a stance for the full-blooded returns. Later, when led 5—2, ho applied top-spin, and crossed Wilding very neatly as the hitter came to the net. .Mwc required only two points to square the set 5 all, and at this stage there seemed every promise of a really close fight. Hut the rapid loss of the first few games in the second set seemed to impress Lowe with the hopelessness of his task. In the. open double. Wilding was partnered by Mr. Craig Diddle, a line, natural player, from Philadelphia. They won. Tu the open mixed doubles Wilding and Mdlle S. l.onglen defeated A. Wallis Mvers and Mrs. Winch (K--3. 0—4.) Mdlle. Lenglen, the fourteen year-old girl whose victory at the Bow site was recorded a week ago, won the singles at Cannes, though Mrs. Winch would have probably have beaten her if stamina had allowed.