Brookes Wins

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 39, 6 July 1914, Page 5

Brookes Wins

■WILDING OUTPLAYED BY THE AUSTRALIAN.

TACTICIAN BEATS THE ATHLETE.

BROOKES' MAGNIFICENT NET PLAY

By Cable-Press Association-Copyright Received 6, 12.25 ajn.

x, , , _ London, July 5. Brookes beat Wilding 8-4. fl-4 7_s There was brilliant weather, and an attendance of ten thousand, including many Australians. Wilding won the toss. He was greatly troubled by the strong sun, and failed with manv easv smashes. It was a match of hard dri,-'-"W against scientific' vollevinj. Brookes was almost impenetrable* at *hc net. Wilding after a while abandoned backline driving, and tried lobbing, at which he was faulty. The An strain's victory was received with a hurricane of cheers.

THE FIRST SET. _ Brookes in the first set led 4-0, scor ing repeatedly with beautiful little push shots just over the net, which Wildinc strove in vain to reach. By powerful and finished driving the New Zealaniler secured the next three games. Brookes led 5—3, and Wilding was within u point of squaring at '5-4, but Brookes took the set with a net-cord strok*.

THE SECOND SET. In the second set Wilding ohtained the first lead, 3—2, and the mateh was all square at 4-4. This was a keen struggle, deuce coming repeatedly. Even then Wilding nearly saved, picking up from o—4o to 30—40 in the tenth game. THE THIRD-A BATTLE OF GIANTS.

The third get was a tattle of giants. Wilding led to 2-0, but let Brookeß in by losing his service. The latter had wonderful luck with net cord strokes, ,though every winning shot was vigorously contested. Wilding led at 3—2. Brookes showed fine judgment in handling the champion's lotos, many of which fell short.

Brookes' cross-volleys were arnryetlous, and nonplussed Wilding, who relied on the strength of his drives. Brooke.3 led 4—3, but lost the service from 40— 30. Wilding led 5—4, but Brookes squared with the capture of Wilding's next service.

The last game was the most thrilling seen on the court. Brookes led to 30—0, and Wilding squared the account to 30 all. Twice Brookes came within a point of winning the set, and twice Wilding saved. Then he netted a bail, and Brookes clinched the match with an untakable drop—a volley off a swift drive.

Brookes' anticipation of the champion's returns was masterly. It was tho skill of the tactician - -versus the power of the athlete. Few of the hitter's drives got beyond Brookes. THE LADIES SINGLES. Mrs. Lambert-Chambers beat Mrs. Lareombe, 7—5, 6—4.

THE DOUBLES. Wilding and Broquedis beat Aitken and Mrs. Hannan in the semi-final, B—3, 4-0. VICTORY DUE TO VOLLEYING. Received 6, 12.50 a.m. London, July 3. The Observer says that Brookes' rolleying settled the match. He gave the greatest exposition of tennis to date.

Wilding, won the All-England championship in 1910, and successfully staved off H. Roper-Barrett, A. W. Gore and M. E. Loughlin (America) in the following years.

Mrs. Lambert-Chambers was ehahipion in 1910 and ftll, and in 1912 retired, on account of accident, in favor of Mrs. Larcombo, regaining the championship last Tear.