LAWN TENNIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 49, 18 July 1914, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

I NOTES AND COM.UKXTS. j | The eyes of the whole law* teanis j world, and the interests of hundreds of f vnsscd mi American court-'. The prcliminary tits of the Ihirlocnth -1 niggle for the now historic Davis Cup are in full sway, and appearancespoin! to the coniesjt proving as exciting and as memorahle as previous ones. England, Ociniany, lieigii in, France, Canada, and Austialia are competing in the 'preliminary lies. Already, England has ,11 •!. and ,1-I':.ited France and ISe.gium, represent:'! ', es of the Old Country being Koper linirett, I'arkeand Mavro'gordato. Next week, Australia will meet Cana-ia. 1 and the winners will meet Germany to j deeide who is to eontest with Britain the honor of playing America, the irej sent holders of the "tup. :' Donated in IiUKI l>v an American. Mr ! Dwight F. Dacis. this "Blue Kibbou'' | of Tennis has created such keen and friendly rivalry between the foremo a players of different nations that, ill. 1 standard of tennis has 'been enormous-)' increased, and its popularity 'lias' ulvanced by leaps ami bounds. ' The three linit contest- were between America and tile British Dies only, the hind "I the donor being viclorious Iwk'.y Britain gaining the third. Then- are doubtless many win, a-I remember the sarcasm of a clover ('.<! coterie when Ausir.'dasia (represented by that great team, lirooks, Wilding, and Dunlop- challenged in 1005 the northern hemisphere representaii-..■.-. They were successful j n this, and Ihe next eontest, but in ]!>o7, Brooks and Wilding astonished the world by 1 ■'- feating America in the Preliminary Tie and then wresting from Ihc Old ((uintry the synvhol of the tennis supremacy I of the world. The American eho'Wi | invaded Australasia in 11)08. but we v j unsuccessful, an experience repeated in 1909, Brocks and Wilding being ap ,arLcntly invincible. In 1011 those three great Americans (Wright, Lamed and [ MeLonghlin), after heating British Isles | in the preliminary, were sent to wrest the trophy from the Southern Cross. Brooks, Dunlop and Heath were the chosen of Australasia, and at Christchurch, New Zealand, on December 20 and 30, 1011, and January 1, 1012. retained possession after a most stirring .contest. But 1012 told another tale, and after being the proud and envied holders of the Cup for five years Australasia had to strike their colors to Britain's [ representatives, from whom America wrested it last year. In the present great tournament the hitherto invincible duo. Brooks and Wilding, are again Australasia's chosen. Dunlop will probably play in the doubles. It is apparent, from the cable news, that these world-famous tennis artists arc in their very best form, and it is with confidence I that Australia and New Zealand antici- I pate the result. The graceful Victorian ! and the imperturbable ilaorilander have l afready sot seal on their fame, and are now at the zenith of their prowess, so that should defeat assail them, their .conquerors will he hailed as conquerors [ ■indeed worthy of honor. |