The Davis Cup

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 74, 17 August 1914, Page 4

The Davis Cup

AUSTRALASIAN VICTOR! liS. REGAINED BY AUSTRALASIA. SOM.E GREAT GAMES AT THE CLOSE. ' By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Now York, August 14. Wilding's victory against Williams i* considered so far as cliiineliing the scries feinco many experts regarded it as the (•racial match, in tin; lirst set Wi) Hams scored a commanding lead of i to 1, when lie grew erratic and permitted tlie Australasian to overtaku him by outs and double faults. In iliu later sets Williams seemed to lose both direction and speed. 'Clio first set between McLoughl'b an<! Brookes was a magnificent exhibition. Both were faultless, covering the courts and placing the 'hall like auto matons. The American was unable to break through . his opponents service till Brookes began to tire, 'but after the first set he was much exhausted and lost speed, although his skill remained. Brookes made a desperate stand in the third set until the points were 3 all; then, he gave way. McLoughlin. defeated Brookes in straight sets, after the first set, th«longest in the history* of uhe Davis Cup matches, which ended at 17 —15. The. scores- in the other sets were: <s—3, « —3. Received 16, 5.3 pan. New York, August 14. Wilding defeated Williams in straight sets in the singles, 7—5, 6—2, B—3. MeLouglilin beat Brookes, 17 —IC, *—3, 6—3. Brookes and Wilding defeated McMeLoughlin and Bundy in the doubles, B—3, 8—6,:»-7. New York, August 15. Brookes defeated Williams, ft—l, 6—2, o—B, ii— 3, winning the Cup for Australasia. In the doubles, the first set opened with the Australasians playing finerange shots. Bundy, who also stood up well until the challengers increased their speed, won the set, fighting his way to the net and smashing short lobs. In the second set the Americans strengthened their play with clever smashing, and brought the scores in their favor, 3 —o, -when the pace appeared to become too fast for Bundy. His short lobs were easily placed and killed. Every shot was made off Bundy, but McLoughlin played like a demon single-handed. He made the score six all when the challengers only needed a single point for the set. The third set was characterised by sensational rallies. At seven all the Australians broke through Mc-Loughlin's service, winning the match. In the singles Williams was verv nervous, and Brookes had little trouble, winning 'by steady pipy and letting tiig opponent defeat himself, except in the third set, where Williams, driving more accurately, showed flashes of magnificent form and beautiful placing. Brookes became temporarily demoralised, largely due to the frantic cheering of the crowd, and the frantic efforts to restrain it by the oflbiaki, which were totally unavailing. When Williams won the set they tried to swarm over the court, anil were held hack with difficulty. In the fourth set Williams appeared to feel the strain and .softened his game, endeavoring to play safe and sure/with the result that his strokes had lost zpveil and sting when they got over, and Brookes effected killing'smashes. ' As the points rolled up the American went more ami more to pieces. In the earlier sets Williams missed mar.v placements by inches, but later lie wan"often wild 'McLoughlin beat Wilding, o—2, 6—3, "~f'f l 6 T 2 ' , Tlu> matoil was s l'«'t'acula'r and last, the American nishiii" to the net and smothering his opponent's returns. The Vautifu! .placements incl ong rallies thrilled the spectators. In the third set Wilding greatly improved his form and forced'the paVe so that UeLough m lost control of his stroke. 1 he total points wore: Mclaughlin P] Wilding !*5. '