THE DAVIS CUP.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1920, Page 5

THE DAVIS CUP.

AUSTRALASIA v. BRITAIN. FIRST DAY'S 4 PLAY. EACH WIN A MATCH. By Telesrn ph.—Press Assn.—Copyricht. Received Jan. 16, 10.5 p m. Sydney, Jan. 1(1. The first stage *of the Davis Cup opened on the Double Bay courts in dull, sultry weather. There were five .thousand spectators, and the courts were in perfect order.

PATTERSON v. LOWE. ' Gerald Patterson (Australasia) won the toss, and commenced brilliantly with a terrific service and defeated A. H. Lowe (British Isles) in a love game- The latter's delivery appeared weak, Lowe recovered and won the next three games, principally owing to Patterson's faults. The Australian then secured three consecutive games and led 4—3. Lowe equalised, and the score was four all, but Patterson outclassed his opponent in the next two games, and won the first set, o—4. • Lowe won Patterson's service in the opening game of the second set. Patterson, by means of low volleys, gained an advantage and led, 2—l. , Lowe equalised, but Patterson again forged ahead and beat the Englishman, fi—3. Lowe took the first three games in the third set, in which there were the best rally's of the match. Lowe completely outplayed the Australian in this set, and won. after an exciting deuce game, fi —2. Patterson appeared to benefit by a short interval, and reversed the order in the fourtli set, driving and smashing accurately. He won the first four games. With the score S—2, in Patterson's favor, the eighth game produced a desperate struggle, Patterson winning after four deuce calls, C—2. The score now stood: Australasia, one match, three, sets, twenty games; British Isles, one set, fifteen games.

ANDERSON v. KINGSCOTE. J. 0. Anderaon (Australasia) and A. F. Kingseote (British Isles) aommenoed their match in cooler weather, with rain threatening. The Australian opened brilliantly and won the first two frames, but his service lacked pace, and Kingscote equalised—two all. The match was more spectacular than the former one, and created intense excitement, both players being all out. The game went to five all, ibnt Kingscote outshone the Australian and won 7—5.

The Englishman led throughout the second set. Anderson's judgment was very faulty. Kingseote was playing carefully, making few mistakes, and won 6—2, Anderson recovered somewhat, in the third set and torik the games to four all. Kinffscote's superiority , and coolness contrasting Anderson's nervous temperament enabled the Englishman to win the set and the match, C —4.

Scores: British Tsles, 34 games; Australasia 31.