DAVIS CUP.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1920, Page 5

DAVIS CUP.

| FIRST DAY'S PLAY. WINS BOTH GAMES. TILDEN'S MEMGBABLE DISPLAY. JOHNSTON'S EASY VICTORY. . JSy Telegraph,—Press Association. ! Auckland, Last Night. 1 The first matches in the contest for the Davis Cup between Australasia (holders) and America (challengers) were played to-day in good weather before a large attendance, including the Governor-General and the Premier. Bofore the first game commenced the crowd stood bareheaded for a few seconds —an impressive tribute to the memoir of the late Anthony Wilding. Two singles were played to-day, and both were won by America, who thus has two wing out of five matches. The detailed results of the play are:—

W. T. Tilden (America) beat N. E. Brookes (Australasia) 10—8, fi—i, I—B,1 —8, 6 —4. W. M. Johnston (America) Beat G. ju Patterson (Australasiaj C—3, 6—l, 6—l. TILDEN-BROORES MATCH. Tilden defeated 'Brookes after a. memorable contest. Brookes' net play was brilliant, but his volleying availed nothing against the magnificent hard driving of Tilden. The American served with terrific force, and on numerous occasions left Brookes standing. Brookes lead in the first set 6 —3, and needed only one point to win the set, but Tilden succeeded in winning the game and drew them level. Brookes gained the load again, but Tilden equalised and 8 all was called. Then the American, with irresistible serves and deep drives to the baseline, won the next two games and the set. Tilden secured the next set through preventing Brookes from coming in to volley.

In the third set Tilden temporarily went off, and Brookes early gaining the lead, the American contented himself with lcttfHg the set g<i,

In the fourth set Brookes lod threelove, a,nd caused the American anxious moments. Tilden was equal to the occasion and won the next five games. Brookes won the ninth game, hut the tenth and the<«!match went to Tilden. An instance of Brookes' fine sportsmanship occurred at a critical stage of the fourth set, when he deliberately hit the ball out in order to compensate for a linesman's wrong decision against Tilden. Both players were heartily applauded by the crowd at the end of the match, JOHNSTON-PATTERSON MATCH.

The other match was very disappointing, Johnston Beating Patterson 6—3, o—l, fl—l. Patterson was complete/V at sea against Johnston's forceful and cleverly directed attack, the Australian's backhand particularly failing badly. He got in some terrific serves, but missed numerous easy drives and volleys. Johnston showed himself a master of courtcraft, and completely overwhelmed his opponent.

PLAY OF HIGH STANDARD.

TILDEN'S REMARKABLE GAME. SWIFT TACTICS OVERCOME BROOKES. PATTERSON'S POOR DISPLAY, (By Wire—Special to News.) Auckland, Last Night. The first day's play has gone far towards eliminating Australasia, not merely because America has gained two out of the necessary three victories, but also by reason of the disclosure of the relative standards of the contestants.

Undoubtedly on to-day's play the Americans have established a distinct superiority as single players, Tiklen Deing slightly, but nevertheless unmistakably, too severe for Brookes, whilst Johnston completely outclassed Patterson.

The Tilden-Brookes match furnished a display of world's championship standard at least equal to, if not superior to, many previous world-famous contests. The American is the possessor of a terrific service, combining extraordinary pace with superb placing, and with the ability, moreover, to unloose on occasions a super-service which leaves his opponent standing. In this department Tilden, showed a distinct superiority over Brookes. The other deciding factor in his favor was the great pace and severity of his ground strokes. Brookes, the scientist and strategist, though playing magnificently throughout, ,ind maintainng a higher standard of accuracy and volley playing, was unable to withstand the great speed and severity of the American's ground strokes, Tilden's forehand being of great pace, and his backhand being unique, in that it comprised as extensive a variety of entirely different strokes as the ordinary first-class player can execute on the forehand.

Perhaps the most noteworthy feature of this match was the fact that the volleying game, considered by the best authorities as superior to any other tactics, and although in the hands of its ablest. exponent, Brookes, was today decisively and effectively overcome by clean, hard driving from anywhere and everywhere on the court. In spite of his terrific service, and the initial advantage gained thereby, Tilden rarely if ever followed in to the net, while Brookes, as of yore, fought his way to the volleying position on every possible occasion. Yet even when ho was established in his favorite position he was repeatedly passed by the American's lightning drives, executed from both sides and from any position with equal freedom.

Taken altogether the tennis in this match was such that the great reputation of Norman Brookes, though beaten, has not suffered nor diminished, and it is gratifying to be able to assert positively that his inclusion as one of the singles players in the Australian team has been fully justified. On the other hand the display of Patterson, Australasia's foremost' singles player, was, to say the least of it., disappointing in the extreme. Granting that, he is of the brilliant but erratic school, opt it uiitlad te txgtt} Myworid't

champion to produce, even at his worst, a much higher standard than that displayed to-day. The much heralded "un. playable" service was "so much pie" for Johnston, who smote it for winner* as he chose, while chops and strangely executed backhand drives were treated in the same manner. Here again the Australian rushed the net, whilst the American stayed back, and although the vol%Y«r reached his position he was simply powerless against the American's periectly executed driving. Although his opposition was weik. Johnston's display created a great impression, the opinion 'being freely expressed that he is a sounder player than Tllden. His match against Brookes is, on that account, eagerly awaited This much is certain, that the Australasian captain has a most difficult task ahead.

It is still expected that the Australians will win the doubles to-morrow, End it is conceivable that Brookes will beat Johnston, but the probability of Patterson defeating Tilden is at present extremely remote. RECORDS OF PLAYERS. ' NAMES FAMED IN TENNIS. AUSTRALASIA'S CAPTAIN. 'the outstanding figure among the players is Norman E. Brookes, famous alike for his long record as an inter* national player, and for the calibre of his game. He first represented Victoria in 1806, and from then went on from success to success. Visiting England for the first time in 1905—when with the late Anthony Wilding and A, W. Dunlop he ) Unsuccessfully contested! the pflteliminary rounds of the Davis Cup competition—he created a surprise by annexing the All-comers' Singles at Wimble don. In 1907 Brookes and Wilding first won the cup for Australasia, defeating both America and the British Isles. The same year Brookes was a winner in all three All England championship events at Wimbledon. The cup remained with Australasia for five years, being lost to the British Isles in 19>V2, when J. C. Parke defeated Brookes after a memorable struggle. "Neither Brookes nor Wilding played 'for the cup in 1013, but in 1014 the old .partnership reasserted. itself.''"After .'defeating, Germany and the British Isles in the preliminaries, Brookes and Wilding wrested the' trophy from America ftt Boston. Brookes beat Williams in the singles, but succumbed to MoLoughlin. The war years saw tennis players engaged in sterner work' < than • winning trophies. Brookes served in the eastern theatre, giv|jg up tennis anfc> impairing 'his heaftli by his'! military experiences. ■

Ci. L. PATTERSON. j •, 6. L. Patterson is an illustration of the adage, "Youth will be served." His rise has been rapid. He is probably the most discussed player in first-class tennis to-day. His performances have been brilliant, but not equal in merit. In 1919 he won the All-comers' Championship at Wimbledon, but, returning to Australia, via America, was defeated there by both Tilden and Johnston. He helped to defend the Davis Cup in Sydney last January, defeating A. H. Lowe in the singles on the first day, and, with Brookes, winning the doubles on the second. The third member of the team, J. 0. Anderson, had been beaten by A. R. F. Kingscote on the first day, so that the match was decided on the third day's play. Patterson, defeating Kingscote B—G, after a display of tennis of the highest class, settled the destination of the trophy for another year. Anderson defeate4 Lowe, making the victory doubly secure.

W. T. TILDEN. Of the American team, W. T. Tilden, by winning the All-comers' Championship at Wimbledon in the challenge round from O. L. Patterson, in July of this year, holds the title of champion of the world. On the same visit he was a member of the American Davis Cup team which won the right to play the match commenced yesterday. lii the first tie against Fran'ce he defeated W. H. Laurentz, 4—6, o—2, o—l, 6—3, and with Johnston won the doubles from Goebert and Laurentz, 4—B, 6—2, o—l, o—3. In the second tie against the British Isles Tilden defeated A. E. P. ICingscote, 4—o, C —l, fi—3, 6—l, and J. C. Parke, 6—2, 6—3, 7—5. With Johnston in the doubles he did his part in defeating Parke and Kingscotc, B—o,8 —0, 4—6, 4—6, o—3, 6—2.

WM. JOHNSTON. The career of W. M. Johnston in international fixtures is very similar to that of his team-mate. In the fiavis Cup ties he beat A. H. Goebert (France), 6—3, B—6, 6—3, and aided Tilden to win the doubles. Against the British Isles he defeated Kingscotc, o—3, 4—fl, 3—6, 6—4, 7—5, and Parke, 6—4, o—4, 2—o, 3—o, American Singles Championship, defeating Patterson in a tremendous five-set struggle, and in the final beating Tilden in three straight sets. In the AmericanAustralian teams match at the same tournament he beat Brookes in four sets.

HISTORY OF THE CONTEST.

SOME EXCITING STRUGGLES. AUSTRALASIA'S GOOD BECORD. Symbolising, as it does, world supremacy in lawn tennis, the Davis Cup provides a, meeting-ground for countries which include this game among their pastimes. It has attained a place in international sport far beyond even the wildest dreams of its donor, Dr. Dwight P. Davis, a New York millionaire, and himself a, representative of his country in the contests. The records show that since the United States lost the cup it lias regained possession but once, in 1913, and then only for the brief space of one year. Three times have American teams visited Australasia and failed to recover the trophy. Now a. fourth team is here. What will be its fortune?

It is now 20 years since the first match for the Davis Cup was fought. In 1900, the British Isles played America at Longwood, near Boston, and suffered defeat by three matches to love. In that initial game the British Isles were represented by A. W. Gore, whose remarkable record covers 30 years of first-class tennis, H. Roper Barrett, and E. D. Black. The American team consisted, approximately enough, of DrijSht Davis himself, M. D. Whitman, and Holcombe Ward. These three players took the visitors by surprise with the famous "American service," and it is recorded that the first ball of tha match, Bwlfc torakjj>

Black, whose lot it was to receive it'; was left standing, much to the amusement of the spectators. There wag aa match in 1901, but a year later "the British Isles ■ made another unsuccessful visit, and this even although the re- : doubtable Doherty brothers competed*, winning the doubles after a close match with another pair of brothers, the Wrenna. The Dohertys made another » trip to the United States in 11)03, and • this time they worn successful. For the ,s first time the enp left Americanfnhores. The year 1004 was memorable in the history of the contests,' inasmuch as it- ■, marked the entry of two Continental teams. In .the preliminary roujid" Belgium beat France, but suffered over- ■ whelming defeat by the British Isles in ■' the challenge round. The Dohertys, with < .F L. Risley, proved their superiority by ; winning the match with the loss of "only one set. > 1: i

„v ' ;■ AUSTRALASIA'S DEBUT. Enter Australia and New Zealand! In 1905, Norman E, Brookes, Anthony '' P. Wilding and A. W. Dunlop gave a < sound beating to the Austrian reprcsantatives, who were also making their ! first appearance in Davis Cup matches. ; Brookes had a triumphant passage in 4 the singles, heating R. Kinzl o—o, &—2, and C. von Wesseley 6—o, G—2, ■ 6—2. In combination with Dunlop he also won the doubles "three straight," - Wilding won both his matches with the .: loss of a get in each. Unfortunately America gave the Australasians a taste ' of their own medicine in the finals, winning by 'live matches to love, although Brookes put up a; great fight before striking his colors to 'Seals Wright. The s match went to four sets, the scores f being 12—10, 5—7, 12—10, 6—4. Curiously enough the challenge round saw a ■> ■ third "s—o" match, the British files inflicting a crushing defeat upon the ' Americans, who were regarded as hot - ■ favorites. The doubles match, in which.' i the Dohertys defeated Holcombe Ward and Beab Wright B—lo, 6—2, 6—2, i 4—6, B—o, was described as "one of the most impressive ever seen at Wimble- ■.'• don. .:

The British Isles scored another decisive victory over the United States in 1906, R. F. and H. L. Doherty and S. H., Smith winning every match against H - Ward and R, D. Little. The American champion, BeaU Wright, was unable to ' play owing to his meeting with a serious accident. Australasia was represented by Wilding and the ex-international cricketer, Dr. L. 0. S. Poidevin, an'd made a good fight against America in the preliminary tie. Wilding Won botfc his singles, but Poidevin, who was short of practice, lost his, and the odd match, the doubles, went to the Americans.'

CUP COMES TO AUSTRALASIA. ' T Australasia's year of triumph was 1007. Brookes and Wilding, after 6 close match with America in the preliminary tie had a still close game witii the British Isles in the final. Both contests w?re in doubt until the third day. and in? earii case it was Brookes who made victory secure. Beak Wright and Kbarl Behr won the doubles for America and so did A, W. Gore and H Roper Barrett for the British Isles, botfe matches ending in dramatic fifth sets. Wilding lost one single in each round, his victors 'being Wright and Gore. Brookes proved irresistible and in liU v four singles matches lost only one set and that to Behr. So the Davis Cu» came to Australasia.

The Americans came after it hot-foot. <• In 1908. after defeating England in the 1 preliminary tie. they sent their best . team, consisting of Beals Wright .and . r. B. Alexander, to try to recover the cup. The match was played in Melbourne, and resulted in a memora'. Ic struggle. On the first day Brookes won against Alexander after five long sets i and Wilding, after taking the first set! - lost to Wright. The doubles were won by Brookes and Wilding, 8-4 o—2 6-4. On tho third day Wright after facing apparently hopeless defeat, and- winning. only three games in the lirst two sets| gradually wore down Brookes, and won in a d's-' ' pi-rate fifth set at 12—10. In :he de- ■ ciding match Wilding disposed of Alexander in three straight sets, and the «i cup remained in Australasia. Tho nest ■ " year America again defeated' Eiijtfmd, and sent two promising colts, 3J E Mc Uugtilin and M. H. Long, to Sydney. Brookes and Wilding beat them with the loss of a solitary set. There was no match in 1910.

FIRST MATCH IN NEW ZEALAND.

The first Davis Cup match in New fm* l ' an t. Waa P ,a y ed in ChriatchuMh in JJll. The preliminary tie was wea by America, and W. A. Larncd,' Beals Wright and M. E. McLoughlin ; comprised her team for the challenge round. In the absence of Wilding, Brookes had assoemted with him A. W. Dun lop and K. W. Heath. The defenders won even' match. On the concluding day Wright defaulted to Heath, and the only match played was that between MeLo:igiili» and Brookes, the latter winning m a five-nets "go." 1

After holding the cup for five years Australasia somewhat unexpectedly lost it to the British Isles in 1912. 'j C ifi 6 w ?. 3 ma ' n factor in the Mother Country's triumph, and it is recorded that O. P. Dixon, the British captain, leapt the barrier and ewlwaesd his colleague after his sensational'vlcloiy over Brookes. • The transfer of tluv scene of action to Great Britain resulted in a host of entries in 1913. Australaaia, America, Canada, South Africa, Belgium, France and Germany ail played for the honor of meeting-the holders. America emerged as victor*. beating a weak Australasian team from which Brookes and Wilding were both . absent, and in a closely-fought chal. lenge round defeated tho British Isles. The 1914 match produced a hanmr augury of the sterner struggle to tome, Australasia beating Germany bv five matches to love, losing only one set. This match was only concluded on August 1 and the unfortunate German ■ players, Froitzhcim and Kreuzer, uerfe captured on their way back to Germany and were interned at Gibraltcr. In the challenge round Australasia b\it America by three matches to two, a remarkable feature being a 17-lJ set in which McLoughlin beat Brookes, * < There were no contests during the war years and when it was decided to resume in 1819 tho United States paid a graceful tribute to the war losses of 1 the British and did not make an entry. ■ The challenge match was played in Svd. "•yj"? January, A. R. F King.vite, M ~ , 6 and A. E. Beamish rep-p- , senting the British Isles, and N. E. Brookes, O. L. Patterson and .T. O. Anderson the holders. On the first duv Patterson defeated Lowe and Ar.dwvon , lost to Kingscote. Th e doubles wore w,. n ' l r S T> and , I ! attersori against. Kingscote and Beamish, and the Englishmen < SiJ -fV in sinf!,cs 011 the third 1 mil y 7?®, to takc «><■ a£^i ey t0 do " losinc bßt f ' '