THE DAVIS CUP.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1922, Page 4

THE DAVIS CUP.

AUSTRALIA v. BELGIUM. FIRST TWO SINGLES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Izmdon, June 22. In the preliminary rounds of the Davis Cup Australia met Belgium. The first two singles resulted: — Anderson (Australia) beat Wataoi| (Belgium) 6—2, 6—l, 6—2. Patterson (Australia) beat Washer (Belgium) 6—3, 6—4, 6—4. Washer is a fine player. He recently beat Borotra, the French Davis Cup player. Watson, who beat Colombo at the recent Brussels tournament, is an Irishman by birth, and lias been a resi- G dent for many years in Brussels. His " strokes are strongly reminiscent of J. C. Parke, including his famous Irish drive.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. INTERESTING PLAY. SUPERIORITY OF AUSTRALIANS Received June 23, 5.5 p.m. London, June 22. The Australian Press Association’s Scarborough correspondent says that following three perfect days, the Davis Cup round between Australia and Belgium opened in .cold and showery weather, accompanied ' by a slight drizzle. Consequently there was a' small attendance. Rain fell more heavily as play progressed, and the courts became slippery, despite overnight protection. Patterson began the second set by first set, which was marked by hard hitting, mostly from the base line. There were few notable rallies and little volleying. Patterson began the second set by watching Washer’s service game, and though Washer recovered he won the set by taking a love game on his own service. Washer made the best show in the third set, but Patterson won comfortably. Patterson was more active on his feet throughout, but his back hand drives were not up to his best form. Play had to be adjourned for an hour between the matches owing to heavy rain. The second match was played in fine weather and play was more interesting than the result suggests. Anderson was obviously the stronger player, but Watson, a veteran over forty years off age. contested every point keenly. In consequence there were many fine prolonged rallies. Anderson showed super« iority in length and the accuracy with which he found the base line corners, but Watson made the match good to watch, because he tried for everything, showing a great turn of speed over the court. The Belgian finished the set and the match ingloriously, after fighting hard, by serving a double fault.-* Aus-N.Z. Cable Assn.