THE DAVIS CUP.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1922, Page 5

THE DAVIS CUP.

OPENING OF SEMI-FINAL. AUSTRALIA v. FRANCE. THE FIRST SINGLES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. New York, August 10. In the first match of the preliminary contest between Australia and France, at Boston, for the Davis Cup, Patterson (Australia) defeated Gobert (France) 4—6, 3—6, 6—3, 6—2, 6—3. ! In the first set Gobert showed remarkable skill, clearly outplaying his opponent, and in the second met equal success. His placing was quite uncanny, while Patterson sent most of his drives into the net. This, however, was the end of his success. In the next set the Frenchman still showed speed and precision. The Australian won the first two games and then the last three by excellent play. In the next Patterson was at his best, playing like a whirlwind, and scored the last four games off the reel in quick succession. In the fifth set Gobert won the first, third and fifth games. He began with speedy services, which proved effective. The men seemed very evenly matched, and both were playing a fast. game. Though Patterson in the earlier sets had been a little wild, he now showed a keen realisation that the match depended on a skilful finish, and won the remaining games with remarkable vigor and style. It turns out that Gobert, just before the. end of the first set, fell and badly wrenched his right hand, and was in pain until the finish. Anderson is suffering from a mild bronchial attack, with slight fever, and Wood takes his place against Cochet. THE SECOND SINGLES. O’HARA WOOD DEFEATED. Received Aug. 11, 5.5 p.m. » New York, August 10. In the other singles match Cochet (France) defeated O’Hara Wood 6—4, 3—6, 6—o. 7—9, 6—4. In the third set Wood became wild and Cochet speeded up, gathering in his opponents shots all over the court. Wood grew wilder, and never won a game. ' It the fourth set he recovered form and was steadier, but Cochet played a dazzling game. Both men gave ,an exhibition of spectacular tennis. At seven all Wood played superlatively, and taking the last two games, won the set. In the deciding set Wood showed remarkable strength for a while, and Cochet appeared to be weakening .under the strain, but he recovered, and taking four out of the last five games, won the match. THE DOUBLES. THE AUSTRALIAN PAIR. Received Aug. 11, 9.55 p.m. New York, August 10. As there is no chance of Anderson playing -for at least a week, Patterson and Wood will be the doubles pair against France.