THE DAVIS GUP.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1922, Page 5

THE DAVIS GUP.

AUSTRALIA v. SPAIN. ONE SINGLES EACH. O’HARA WOOD DEFEATED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Aug. 18, 5.5 p.m. New York, August 17. The final in the Davis Cup contest, to decide who is to challenge the United States for the cup, has commenced at Philadelphia, between Australia and Spain. In the.first match Patterson (Australia) defeated Gomar (Spain), 6—3, S —6, 6 —4. Patterson won the first set from Gomar’s service, which was weak, though he outgeneralled his opponent in the sixth game, Patterson not scoring at all. The Australian’s service was very fast, and his effective smashes brought him through a winner. In the next set Gomar played with more precision and hung on closely, taking games alternately to the sixth; but Patterson forged ahead at the finish and won with some trouble. In the third and deciding set the Australian demonstrated his superiority, being : both faster and hitting the ball harder than [the Spaniard. THE SECOND MATCH. Alonzo (Spain) defeated O’Hara Wood (Australia), 2—6, 3—6, 6—2, B—6, 6—l. The first set Wood won rather easily. Alonzo showed versatility and several times made remarkable shots, winning the fourth game by an apparently impossible return; but Wood was steadier. i In the next set the Spaniard did a little I better. Wood won the third game by a •! wonderful recovery at the very last point, j through Alonzo failing with a return. He j also won the fourth game when his oppo- ! nent was 40 to love. i The third set showed a reversal of form ! on the Australian’s part, and he could only ’ win two games, the second and the seventh. | Alonzo secured four games in succession. I Play in the fourth set produced better ; tennis than in the Patterson-Gomar contest. Wood’s arm appeared to be in excellent condition, but he seemed tired. Ha

returned refreshed by a period of rest, and playing a fast, well-played game he really had his opponent beaten, and then he lost by his own mistakes. In the eighth and ninth games Alonzo was within a point of losing, but Wood served a double fault in. one and found the net in the other. The Spaniard squeezed out and won. This double fault lost Wood not only the game, but the contest.

In the final set Alonzo was vociferously cheered. He showed sensational form, while Wood tired to nothing and was hopelessly beaten. DESCRIPTION OF PLAY. Patterson, describing the play, says: “Our match with Spain was played in intense heat, though a slight breeze relieved the conditions somewhat. The standard of play suffered in consequence and was rather poor in both matches. “I commenced against Gomar serving fairly well, though I certainly made some double faults. Gomar was uncertain off the ground and seemed bothered by the cut I was putting on the ball. He was very fast, and, steadying somewhat, came close to taking the second set; but I managed to get out by good volleying. The heat now affected my opponent, and he had not the power to pull off the last set.

“Wood was robbed of his match. When having served his service ace for the game and the match, a foot fault was called on him, and this so distressed him that he lost touch for a while, enabling Alonzo to pull the match out of the fire. The last set was the only one in which he looked like winning. Alonzo, who is noted for his stamina, took advantage of this and pressed on to victory, with Wood tiring and disappointed. ‘‘This match does not need much description, because Wood was so superior until the unfortunate incident occurred, though he was winning largely on forced errors, that when the tide turned he was too tired to stem, Alonzo’s brilliant rush. Instead of being in the happy position of two up, we are now in the same anxious position as we were against the Frenchmen, with the dread possibility of Wood’s arm not standing the strain.’’ —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.