LAWN TENNIS. I

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 58, 6 September 1905, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS. I

• INTERNATIONAL CONTEST. THE- DAVIS CUP., [Br Huka.] The first match in the draw was America v. Belgium, but unfortunately the former won by default, as De Borman, of tho Belgium team, was suddenly taken ill. America met France on the 13th July at Queen's Club, the foimer being represented by H. Ward and J. W. Clothier in the singles, and H. Ward and B. C. Wright in the doubles. France relied on 11. Decugis and M. Bermofc for both events. The American team won by 5 matches to nil, 15 sets to 1, and 95 games to 42. The Americans improved upon their play shown at Wimbledon, while the French players were off colour. Germot, the French champion, has a beautiful style, but hardly severe enough, and he was all at sea with the twist services of the Americans. Decugis ; who won , the Covered Court Championship of London last October, was quite olf his game, and never seemed to get going. The grass courts did not favour him, as he is accustomed to play on hard courts. The scores were as follows : — Singles : Ward beat Germot, 6—2, 6—3, 6—l; Ward bent Decugis, 6—2, 6—2, 6—l ; Clothier beat Germot, 6—3, 5—7, 6—l, 6—3 ; Clothier beat Decugis, 6—3,6 — 3, 6—4, 6—4. Double : Ward and Wright beat Decugis and Germot, 6—2, 6—2, 6—2. AUSTRALASIA ,v. AUSTRIA. This contest was started at the same time as the above one, and the colonies land) in the singles, and N. E. Brookes (Victoria) and A. F. Wilding (New Zealand) in the singles, and N. x*. Brookes and A. W. Dunlop (Victoria) in the double. Austria had C yon Wessely and R. Kinzl, two young players who had never played on grass before, doing battle for it, and they, although beaten, put np a woilderful performance considering everything. Australasia won by 5 matches to nil, 15 sets to 2, and 103 games to 51. Brookes outclassed his opponents in the singles, but Wilding had to go all ho knew, and he lost a. set' to 1 each opponent. In tho double tho young Continental players made a brave display, and they were unlucky in not winning the first and third sets. Wilding had a very hard match against Kinzl. Good back court play was the chief point, and the driving of both players was ■very severe. The scores were Singles: Brookes heat Wessely, 6—o, 6—2, 6—2; Brookes beat Kinzl, 6—o, 6—l, 6—2 ; Wilding beat Wessely, 4—6, 6—3, 7—5, 6—l; Wilding beat Kinzl, 6—3, 4— 6, 6—2,6—4. Double: Brookes and Wilding beat Wessely and Kinzl, 9—7, 6—2, 7—5. EXHIBITION MATCH. After the above matches were finished on the Saturday, a very interesting exhibition game took place between the champions, R. F. and H. L. Doherty, and N. E. Brookes and A. W. Dunlop, the Australasian pair. The match, which ran into 5 sets, was won amidst great excitement by the colonials by 6— 3, 5—7, 2—6, 6—4, 6—4. The 'winners played a uplendid forcing game, but the champions were not quite at their best. Brookes served splendidly throughout AMERICA v. AUSTRALASIA. On Monday, 17th July, America and Australasia, were down to play the final off 'at Queen's Club, and the attendance was in excess of that ever seen thei-e before. W. A. Lamed and Beala C. Wright were chosen to lepreeent America in the singles, and Ward and Wright for tho double. 'The Australasian team was the same as played against Austria. When the first . match — Wright v. Brookes — started, the excitement was great, for it was remembered that the two players had at tho London championship given a great display, in which Wright, after losing the first two sets, finely pnlled tho game out of the fire, and won the next three. In the opening, set of this great match one, tv.o, Ihreo games all was called. Then Brookes, with fine work, led, 5—3. The eighth game, being the first service lost by either plnyer, but the very next game (the ninth) Biookes also los>t his service and Wright evened at 5 all by winning on his own service. Brookes 'five times over, with his service, secured the advantage game, only, however, to have the score called games, all each time on Wright's service. Brookes at the 21st game lost his service, and Wright led 11—10. In the 22nd game Wright, though serving, stood at 15—40, and it looked likely that 11 all would bs called, but the American made his run, and try as Brookes did he could not get that one ace. Wright got the 'vantage several times, only to see Brookes win it back, but the end came at last with a win io r ia 6 ■ American » which gave him set 12—10. Deuce was called in six of the games, and tho 4th, 9th, 18th, and 20th were all love games to Wright, and the 13th to Brookes. Both men won their services up to 2-all in the next set, when Brookes lost his service game, chiefly owing to clever passing shots of his opponent, who also won the next, and 4—2 was called Brookes, playing splendidly, evened by winning on his own service and also on one of Wright'*. Five-all was called, then the Australian repeated his performance of the 7th and Bth games, and won tho set, amidst great cheering, 7—5. Deuce was called in four of the games. The third set roused the spectators to intense excitement, and the two players fought most desperately; the, pace was 'a cracker right through, both men doin" all that human beings could to rush the net on their services. Though Wright led 3—l, Brookes, with play of a most dashing character, evened — each player lost a service game. The Australian led 4—3, yet 4-all and 6-all enmc. Then three times over Brookes secured the advantage game, only, however, to lose tho next in each instance on his opponent's service. Wticn Brookes led B—78 — 7 he had a great chance, but ho lost the next and also the 17tli game on his service, which gave Wright the advantage 9—B. It looked all over, ' yet "again with marvellous .play Brookes equalised on Wright's service,, and, going on, led' 10 — 9. Once more games all was called at the 20th game. Brookes seemed to falter at this stage, possibly through his great efforts in the last few games, and on his service lost a love game. Wright, putting all ho knew in the 22nd game, won it, mid secured set 12 — 10. Both players were clean done up, and if anything Brookes seemed the most exhausted. Each player won two love games, five games were at deuce. The spectators, wild with excitement, cheered the men on, and looked for a 5-set match, although many were of the opinion that the men could hardly stand much more at such terrific pace. Brookes lost his first service game, and the American started off much the stronger of tho two, and led 3—l.3 — 1. The match seemed over, but Brookes, with one of those sensational rushes, kept such a terrific pace going that ho evened tho scoro, the 6th game being on Wright's service. Again he faltered, lost his service, and Wright winning on his led 5—3.5 — 3. Another rush' by the colonial saw him take the 9th game, but Wright then had the service, and led 40—30, then here some truly exciting play took place, as not only did Brookes save the point, but also got the 'vantage twice, aud it was not till Wright had been

three times within a point of game, set, and match, that he won the 4-set for America at 6—4. It was a wonderful match, and it is beyond the power of pen to convey what a great amount of pluck and sheer determination iwas displayed by both men. Brookes served magnificently throughout the first three sets, never making a single double fault, although his pace was indeed great. Altogether 66 games were played, Wright winning 35 and Brookes 31. Both men were absolutely done at the finish, as it was only natural to expect after keeping such terrific pace up for 2 hours 14 minutes. The- next match was Lamed v. Wilding, and the former player held the upper hand right through, winning threo 6et6 dn succession. Lamed played well, his Teturns being &eveT© and well placed. He took -the opening oet 6—3,6 — 3, after losing one service game to his opponent's three. The la6t three games were all at deuce. \Vilding let 2—l in the second set, ithen Lamed took five in succession and won 6—2 — three of the games wero at deuce, and Lamed won two lovo games to Jiis opponent's one. Wilding lost three service- games to Lamed's one. In. the third set Wilding made his effort, and kept level •with his opponent until 4 all waa called, then Lamed, putting on great pace, won the ninth and 'tenth games, which- gav-o him set 6—4 and match. WMing lost 'two eor'vio& games to Lamed's one, while no less than five of the games wero at deuce. Lamed won first and ninth games to love. During the- match Lamed lost three service games to 'his opponent's eight. The play in this match was mostly from the base line, and was eomewhat tame after the Wright and Brookes sensation. , .On ih-e. Tuesday th© ©rowd again rolled up to see the double between the American and Australasian teams. The weather was splendid and the courts in good order. Wright and Ward were out for America, as were Brookes and Dunlop for the colonies. Wright commenced tho match by serving and winning tho first game, and America led 2 love by Brookes losing his service. The service wa6 then successful until tho 'ninth game, when Wright lost his, making 5—45 — 4 in favour of the American pair. Then Brookes again lost his service, the first set went to America 6—4.6 — 4. •Dauco was called in tho sixbh and tenth games, while th© American pair won two love games to their opponents' one. In the second set even play carried the score- to 5 all, 'but Ward and Wright with -great play won -the next two games and eet 7—5.7 — 5. Ward lost ono eorvico and Dunlop two. Deuce was called in five games, and each sid-o won a love game. In the third set Btoolws ' played in great style, aaid, ably backed up by Dunlop, led s—l,and5 — l,and they were within one point of set in next game. But they lost it, and the Americans coming with -a'rajttle, even score at 5 all. A sustained grand effort on tho part of the Australian pair, however, gave them eight aces in succession after their opponents had got 2 points in, thus giving them the set 7—5.7 — 5. Each side won two love games, and only one game was at deuce. The American pair kd 5 love in the fourth set, and although (the Austral asiaaia iook - the sixth and seventh gam-es, Ward and Wright, ran out winners 6—26 — 2 sat and match. The Americans won the match twentyfour games to eighteen and Australasia lost nine service games to 6ix. The Americans' play was .more severe than tiieir opponents', and Wright in particular was in splendid form. Brookes at t/imes did well, but w»b softer in his returns than any ©f the other three players. Dunlop was Been to great advantage, but the Americans made the attack Aght through, and made it as only such cleveT tacticians can. The remaining two singles, Lamed v. Brookes and Wright v. Wilding, naturally lost their interest, owing to the fact that America, 'having won the first three mat-ches, had secured tho tie, and the Tight to meet tho British Isles. Nevertheless, a splendid first set took place between Lamed and Brookes ; it was a fight of giants before- Lamed won it at 12—10. Wright beat Wilding in the other match, which was, by agreement, the best of three sets, rather easily, o—3,0 — 3, 6—3.6 — 3. -Scores aro as follows : — Singles : Wright beat Brookes, 12—10, 5—7, 12—10, 6—4;6 — 4; Wright beat Wilding, 6—3, 6—3; Lamed beat ■Brookee, 14—12, 6—o, 6—3 ; Lamed beat Wilding, 6—3, 6—2, 6—4. Doubles: Wright and Ward beat Brookes and Dunlop, 6—4,6 — 4, 7—5, 5—7, 6—2. America won by 5 matches to nil, 14 sets to 2, 115 games to 79.