LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16142, 3 August 1914, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS.

By Smash.

The Davis Cfup contests are now. fairly launched upon their course, and are indeed rapidly advancing towards completion. Already world-wido interest has been aroused in the matches—an interest that could scarcely be keener if more weighty destinies than merely sporting ones hung in the balance, —and the climax of the struggle is being eagerly looked forward to on all hands. Up to the present the odds have been freely placed upon Australasia, and, even making ollowanoa for the reflection of a slightly exaggerated optimism in the Australian and New Zealand press, it seems to me that these colonies have a really excellent chance of winning. The turn of recent events seems to point more stronglv than ever to tho conclusion that the pair representing Australasia will win their way through the preliminary ties and bo matched against America (the holders) in the final contest. If this eventuates the struggle will be an historic one, for iho Americans will bo defending the ' " lares and penates" of lawn tonnis in their own country— tho home and origin of the Davis Cup. Of Wilding's status and qualifications it is unnecessary to speak, while Brookes seems to have- struck better form than ever before in the course, of his great career. Both players have recently beaten the world's best in Europe, ind both have previously defeated the hurricane American, M'Loughiin. It is highly probable, however, that the latter, who is still quite a young nJayer, may have improved his game considerably since he last appeared in international tennis, arid his continued supremacy in the States would certainly lend colour to that view. It appears auite within therange of possibility that M'Loughiin. might boat either Brookrs or Wilding, but such an event is not likely to occur, and the chances are rather agaiiiet it than otherwise.

The American team that has been chosen to defend tho cup will consist of M'Loughlin, Bundy, and Bohr, and tho side is admittedly a Btrong one, though no little surprise has been occasioned by the exclusion of Williams, who hae generally been regarded as but little inferior to M'Loughlin. Karl Behr is probably the least known of the three in these parts, and some facts regarding him will therefore be of interest. This player, eays a nothern writer, is the American cyclone who blew into Kngland when the American team played the Australasian team for tho Davis Cup. The Australasians—Brooks and Wilding— were* beaten in the Doubles by Beals Wright and Behr 3—6, 12—10, 4—6. In tho Singles Brookes beat Wright 6—4, 6—4, 6—2, and then defeated Behr 4—6, 6—4, 6—l 6—2. Then Wright boat Wilding 6—B, 6—3, 6—o, 7—5, and all depended upon the WildingBohr matchi Tho American led two sets , to one and almost captured the fourth Ufter a brilliant display of hard hitting. Wilding won I—6, 6 —3, 3 —6, 7 —5, 6—3—the games being equal After 1907 Behr did not do much tennis till 1912, when he reappeared with success in American tournaments, and must be going "great guns" to got a place in the American team this year. He is 29 years of age, and, it is interesting to recall, was on board the ill-fated Titanic when she was wrecked. The. Singles will probably be allotted to M'Loughlin and Behr. and doubtless tho former will pair with Bundv for the Doubles. If they do there will immediately bo a danger signal hoistrd before our representatives, for the combination strikes me as a remarkably stronc one.

Germany, after allowing her intentions to hovor for some time in the realms of uncertainty, .has at last resolved definitely to be represented in tho contest for the cup, and will bo able to place a strop? team in tho field in the poisons of 0. Froitzheim and Krouzor. This pair will bo matched against Auetrilasia now that the latter have defeated, Canada, and an interesting oontpst (commencing to-day) should bo the result. Froitzhoim achieved fame auite recently by nearly boatimr Brookes in the recent semifinal of tho Singles at Wimblrdon. Kreuzer is a young player who camp into prominejico in 1912, and since thon F. G. Lowo, the Britieh international, has been numbered amongst his victims. The second meeting of Brookes and Froitzhoim will bo eagerly looked forward to. The winners of Australasia-Germnny will moot Great Britain on August 6. and America will defend her title to the eup at, Long Island on August 13.

The Australasian pair wan their initial match against Canada somewhat easily, both plivers annexing their Singles without much difficulty. According to tho cables tho Doubloe provided some, rather more interesting play. and.the volWing. at t,irm<s seems to hafve boon quite interesting. It has to be admitted that there is some validity in tho contention of several writers that Brookes nnd Wilding do not form an ideal doubles pair. Tho Australian is. of course, a left-hander, and a clover pair of opponents could oasilv create confusion by placing the ball judieiouslv down the centre of tho court nnd P'ittir"? the two in a auanr'->rv rus to which should mnlco the stroke. This is a defect, however, that should bo remd'lv overcome bv combined practice, and doubtless Brookes and WilHinrr car. h" relied upon to eliminate it entirely boforo the sti'ous rnarchrs of tho contest are eomm"no"d.' In this ivnuwntinTi it may bo remarked tbnt Parko's alleged throat in regard to Kntrland "snrinjring a surprise" will nrob.iblv not disconcert our representatives in any measure.