WON BY AUSTRALASIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9210, 22 January 1920, Page 5

WON BY AUSTRALASIA.

(Per Press Association. Copyright.) SYDNEY, January 21. Australasia won the Davis Cup, '-Patterson beating Kingscote" 6-1, 6-4, 8-6. Misty 'rain and southerly , wind did not daunt the crowd of 7000 who assembled to witness "the filial stage of the Davis Cup contest. The cour^ was covered-by a tarpaulin, and was not affected by the rain, but an hourelapsed. before play was commenced. After that, though tho weather was dull and tureatemng, rain held off.

Contrary to anticipations, the umpire called, ''Game—one all," when Patterson commenced serving to Kingscote, whereas it was expected that yesterday's game would not be counted.

Patterson' was in superb form, and his forceful attack and fine service completely outwitted the Englishman, whose delivery appeared weaker than in the former games. Patterson continually cut and drove the ball to Kingscote. His back hand play speedily reached the net, and. by means of short drop shots he repeatedly beat the visitor, Patterson taking the first set, 6-1.

Kingscote won the opening game of the .second set. Patterson equalised 'in. the next game, and carried the score to 3-1 in his favomvKiiigscote again foctfaulted twice before . winning his' second- game, by .means of fine back liand passing shots. " ' ' | Each player won his,own service in the next four games, the seventh of which was keenly contested, each holding the advantage several times. 'With the score at 5-4 in Patterson's favour, Kingscote brilliantly attebpted to equalise, but ,aftor deuce Patterson's- .service carried him through, winning the second set, 6-4. rtotn players appeared' anxious to attack, playing up to the net when an opportunity offered. Patterson won off Kiiieisane''!* service, but lost the first service' of the match and th se next game through two double faults. Kingscote -took the third game, getting ahead' 2-I—the first time in this match. Patterson soon recovered, and, playing well, won the fcaree successive games, but the indomitable .Englishman never relaxed, and equalised—4 all.

Kingseote got ahead in the next game, when Patterson, winning the following: game to love, createdl great excitement by again equalising—s all.. A long deuce game followed, each playing perfect tennis. The game eventually resulted in .the Australasian's favour. .

The final game went to six deuces before Patterson, with a terrific smash, settled the'game, the set and the .destination of .the. Davis Cup, the scores being 8-6. Patterson demonstrated his ability in the match as a player of wonderful equanimity in the tightest corner, exhibiting perfect temperament for big games. „ The interest relaxed' when Lowe and Anderson commenced what proved to be one of the greatest and most evenly j contested matches ■ ever witnessed here. Each played a similar base line game of long drives. Tho a.bsence of. volleys made the rallies. 1 longer, but lacking in the brilliance and speed of the other Cup matches. Anderson, after some ding-dong games, took tfie first set. 6-4. Lowe won the second set, 7-5, Anderson the third, 6-3, and Lowe the fourth, 6-4. The final set was only decidted after 22 games. Each player hung on tenaciously, first one'gaining an advantage and then the other, until with failing light Anderson took the 'set and the match for Australasia. 12-10. Tho final scores for the content were:— . Matches. .Sets. Owes. Australasia ... 4 19 102 British Isles ...16 77