THE DAVIS CUP

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 52, Issue 248, 2 August 1932, Page 3

THE DAVIS CUP

BOROTRA'S GREAT VICTORY. GREAT RECOVERIES IN GAME (United Press Association— Copyright) PARIS, July 31. The stadium at Auteuil was packed to the gate for the final singles of the challenge round of the (Davis Cut> contest between Franco (the holders) and the United States. The gate money exceeded £16,000. The police were hard pressed to prevent another 5000 storming the gates. An unprecedented roar of patriotic fervour accompanied Borotra's heroic fight, in which, after looking as though he must fall a victim to the speed and activity of the younger man, he repeatedly recovered, as probably only Borotra could. He played inspired tennis, triumphing in a. terrific duel that lasted nearly two and a-half hours. The court had been over-watered and was so slippery that Borotra floundered as though on ice. Allison, profiting by the Basques errors, quietly kept the ball m play in the first set. Ln the second set Borotra changed his shoes to rope soles, and found an improvement, but the American took the set. With magnificent assurance Borotra faced the crisis. He realised that his chance of victory lay in continually storming the net. He repeatedly got there and flashed spectacular volleys. He re-discovered his service speed and gained points on the side lines. He took the third set amid a resounding ovation. A brilliant display of all court shots and rapid sprints to the net gave Allison no chance, the Frenchman taking the fourts set after four deuces. Allison dropped his service game in the fifth. Borotra then changed his shoes, which were worn out. and' won the next, the spectators cheering madly. Allison responded equally at two all, and then led 4-2 and seemed assured of victory. He reached 5-3, with Borotra serving, and game score at 15-40. Borotra, with teeth clenched, saved two match points, the second of which will long provide a matter for controversy, many thinking that the Frenchman double faulted. Allison certainly thought the ball was outside. Allison had another match point, but thereafter faded away. Borotra, struggling bravely, won amidst a wild outburst of exurbcrance.

LINESMAN'S BLUNDER. OPINIONS OF CRITICS. LONDON, August 1. Mr S. N. Doust, in the "Daily Mail, ' says the linesman's blunder robbed Wilmer Allison of the match. International critics in a position to see have agreed that Jean Borotra doublefaulted, and that the loss of a point unsettled Allison, who was affected also by waiting while Borotra changed his shoes. Nevertheless, the " Basque s achievement was wonderful. The following are the winning nations to date in'the Davis Cup competition : 1900— United States. *l9O1 —United States. 1902—United States. 1903—British Isles. 1904—British Isles. 1905 British Isles. 1906—British Isles. 1907 —Australasia. 1908 —Australasia. 1909—Australasia. *l9l0 —Australasi a. 1911 —Australasia. 1912—British Isles. 1913—United States. 1914 —Australasia, ]915-18—No competition. 1919—Australasia. 1920—United States. 1921—United States. 1922—United States. 1923—United States. 1924 —United States. 1925—United States. 1926 —'United States. 1927 —France. 1928—France. 1929—France. 1930—France. 1931—France. ' 1932—France. *The holder was not challenged.