LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 17, 19 January 1912, Page 2

LAWN TENNIS.

EXHIBITION MATCH. Owing to the postponement of the exhibition match between the Davis Cup pij,. era at the Eden and Epsom courts, and tlie unsuitable time at which it was pi,i;. i,i iv-djy, the attendance this morning v> >a not neurly as large as it would n.ac ueen had tue original arrangtiweuts b: i-ii carried out. HJowever, several humueJ enthusiasts turned up at the Lue.i lu.v.ns, and wuited patiently UUtil tuv pi.i,» era appeared, some time after '.he uour advertised for tlie commenceuiiiiL o( the game. The court was iu order, though the ground was a little heavy. Unfortunately, half-way uirough the morning heavy rain came on. and play had to be stopped for tlie time. Beals Wright seemed to feel the unfavourable conditions more than the other men, though all were affected by the rain and the slippery ground. It was impossible for the men to show their hiMt form under such circumstances, Iml. tiiey gave tlie spectators some idea of what lirst-class tennis means, and provided an exhibition such as Auckland tennis players have never seen before, and are, unfortunately, not. likely to witness again for a long time to come.

Tlie match was rather oue-sided, though not so much so as the' scores would indicate. Brook-esi and Dunjlop beat the American pair, G—3 ti—2, 6—4; but though they won the three sets straight, there were many long rallies, and in several of the games deuce was called a great number of times before the deciding stroke was scored. The outstanding features of the play were the remarkable services of McLoughJin and Brookes, the volleying of Dunlop, and Wright's effective cut strokes off the ground. But as a matter of fact, all four men showed themselves capable of doing almost anything required on a tennis court, and they performed a number of additional feats, especially in the way of short placing, and half-volleying, that the average player would never, dream of attempting, MeLoughlia has. probably the freest and most vigorous style of all, and some of his recoveries from deep lobs, his overhead smashes, and an occasional lightning drive were rye-openeT.s to the spectators. Dunlop showed admirable judgment in low volleying, several times beating his opponents altogether, not by pace, but by skill in timing and placing. Wright could not keep his feet well on the slippery ground, but he showed fine, allround form. Brooks seemed less troubled by the wet • than the others, and while there seems, ta.be-nothing in tie whole range of the pimc that he cannot do well, he showed even in short match something of the remarkable powers of anticipation and general-.-hip that have gained him a world-wide reputation. The Australians won the toss, and Brookes, as usual, won his service, though it was a deuce game. Brookes was chiefly 'instrumental in winning the second game on McLoughlin's serve. Though Dunlop's service looks extremely mild, the combined volleying of the Australians wae too much for their opponents, and the score was called 3—o, Australia leads. This woke the Americans up, and some brilliant close volleying in the next game resulted" in their favour. The Americans followed this up by beating Brookes in his service game; but in the next game a rash stroke at the net by McLoughlin gave Australia a substantial lead. Wright' then made a big effort, but the heavy ground was against him, and Dunlop won his own service once more-*— 5—2, Australia leads. Wright then won his own service, beating each of his opponents with hard, overhand shots, and there were prospects of a close tight. It was now Brookes' turn to serve, and he was leading at 40;—30 when the rain came on. Eventually Australia won this game and the set, 6—3.

The play in the second set was even ibetter than before, especially on the part of Brookes. A brilliant cross tliot by McLaughlin saved-the game at one point, but- Brookes then played admirably, and won the game. , He waa chiefly instrumental in scoring the second by short and well-placed volleys. Score, t—l); Australia leads. Wright's service in the next game beat his opponents for pace, and he won a love game. The Americans fought hard for the next game, and if McLoughlin had not rashly volleyed a ball that was going out, they might have won it. As it was, Brookes rose to the occasion a Tain, and after some steady and accurate piny, forced the ball to a part of the court where there was no one to return it. Score, 3—l, in Australia's favour. The Americans struggled manfully on, and though Wright lost his footing and his racquet in an attempt to reach a beautiful volley from THinlop, the Americans eventually won the game. Brookes and Dunlop led 3—2. But the Americans had now reached the end of their tether, as Brookes and Durilnp, playing beautifully, together, ami volleying with great accuracy, got ton love fumes in succession, and finished the set at 6—2. In the third set the Americans evidently had decided to make a big effort. McLoughlin changed his serve, sending in faster balls, that 'broke sharp into Brookes, and beat both the champion and Dunlop several times. Kive'deUces were called in this game, which the Americans finally won. Brookes then won his serve, equalising the score after some exciting rallies, and the Australians won the next two games in a smart; shower of rain. Wright again increased' the p.iee of tils' services, ahd beat both opponents irt sticcessioh. The score nowEtond'3'—2, Australia leads;' but it was now Brookes' service, and this, com'bined with Dunlop's clever net play, gave Australia the game. McLoughlin now came to the front with some magnificent serves, wit'i which Brookes could do nothing, and the Americans won. The next game was extremely brilliant and exciting. Three times Brookes, with wonderful skill, manoeuvred his opponents out of position, and finUhed the rally with a short stroke that marked the pcrfec! ion of tennis skill. However, fie American* clung to the game, and MeT.mighlin's hard smashing was chiefly instrumental in bringing them level on the eighth game —4 all. The spectators were delighted with the plucky recovery, an!' hoped that the American's "would ■vvrn at least one fctft it was not to be. Brookes reasserted himself in no do'i'.itfn] fashion in the last two games. w)|<-h both went to Australia; and Brookes ~.nd Dunlop thus won the match be three sets to Ib'i'e. Though the Americans did not. win n set they were by no means outclassed, and quite apart from their great reputation they showed that they are capable of far' better triings. Apart from the perfect style and furtgm.cnt of Brookes iind the brrllrancy of McLoughlin, per : haps the most instructive feature of jhe |

:pjaj -wjutitbe low 1 Tolleylag- in-'.^wjMch-Dunlop excelled. Tennis players looking an noted that all four men volleyed from near the service line, and that they seldom came very close to the net. . After the game, Mr. Holmes, president of the 'Auckland L.T.A., presented each member of the two teams with a piece of tangiwai (the most beautiful form of greenstone), as a memento pf their visit to New Zealand, and more especially to Auckland. Three cheers for the visitors term mated a display that will live long in the memory of all the AuckI landers who were fortunate enough to I witness it.