LAWN TENNIS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18135, 26 July 1924, Page 14

LAWN TENNIS.

AUSTRALIANS IN U.S.A. (BY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION GOPTEIGHT.) ("Aaocs.") (Received Julv 25th, 8.40 p.m.) NEW YCICK, July 24. At Brooklyn, in the fifth rouiTd of tho Metropolitan championships, O'Hara Wood defeated Donaldson, 6-4, 6-4. Patterson defeated Schlesinger, 6-2, 6-2. In the sixth round, O'Hara Wood defeated Feiblcman, 6-3, 6-0. In the second round of the doubles, Patterson and O'Hara Wood defeated Deary and Helwitz, 6-0, 6-2. Schlesinger and partner defeated Danielson and Brongh, 7-5, 6-4. In the third round, Patterson and O'Hara Wood defeated Rain ran and Roberts, 6-1, 6-0. THE DAVIS CUP. CANADA V. CUBA. (KTUTES'S TIIJEOHJ.JIS.) (Received July 25th, 8.40 p.m.) OTTAWA, Jnly 21. In the Davis Cup tie, Rogeleo Paris (Cuba) defeated Jack Wright (Canada), 10-8, 3-6, 2-6, 6-0, 6-3. Willard Crocker (Canada) defeated I. Zayas (Cuba), 5-6, G-2, 6-2. DENMARK V. CZECHOSLOVAKIA. COPENHAGEN, Ju'y 24. In the Davis Cup tie, Denmark won the first two singles against Czecho-Slovakia, each three sets to one. NEW ZEALANDERS AT PRAGUE. (FBOJt OUB OTO COBKBSPOItDttTT.)

LONDON, June 17. Although the two veteran tennis players who represented New Zealand in the Davis Cup Tournament at Prague were not able to carry away the honours, the three matches in which they played were all very closely contested. Mt J. C. Peacock, Mr F. M. B. Fisher, and Dr. P. E. Allison (emergency) travelled to Czecho-Skrrakia by way of Folkestone ond Flushing, through Dresden and. down tie valley to the Elbe, a- journey which they thoroughly enjoyed. They were rather surprised with the beauty of the scenery and the wonderful cultivation in the province of Bohemia. As far as they oould judge the country right through waa prosperous. As it was not decided until the last moment whether the contest should t»ke place at Torquay or at Prague, the visitors had only three days in which, to practise at Prague. The courts on which the tournaments were played were not those on which they practised, and had only been completed the day before the opening event. The earth cut up rather badly, but of course all the players were handicapped by the same circumstances. "Otherwise," said Mr Peacock, in relating their experiences, "the arrangements were most complete. The umpires were most satisfactory, the ball boys were the besttrained I have met with, and the conduct of the match accessories were all excellent. There were 2000 people each day to witness the play and the spectators wera__ most impartial in their sympathies ana" applause. All crur opponents too were most sportsmanlike. Everything was' provided for our comfort." One of the difficulties that the visitors experienced was the language. Very little English and French were spoken, and although the people practically all speak German they dislike doing bo. The secretary of the local tennis association spoke a little English, and a Russian who had been an officer in the Russian Guards and waa b. tennis player and a good linguist came to the New Zealanders' assistance. At the final dinner given tt> the Swiss team and the New Zealand' team the chairman spoke in Czecho-Slovakian, the Swiss captain in French, and (Mr Peacock in English, and though it is probable that those most concerns with the respective speeches, did not understand a word, everybody was happy and pleased. The tennis players were received by M. Tomas Masaryk, the President of the Republic, and afterwards had an opportunity of going over the Palace, and the British Ambassador (Sir George Cleric), who was official referee for the tournament, also gave a dinner and » dance which everyone very much enjoyed.

THE PLAT. . In the first match—Fisher against Rohrer —the play was very even/' The score stood at two seta all. In the fifth set Fisher won the first three games. Then his opponent crept up until tney were four all. At this Btage the New Zealand player broke - his racquet, which may have had something to do with the final result. At any rate, the set finished at 6-4 in favour of Eohrer. In V the other singles—Peacock versus Zembla the play was very .even, but. resulted in the Czech o-Slovakian's favour—-7-5, 6-4, 7-5.

Zembla and Kozohik met Peacock and Fisher in the doubles, and this was a fine match. The score worked up to 2 sets all. In the fifth set the New Zealandere gained three games to their opponents' one, but the latter worked up and won the set by seven games to five. The loss of these three matches put the New Zealanders out of the running for the semifinal of the European section of the Davis Cup. All three New Zealanders, as well as the Swiss players, were invited to take part in the Czecho-Slovnkian championships. They remained for a few days, but the weather was unfavourable, and .having to get back to England at a certain date, they retired from the contests.