SUCCESS ALMOST ASSURED.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20921, 31 July 1933, Page 9

SUCCESS ALMOST ASSURED.

BRITAIN'S CHALLENGE FOB DAVIS CUP. TWENTY YEARS OF FOREIGN DOMINATION. By gaining the commanding lead of two matches to none in the first day's play, Austin and Perry made the capture of the Davis Cup, after 20 years of foreign tenure of the trophy, almost a certainty. The losa of the doubles was expected, bu: the news of Perry's collapse is much more disturbing. His defeat of Merlin—as nearly a certainty as possible in a game in which luck plays its customary part—was counted upon to clinch the match, even if Austin should fail to repeat his team-mate's performance in beating Cochet. With a day's rest, however, it ift likely that Perry will have recovered sufficiently to beat the young French player, who cannot yet be considered in Cochet's class, even though the latter appears definitely to have passed his best Austin.' too, should have a good chance of beating Cochet. Defence of the Cup. When in 1931 Great Britain reached the challenge round against France for the first time in 12 years, Austin and Perry had to face a Cochet who was considered the uncrowned champion of the world, and one who in previous years had risen to great heights of tennis skill in the defence of the cup. Both the Englishmen made magnificent efforts to beat him, and Austin was actually twice within a point of holding a two-set lead. In that match ~ both Austin and Perry beat Borotra, who in the following year was to play the tennis of his life in beating both Vines and Allison, enabling France to retain the trophy for another year. This year there was a strong feeling that France would lose the cup, as Borotra had definitely retired from singles play, and Cochet appeared to be no longer the great match winner of a few years ago. The United States' team was expected to be the one to end the superiority of the Frenchmen, dating from 1927, but Vines*s loss of form after Wimbledon, and the fineplay of Austin and Perry, both of whom, in spite of reported improved play, failed at Wimbledon, resulted in Great Britain reaching the challenge round instead of the United States. Last Defence Falls. Their task this year was a much easier one than that of 1931, when they lost only by the odd match in five, for Cochet, through a series of defeats, had apparently lost all his old-time assurance and confidence, even if remairing a master of stroke play. For the first time since winning the trophy in 1927, too, France had to call upon a player other than one of the "four musketeers," Lacoste, Borotra, Cochet, and* Brugnon, who had lifted their country to the summit of international lawn tennis, and kept her in that proud position for five years. The honour fell upon Andre Merlin, a youth of 19. who has received a great deal of coaching from Cochet, on whoso style of play Merlin has largely modelled his game. He has, at various times in his short career, beaten leading international players, in* eluding G. Von Cramm (Germany). G. P. Hughes, and LG. GoQtns (Great Britain), G. de Stetari (Italy), S. B. Wood, and G. S. Mangin (United States). The view was generally held that Great Britain was certain to win two singles—those against Merlin—and that the British team would lose the doubles. Its chances of success, therefore depended upon whether Austin or Perry could beat Cochet Because he plays a flsadr more dynamic game than - Austin Perry was regarded as the mote likely to succeed in this mission. Hit success in what must have bean as gruelling a game as any taught » a challenge round in the last few years made a British victory almost certain. It seems that fiance's last defence had fallen. Holders of the CupHolders of the Davis Pay since.the inception of the competftxm m, IBM are as follows: 1900-1902— United States. 1903-1906—British Isles. 1907-1911— Australasia. 1912—British Isles. 1913—United States. 1914-1919— Australasia. 1920-1926— United States. ' 1927-1932—France. SEABRIGHT TOURNAMENT. FINALS PLAYED. (Received July 30, 8.15 pan.) * i SEABRIGHT (New Jersey), J. 29. In the women's singles final at tine Seabright invitation tournament today, Miss Sarah Palfrey beat Miss Helen Jacobs, 6-1, 2-6; T-5. In the men's final Francis X. Shields beat Gregory S. Mangin, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1.