LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1246, 30 September 1911, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS.

CTJP AND HEART-BURNINGS. [Br "Footpault."] Americans Take a High Hand. Americans have somewhat upset calculations as to dates for tho playing off of tho challenge round for the Davis Cup. Tho news that they cannot accept the proposed dates, viz., J)ecember 29 and 30 and January 1, on account of their having to return "by December 22 is very disquieting. This also happened in the last Dans Cup contest, which was played in Australia in l'JOy, and is causod, 110 doubt, by a desire to meet the convenience of one of their best players. It is to be regretted that word was not forthcoming earlier as to the uon-suitabil-ity of the above-mentioned dates, because, although new ones will be suggested, and everything done as far as possible to meet the requirements and convenience of tho visitors, Australian players must also receive duo consideration, and too early a date may not be suitable to them. What wiii be a great disappointment, not only to Ghristchurch, but to all tennis ehtliusi-' asts throughout the Dominion, may ariso if the Americans do not reconsider their decision, and hold (o the original dates. Tho contest may then havo to be played in Australia on' account of tho impossibility of preparing anything like suitable courts in Christchurch in the short tirao that will lxs available if earlier dates axo decided upon. The Story of the Davis Cup, '£he history of the Davis Cup itself will probably bo of interest to some players who are not yet conversant with it:

It is a beautiful piece of work, valued at about ,£'2oo, and was first offered for'competition ill. 1900 by Mr. Dwiglit Davis, himself a representative American, player. A standing challenge was issued to the best teams from any country in the world. Tho first contest took place in New York in 1300 when the British representatives were defeated. 'J'hero was no contest ii\ 1901, but in 1902 the Americans arain succeeded in retaining tho trophy, beating the Dohertys and J. Piin by three matches to two. In the following year, howe.-er, the British Isles, through the agency of tho Doherty brothers, beat America, represented by Lamed and E. D. and G. L. Wrenn, by four sets to one. The cup remained in England's possession until 1907. The first appearance of Austra.lia as a competitor was in 1905, when Brookes and Dunlop, with Wilding, represented the Commonwealth at Willi- • bledon. They were beaten, however, by the Americans by five sets to nil; while the Americans in their turn went down before tho British team, comprising the Dohertys and Smith. In 11)06 Australasia was represented by Wilding and Poidevin, and again lost to America, albeit Wilding carried off both his single games. In 1907 tho Australasian team (Brookes and Wilding) defeated America by thico sets to two in the preliminary' tie, and Britain by the same score in the . challenge round. Thus the famous bowl came to Australia, and how Brookes and Wilding successfilly defended it first against Beals. Wright, and Alexander, and next against Long and M'Loughlin, does not need to bo retold. Wilding and A. J. Balfour. ■ An interesti'i" item, taken from a loltor written by Wilding to a friend in Wellington, tells how ho played with Mr. A. J. Balfour, tho Leader of the Opposition in the Houso of Commons. Tho letter says: "I played five sets with A. J. Balfour last week, and—very mild tennis. He is ono of tho most charming men in tho world, and in his own set is almost worshipped. In spite of the fact that last Sunday was the critical time of the Lords and Parliament Bill, he did not seem to have a care in the world, except the negotiation of American services, which puzzled him more than tho tactics of the House of Commons."

In the Scottish championships, played at Bridgeof Allan, A. D. Dunlop figured very prominently, winning both the singles and doubles (witli W. S. Clements). and reaching t'lO final of the combined doubles. In the semi-final of the championship singles ho met I?. B. Powell, the holder, and after playing beautiful tenuis ran out G—li. G—G—2. In tho final against W. S. Clements he also played fine tennis, clearly outplaying his opponent both ill placing and serving, and winning the match in two sots straight by G—l, G—t. it having bran mutually agreeil to play the best of three sots. This victory was immensely popular. In the championship doubles, partnered by W. L. Clements, lie met in the final the holders (Pritehct! an<l Glenny), and defeated them by three K>ts to love, the scores beill!,' 7—5, G—l. G—3.

In tho combined finals Dunlop and his partner (Miss Morion) fell victims to Clements and Miss Aitchison, the score being 7—5, (i—o, in Clements and Miss Aitchison's favour. Gursjlves—and Atrocious Weather., Tho weather for' the opening of the Wellington clubs last Saturday was more suitable for football than tennis. 11l spite of this, tho various occasions passed olf exceedingly well. Tho committee of tho Hi-ntigh.ani Hill, Newtown, and Wellington Clubs deserve credit for the able manner in which they curried out their arrangements, and for the caro which tlie.v took io sen that all visitors, both pb.yeis and lion-players, enjoyed tliem-.elves. Trinity Tennis Club opens tor tho seaKin this afternoon. It is tho intention of this club to top-dress both courts before tic season gets into lull saiio.