AMERICA LEADS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1813, 28 July 1913, Page 9

AMERICA LEADS.

DAVIS CUP CONTEST. FIRST DAY'S PLAY ENDS EVEN HOLDERS THEN LOSE DOUBLES. CLOSE CONTESTS. By Telegraph—Press Association— OopyrieM (Rec. July 27, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 27. The challenge round for thi Davis Cup contest which opened on Friday between tho American team which won the right to challenge tho holders, the British toam, ended oven at tlio close of the first day's piny. Parke (British Isles) met and defeated the young American champion M'Louglilin by 3 sets out of 5, -and Dixon (British Isles) succumbed to Williams (America) losing 3 sots out of 5. Tho scores wore: Parko v. M'Loughlin, B—lo, 7—5, 6—4, 1-6, 7—5. Dixon v. Williams, 6—B, 6—3, 2—6, 6—l. 5-7. Parko won thp second- and third and fifth eots in his match, while Dixon could only win tho second cmd fourth sets in his contost with Williams. Thns holders and challengers each won a match. M'Loughlin was below tho form ho recently showed in the All England tournament. He made many mistakes in his ground shots and poor returns wero frequent. Parke showed excellent judgment. He adopted Wilding's back-hand return of M'Loughlin's service. In the first set each won on his service until 9—B was called in M'Loughlin's favour. Then Parke's Bervice lost, its potency and M'Loughlin won. The Irishman managed the American's eervice. well in the second and third sets, but finding the fourth beyond recovery saved himself for the fifth, which was exciting. M'Louglilin squared the games at five all. Parke then won his own service and finally brilliantly captured M'Loughlin's, thus winning tho set and tho match. Dixon's display against Williams was disappointing and unoven. He blundered badly and served thirteen double faults.

SECOND DAY'S PLAY. THE DOUBLES. (Rec. July 27, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 27. M'Loughlin and Hackett (Amerioa) defeated' Roper Barrett and Dixon (British Isles), 5-7, 6—l, 2—G, 7-5, G-4. Hackott's slow servico contrasting with M'Loughlin'a disconcerted the Englishmen at tho opening stages of the game. Later, Dixon's and Barrett's tactical experience camo to their aid, and by regular feeding of Hacketfs weakness they looked like securing tho victory. Dixon w«b weak in tho second set, and Barrett brilliant. In tho third tho Englishmen wore within a s.troko of winning. In the fourth M'Loughlin was serving with great power, and onco broke his racket. Ho saved brilliantly. There were many long volleying duels. In the fifth Dixon was volleying finely, and Barrett was less steady than usual, and lost both his services. M'Loughlin finally won the match with a love game off his own service.

Tho probabilities point very decidedly to tho British Isles losing the Davis Oup. The position at tho closo >of the first day 8 play was a most interesting one. Parke had reversed his defeat in the All England championships when M'Loughlin beat him in three straight sets, while Dixon had succumbed to his young opponent. Tho score in sots and games at that stage wag as follows: Sets. Games. America 1 55 British Isles 1 54 Tho second day's play, however, changed the outlook very materially. As a matter of fact it will probably bo found that the win of the Americans in tho doubles means tho loss of the Davis Cup to tho British team, for though Parko may beat Williams in tlio singles on Monday, M'Loughlin is fairly certain to beat Dixon. Tho chances indeed are decidedly in favour of the challongers. The scores now stand: Sets. Games. Amerioa 2 81 British Isles 1 77