Lawn Tennis

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 18, 20 July 1907, Page 14

Lawn Tennis

[Bt HtfKA.] THE "DAVIS" CUP. In the first round of Iho "Da.vis" Cup contest, America v. Australasia, Norman Brookes, tho All-English champion, beat Beals Wright, tho noted American, 3 ucts Etraight, 6-4, 6—4, 6—2. The Victorian was brilliant, and in the third set played all over his opponent. Wilding beat Wright by 3 sets to love in tho All-Eng-land Championship. Aftor looking into other comparisons there can be littlo difference between tho two colonial players, although Brookes undoubtedly is the moro brilliant. Wilding, of New Zealand, also won his heat in tho Davis Cup event by beating Karl Behr (America), I—6, 6—3, 3—6,3 — 6, 7—5,7 — 5, 6^ — 3. It was a closo battle, and our champion just managed to win. Behr took the first set easily, but Wilding cqualise'd by securing tho second set. Then tho American secured the third set, and led two sets to ono. Tho fourth set was a great fight, the New Zealander iust winning after an advantage sot. The match was now called two sets all, bnt Wilding, with 'his charaotoristio effort, took the final sot and match. Each player won 23 games, and it was only the stubborn finish of the New Zealander that gave him victory. Behr must bo a player of very high cluss, as ho gavo Brookes all he wanted in the All-England Singles, tho latter just winning by 3 sets to 2. With two wins in out of tho five matches to bo played, the AustralaEians looked to haye the Americans quite safe, as they had beaten Wright and Behr in tho final of tho All-England' Doubles somewhat oasily, 6—4, 6—4, 6—2. In tho third match of tho series to bo played Brookes and Wilding opened Well, taking tho first Eet, 6—3. The second tet .was a most prolonged one, and; both sides fought hard for a win. The win. camo, aftor 22 games had been played, to America by 12 games to 10 — and set all waa called. Tho third sot was fairly close, going to our team at 6—4,6 — 4, which gavo them tho lead by two 6etß to ono. Thou came the surprise — Wright and Behr not only captured tho fourth eot, and thus mado it two sets all, but got away with the final set as well, which meant match by threo sets to two. They seem to h?.ve secured the last two nets almost easily. At tho ond of tho third set Australasia had won 22 games to 19, but the final score was, America 31 games to 27. Wilding has yet to meet Wright, and Brookes has also a match to piay against Behr. On paper our players should win both of theso, and must win one to qualify to meet the British Isles in the challenge round. Before this appears in print the reEult will be through. The general query amongst tennis enthusiasts is, , where and when will tho next contest for tho Davis Cup bo played if Australasia w,ins. But we havo not won yet, and, as our player 3 havo to meet opponents who are xeckoned as the world's best, it iB not safe to look too far ahead. Even should we beat the Americans, we still have to tackle tho Britinh Isles in the challenge round '(which, by the way, starts to-day). The holders will put a good team in, even should tho Doherty brothers not bo starters, and will make a bold fight to retain the* cup and international championship that they fought so hard for and captured from America in 1903. Should our players be good enough to secure the coveted honour, there will naturally bo some' competition between the affiliated associations of the Australasian Association as to where the cup will be defended Victoria will havo a claim, as it has a player in the team; Now Zealand will also have the same olaim, 'and on oxtra one, as it was the body to suggest and call tha conference re sending a team to England. New South Walea may get tho chance, as the headquarters of the Australasian Association iB at 'Sydney. Still, the' "gate" may bo a question of importance — as it always is with every sport now. The Sydney Cricket Ground, or tho M.C.C. ground in Melbourne, would not show any great amount of profit, as the members of those grounds would have free entry, and there are some thousands of members in both cases. Now Zealand would no doubt give better results, and possibly ; also the lime of year — January or February — in which the matches would be played would advance this colony's chance. Still, we will know all) about it in a week or two.