Lawn Tennis

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 52, 29 August 1925, Page 19

Lawn Tennis

(■V "HUKA"!

AUSTRALIA WINS

HARADA BEATS PATTERSON

MISS HELEN WILLS-CHAMPION.

Australia, by defeating Japan in the final of the American zone contest in the Davis Cup series of matches, qualifies to meet France to decide who will be the challenger against the United States Australia won four matches out of the five played—Patterson lost to Harada, as predicted in last weeks notes. Gerald Patterson playing the opening match, meeting Shimizu. Ihe latter cannot be the player he was a few years ago, otherwise Patterson would not have scored such an easy victory, as the score—6-1, 6-4, 6-2—denotes. The first set was over in eleven minutes, and the one game that the Australian lost wai on hi 3 own errors. The Jap pressed in the second eet, and the score was called "2-all," but in the fifth game Patterson captured his opponent's- service and led 3-2." The game 3 then went with the service, which gave the Australian the set in the tenth game at 6-4. The third set was easily Patterson's all the way, and ho should have been abl<> to win 6-1, when within a, point of game, set, and match, in the seventh game. Shimizu is seemingly still as game as ever, as he fought hard for every r)int, but Patterson clinched the match 2, off his service in the eighth game Patterson's wirr appears to be quite satisfactory, excepting that it is not good news to hear that the Australian, made frequent errors through being over cautious. If- that was so against Shimizu, what is to be expected when he is opposed to Lacoste or Borotra ? ■ J. O. Anderson beat Harada 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. The first set appears to havo been a very close struggle, more especially so when it is seen that Harada captured his opponent's service in the fourth and sixth games. The cabled details are not too clear, but it would appear that Anderson led 3-love, but Harada then took three games in succession, and made it 3-all, but he lost the seventh game on his service, which gave Anderson a lead of 4-3. Anderson, with his service, won the eighth game and led 5-3, but Harada prolonged the set by winning on his own service, only to see Anderson do likewise, and run out a winner of the set, 6-4. Harada must have played splendidly in the second set to capture it 6-3. The score was called 2-all, both players scoring their service games, ami Harada led 3-2, with his service in the fifth game. Ho had the match in hand when he captured Anderson's service in the sixth gamo and led 4-2. Anderson made his effort to save the set by talcing Harada's service in the seventh game, but the Jap again broke through into a winning position by taking Anderson's service game to lead 5-3. Harada won a love game on his own service, and the set, 6-3. The score was now one set all. Harada had a great chance of winning the third set when he captured Anderson's service game, and let 2-1, but the Australian came away with a great spurt and took four games >in succession, and led 5-2. Harada then won on his service, but Anderson did likewise, in the ninth game, and won the set 6-3. Anderson now led by 2 sets to 1. Anderson took Harada's service in the third game of the fourth set, and led 2-1. That was the beginning of the end, as Anderson won the next four games in quick order, and the set was his at 6-1, and the match by 3 sets to 1, 21 games to 14. Anderson played brilliantly, but had occasional lapses which cost him games. Against Lacoste such lapses may be fatal. Patterson and Hawkes beat Shimizu and Harada in the doubles, 6-1, 6-2, 9-7, and by that win have come out as victors in the American zone contest. The Australians won the first and second sets very easily, but owing to Hawkes dropping his service in the third set, the Japs led, 2-1. The Australians quickly evened matters by capturing the next game, and although each side had a chance after capturing one another's service games, the score went along evenly to 7-all. Hawkes then won his service^ game, and Shimyiu failing to hold his the set was won by, the Australians, 9-7, and the match a« well. The remaining two singles were played, Hawkes meeting M. Fukuda, and beating him, 6-1, 6-3, 6-0. In the final of the 1923 American zone contest Hawkea beat Fukuda, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. That year Fukuda was playing very ■well and took a set off Anderson, although the latter beat him, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. It is possible, of course, that Hawkea has improved greatly since the 1923 contest. As expected, Patterson went down, and badly for him, to Harada, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 7-5. It is not good reading, as Patterson appears to have thrown away the match in the early stages, and'when he tried to even matters in the fourth set could not overcome the hardy Jap. i Patterson depends upon winning his j service games,, yet in the first set he I dropped his services in the third and j fifth games, which gave the Jap the ! lead, 4-1. Game's then went with the I servica, and the Jap won tho set in the eighth game, off his service, 6-2. Patterson won the second set, 6-3., and it is cabled that he concentrated to do it. Surely a player of Patterson's reputation should have done so in all the sets. He was sent out as a representative at Australia's expense, and should have been keen to win. In the third set he seemingly did not concentrate, and his big asset, his service, failed ■ again. Harada, keen to win no doubt, ; never dropped his services, and scored | a win, 6-1. Patterson, too late, tried to make it two sets all by winning the fourth set. The games ran to 5-alI, but again Patterson's service failed, and Harada holding his service game won the-set, 7-5, and the match. | Australians Tuning Up. I This match against Japan may have ■ tuned the Australians up for their more severe test against the French team. ; Anderson, as well aa Patterson, will require to be in the very (jest of form and ■ condition to get home against Lacoste j and Borotra. It can also be said that ! the Frenchmen will have to be at their i beat, otherwise the Australians will call the tune, and it will be of such merit that only a player in the best of form nnd condition will be able to play up to it. Neither team will have, an advantage as far as the courts or balls aro concerned, and as the Australian nnd French players dearly love fast and true courts it is to bo hoped tho dry weather continues, so that the teat may bo held under favourable conditions. Possibly heavy courts would trouble the Frenchmen, but Anderson would also hit trouble, as he favours ground shots more than does Patterson. He depends, more on his overhead shots, ■ and when his eye is truly is in he is unplayable, but it. does not take much to put him off his concentration, and once he starts to slump his game becomes very ordinary for a player with such splendid pact performance*. .Unlou tho

French players have been overrated by those who have written them up this year, it would appear that Anderson and Co. will have a very hard task before them. Yet the writer believes that Anderson can and will win both of his singles, and that Patterson and Hawkes should win the doubles. It is almost certain that Lacoste will beat Patterson, but the latter has a fighting chance against Borotra.. Australia should win by 3 matches to S. The final of the two zones will be played between Australia and France at New York, on 3rd, 4th, and sth September. The Challenge Round. The challenge round will be played between the United States' defending team, and the surviving team of twenty-six challenging nations, at the Gqrmantown Cricket Club's Courts, Manheim, Philadelphia, on 10th, 11th, and 12th September. The challenging team must be either that of Australia or France, the former, of course, being the -writer's choice. Already the seating accommodation is being rushed, and a very big gate is already assured. A box, which seats six persons, costs a shade over £20, a seat for the three days runs to 335, and one-day seats are to be sold at about 13s. The single-day tickets are not on sale until the opening day of play. Preference in the sale of tickets was to be given to members of clubs affiliated with the United States Lawn Tennis Association up to 18th August, and the sale of tickets to the general public was to open on 20th August. The visiting team that reaches the challenge round may this year share with the United States a very fine gate. Mist Helen Wills Wins. Although the English team did so well against the United States lady players in the Wightman Cup contest, yet looking at the contest, as cabled, it is not convincing as a trial of team strength. On the English side Misses M'Kane and Fry played two singles, as did Mrs. Mallory and Miss Wills on the, American side. Mrs. Lambert Chambers met Miss Goss, and seemingly that was the only singles these two players played. England won the two doubles, and it would appear that the English team secured the victory by winning two singles and two doubles, to three singles. Miss Wills won both of her singles, beating Misa Fry, 6-0, 7-5, and Miss M'Jfane, 6-1, 1-6, 9-7. In the Singles National Championship, which has just been concluded, Miss Fry did much better against Miss Wills than she did in the international match, and caused a sensation by taking the first set, 6-4, from the American champion. After that Miss Wills steadied and won the following sets 6-0, 6-3. Miss M'Kane played a great match against Miss Ryan, who was expected to meet Miss Wills in the final. Miss Ryan won the opening set, but the English champion evened, and going on, took the third set 6-2. In the semi-final Miss M'Kane . had a closer call, when she met Mrs. Mallory. The latter was American champion in 1915, 1916, 1918, 1920, 1921, and 1922, and she is the only player who has defeated Mile. Lenglen since the war. It was at Forest Hills in the National Championship of 1921 that she secured the win from the famous Suzanne. Mrs. Mallory took the first set .6-4, from Miss M'Kane, but the latter with great daring evened in the second set with a 7-5 win. ' The third act must have been a glorious struggle, and twice Mrs. Mallory had match point, but the English player staked her all on her net attack, and successfully turned what looked a lost match into a glorious victory, by winning the set, 8-6. Miss M'Kano scored 19 games to 17. In the final Miss Wills was expected to defeat Miss M'Kane easily, and when she led 3-1. it appeared a foregone conclusion, but a change came and Miss M'Kane took five games in succession to win the set, 6-3. The second and third sets went to Miss Wills at 6-0, 6-2, and the championship was hers for the third time in succession. The cable indicates that the score does not tell the true story of the match, which was a thrilling duel from start to finish. Evidently the first and third sets were the most brilliant. Miss Helen Wills will be twenty years of age in October of this year. She learnt her tenrim at the Berkley Club, in California, and was girl champion of the United States when fifteen, while the same year she won tho Pacific Coast Championship Singles. She won the National Singles when seventeen, beating Miss M'Kane in the third round, and Mrs. Mallory, the .holder, in the final. The same year she beat Miss M'Kane in the international match. Last year at Wimbledon Miss M'Kane beat Miss Wills in the final, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. How Miss Wills lost that match at Wimbledon will always remain a mystery. After taking the first set 6-4, she led 4-1, and in the sixth game was four times ■ within a point of making the score 5-1 in her favour, but Miss M'Kane continued to attack, and gradually won the upper hand. She took five games in succession, and squared the sets. The third set was also a close one, but Miss Wills appeared to be somewhat troubled over losing the second set, and although she played well Miss M'Kane played better and won the set 6-4, and the match. Mrs. ' Lambert Chambers who first won the Wimbledon Championship Singles in 1903, had a great win from Miss GosSj 7-5, 3-6, 6-1, in the international match, but the latter defeated the English player in the National S. ingles Championship. Mrs.. Chambers woud no doubt feel the strain of tournament matches day after day, as do Mrs. Bundy (nee May Sutton), and also Miss Mary Browne. Mrs. Bundy, when Miss May Sutton, won the National Singles in 1904, her only win, and Mis Browns was champion in 1912, 1913, and 1914".