COCHET IN PHILIPPINES

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 155, 28 December 1935, Page 19

COCHET IN PHILIPPINES

An army of Frenchmen—consisting of Henri Cochet—came, saw, and conquered Manila early this season. He played, a week's series of exhibition matches against the best Filipino amateurs and professionals, winning all, and giving a demonstration of racket wizardry and superlatively fine footwork that cannot but be educational in. a great degree to all players who saw him, says "Lawn Tennis." Cochet was brought to Manila by the Philip-, pine Islands L.T.A., which arranged and handled all the matches. The opening • contest against Leonardo. Gavia, jun., Philippine singles, All-Comers, and Metropolitan champion, was a sellout, the Rizal Memorial Tennis Stadium being, packed to its capacity of over 6500. Gavia, who conquered E. F.Moon, of Australia, in the final of the All-Comers early this year, did well to get eight games in the three sets, despite the fact that Cochet had disembarked but a few hours previously after a steamer trip "down from Hong Kong.- •■ Cochet, who was accompanied byMrs. Cochet, had been on his tour about eight months and up to his arrival in Manila had lost only two sets in' that' period. Francisco ; Aragon, Filipino professional, former Philippines, singles and doubles' champion arid Davis Clip player, gave Cochet his sternest opposition- and boosted" the Frenchmen's; lost-set score" to three when they played on October 2. He also forced Cochet to extend himself to win in their second meeting on October.: 5 by scores of 7-5, 8-6, 6t4. : Iri k .:addition;itp.vpjaying..Aragon and Gavia,- Cochet met 'Mariano Seryillon, amateur; Juanitb" Gavia, Leonardo's younger brother, amateur,1 and Rogue Yngayo, professional; former national champion. He also played in a couple of doubles matches, paired with Mauricio Zamora. AH his matches, both singles-'and doubles, except the first against Aragon, were won in straight sets. . -■-•.■,-•,.. '■ .■ s He left Manila on October 8 for the provinces—Ttfegros, Iloilo, and Cebu having arranged' for exhibition matches. He was accompanied by Aragon. and by. several .amateur players .who" v were sent by' the Philippine Islands L.T.A. .to spread" the gospel of good tennis. .Cochet sailed, on October 23-for Hong Kong and Shanghai, accompanied by Francisco Aragon. While the opposition offered in Manila was not such as. to call, into use a sustained demonstration of his full powers, nevertheless', it . was . stiff enough-'to make'him at times show the speed of which he'is- capable. Although he is'not a sensational type of player, his performances were greeted by very enthusiastic applause. His net attack and volleying were undoubtedly the best ever:seen, in Manila, nor has his fluency of foot: ever been equalled there. .