TENNIS.

Evening Star, Issue 12868, 18 July 1906, Page 3

TENNIS.

[Bt Smasher.]

Our London correspondent write under date Juno 1 : Those who repaired to Snrbiton last Saturday (May 26) in the hope of seeing S. H. Smith (the holder) and A. F. Wilding contest the final of the Surrey Tennis Singles Championship were doomed to disappointment, for Wilding scratched in order to be able to meet we parents, who were arriving from New Zealand that afternoon. Wilding, with Risely, had also reached the final of the Doubles Championship, and the New Zealander's absence left M'Nanr and Prebble with a "walk over" instead of their having to face what was almost certain defeat. From a glimpse of the American team att practice it is possible to gain some idea of their form, although none of the men have yet quite shaken off the effects of their sea journey. Reals Wright, has not yet been on view at the nete owing to his injured hand, which is, however, making rapid recovery. Of the three others Kreigh Collins excites the greatest interest. He is an extremely aggressive player, gifted with what moat- American " cracks " lack—a complete repertoire of back-court strokes. One of these is especially effective. It is a fine, low, backhand drive, which whip 6 the ball across the court and pitches it near the side-line, anywhere between the service-line and the base-lino. Collins makes a similar stroke with his fore-hand, bat with less speed. The other new-comer in the team, Raich D. Little, is probablv the weakest nam of the four, but he has a peculiarly tricky service, which is calculated to baffle all but the very best English players. Hk cross-«trokes are rather of the " gallery" order, and he is rather weak " low down." But he can smash crisply when opportunity serves, and will doubtless " come on" with practice. Holcombe Ward is as "tricky*' as ever, precise and punishing in the voDey. and still fond of the elusive short-drop; nor has he forgotten Ws trick of making the ball bounce bade instead of forward. Perhaps Ward is inclined to sacrifice a little steadiness for brilliancy; his goal is the winning shot every time, scientifically executed—not necessarily a fast ball, but a ball that curls screws and defies return. If only Ward had more stamina he would probablv be the most versatile and the most successful lawn tennis Dlaver in the world. He and Collins should make a grand -"air, brat T nresome Ward and Wright wiTl be the order of the dav. providing the latter nk.yer can find his form ere the Davis Cap competitions come on. —.June 9. The first skirmish in the Davis Cup competition took place at Newport on June 7, when the American and Australasian representatives met to decide which should meet England for the possession of the international tennis trophy. Beak Wright being unable to play, in consequence of blood-poison : ng ensuing or. a serious out to his right hand caused through trying to open a soda waiter bottle with a tooth brush, America's tennis honor was defended by Holcombe Ward and Raymond Little, to whom Australia opposed A. F. Wilding and L. 0. S. Poidevm, the Austral-Lan-castrian cricketer. Ward "took on" PoidWin, and at finst looked like winning very easily indeed. Poidevm, who is sadly short of practice in first class terrnis, was a long tune getting into his stride, and was easily beaten m the first set by 6 to 2. He, however, made a bold bid for victory in the second, taking Ward's jrazzling services in an admirable manner, and keeping the American at full stretch with some beautiful cross shots and side line shots. Ward, however, was the better aD-rotrnd player, and, placing with greater accuracy than Poidevin, won the sot at 6—4. In the third, the Australian made a great fight of it, and a dozen games were necessary before Ward ran out a winner at 7—5, thus securing first Wood for America by three sets to love and 19 games to 11. . Considering bow Tittle Poidevin has done in first class tennis this summer, he made a really grand show against his redoubtable rival. He has, without doubt, the makings of a great tennis player, and after a month's play in first class company will be a formidable opponent for the best men in the business at present. In Raymond Little, Wilding was, so to speak, meeting "an unknown quantity." By common consent, Little has been reckoned the weakest of the American players. He comd not hold Wilding.at all in the first- set of their match, and was beaten easily by 6 games to 2. Then he set Ms teeth and went "all out." His service proved a source of trouble to Wilding. For twelve games there was little to choose between the players, but after " 6 all * had been called Wilding's superior accuracy and stamina served to give him victory in a punishing set at B—6. All the steel was taken out of Little by this time, and the third set sot Wilding an easy victor by 6 games to 1, and the match "by three setsi to love and 20 games to 9. Thus Australasia levelled up matters, and, indeed, got a lot the best of the exchanges, seeing that her representatives won 31 games out of the 59 played in the two matches. Wilding certainly played one of hfo very best games against Little. His vigor and determdnfition were, as usual, much in evidence, and he was far steadier than usual, whilst his placing was much more accurate than is generally the caf«. On Friday Wflding and Poidevin facea Ward and Little m the Doubles, and met with defeat by three sets to love and 19 games to 11. The Americans won because they not only showed superior individual cleverness and accuracy, but combined much better than their opponents. Their generalship was, moreover, superior, and they were quick to detect and take advantage of an opponent's weakness. Ward quickly discovered that Wilding did not like a particular sort of service, and beat the New Zealander with it more often than was agreeable to the onlookers with Australasian sympathies. The Americans, moreover, pfTsis'ently lobbed, and thus played on Poidevin's weakness in overhead work to their own advantage. Wilding, though at times- exhibiting fine form, was much leas- accurate in placing the ball than he had been the day previously, and ho. fell away considerably after the first set. - Poidevin improved as his partner fell off," and did a lot of clever work, but his returns were often, of the softest description.

On the whole, however, he played wonderfolly weil, considering his lack of practice. The. result of the contest is- that the Americans enter upon the final day and the concluding Singles competition with a point m hand, and unless Poidevin and Wilding both win their matches to-day Australasia cannot take further part in the DwiglrtV Davis Cup contest. The chances of, such a double victory appear rather remote, but Australasia's, position is by no means hopeless; for Poidevin, who improves every time he piays, may easily create a surprise bv beafeng Little, and Wilding and Ward seem fairly equally matched.