DAVIS CUP

Evening Star, Issue 18048, 16 August 1922, Page 5

DAVIS CUP

FRANCE-AUSTRALIA CONTEST. According to a cable published in the Auckland ‘Star’ on Saturday, but which did not roach Dunedin, G. L. Patterson contributes the following review on the Thursday’s play, exclusive to the Australian and New Zealand Press tion:“All of us were shocked by the bad news of Anderson’s attack of influenza. He had a temperature of 102d'eg, which left mo in the unfortunate position of having to play Wood in the singles, when he was really not in fit condition. His arm, though responding well to treatment and rest, left Pat rather short of practice, so wo went into the match realising the seriousness of the situation. This probably made mo too cautious, and after a, hard struggle I lost the first set. I soon saw where my attack against Gobert lay, but I was prevented from effectuating it by remarkable variation required in playing Gobert’s service, which always left me lucky to bo able to send his sendee into the court. I was soon in the unenviable position of being two sets down. After dropping my service in the second set, due to Gobert’s well-placed returns, I managed, however, to take the third set by driving straight at Gobert’s body, preventing his free swing and passing drives. Gobert tired in the fourth sot, and as I realised the serious position if I lost this set, I fought my hardest, my service winning out. I was a shade fresher than Gobert, who was struggling against cramp and fatigue ; but he played gamely. The fifth set was the real climax to an exciting match, in which I was rather lucky to emerge victorious. “ Wood dropped the first set after catching up following the loss of four games. Putting on spikes ho did bettor, winning the second set. Then tiring a little, since the sting was going out of his hand, Wood dropped the third set to love. After a. rest ho returned to the attack for all ho was worth, and ultimately took the fourth set, but it required a good deal of his energy. Cocheb is noted for his cool demeanor and wonderful stamina. The games in the next set see-sawed, Wood losing tho set after being many times within a point of being winner of tho decisive game. Cocheb played remarkable tennis. This match was far better than the first match, being full of wonderful fast rallies. ‘ “ Our position to-night is none too good. We must go all out for the doubles tomorrow, on which the final result may hinge. Wood and I will bo tiro doubles team,.since there is no chance of Anderson playing again for a week at least.” [The Auasies won the doubles on Friday and tho remaining singles on Monday, thus winning the contest by four games to one.]