DAVIS CUP

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 10095, 7 September 1925, Page 5

DAVIS CUP

AUSTRALIA AND FRANCE CONTEST SEMI-FINAL.

COMPETITION OPENS WITH SINGLES.

PATTERSON BEATS LACOSTE,

ANDERSON GOES DOWN BEFORE BOROTRA. •UNITED PEESS ASSOCIATION (OPYEIGHT! (Reuter’s Telegram.) NEW YORK, ept. 4. Patterson defeated Lacoste, C—.‘l, 6—4, 6—2. Borotra. defeated Anderson, 6—4. 6 — 3, B — 6. In the first set Patterson opened with deadly serving. He went to game-—love on two service aces and two forced errors, and repeated tlie performance in the fifth game. Meantime Lacoste managed to win his service games. Tlie first break came in the sixth game, when Lacoste was forced to jceld his service, after the lengthiest of rallies, giving Patterson a lead of four games to tw.o, which with his next service he increased to 5 —2; Patterson’s backhand was splendid, and keeping his opponent under continuous bombardment, be won the first set 6—3.

(A. and N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, Sept. 4.

In the second hea.t Lacoste was unperturbed. He attacked with great aggressiveness, but was not able to do more than win his own service games. Patterson’s attack was still too formidable. The Australian’s back-hand stroke grew a. bit uncertain, but his tremendous service, _ crisp volleying, and incomparable “kills” of lobs continually checked Lacoste. Power triumphed over control, Patterson playing the best tennis shown this season. Service on the seventh game was sufficient for Patterson to win the set. 6—4.

The third set was the longest of the match arid developed at the opening, Patterson finally breaking the service after six deuces. Lacoste rallied brilliantly, gauged the sidelines to a nicety, retaliating with a break in the second game, and raised French hopes in the third by taking the lead for the first time in the match; but the hope proved a fleeting one. The Australian rushed through the next two games to love ; won the next two for a cad of 5 —2, ard ended the match in the eighth. Getting terrific speed in to the service he von, 6—2. Patterson won on the sheer power of his service, and common ball drives. Lacoste was helpless before the’ terrific power of his opponent’s attack. He was unable 'to approach the net, where he is usually most effective. His defeat is deemed a staggering setback for France.

BOROTRA-ANDERSON GAME

AUSTRALIAN CHEERED FOR DETERMINED STAND.

FRENCHMAN PROVES TOO GOOD

(A. and N.Z. Cable Association.', NEW YORK, Sept. 4. Borotra started well against Anderson, taking the first two games. .Un--like Lacoste, who played entirely from the back court. Borotra stormed the net from the opening rallv. and continued to hold the early advantage, giving a lead of 4—2. Anderson was having trouble to control his strokes, many drives finding the net. Borotra was forcing him to hurry the strokes. The Frenchman broke the service a second time in the seventh game, leading by 5 —2. Borotra was within a point of taking the set three times in the eighth game, only to be checked as Anderson steadied. found corners, and raced the Frenchman to win the game. Anderson took the ninth, but Borotra clinched matters in the tenth, winning bv 6—4.

In the second set Borotra again broke service and gained the lead, 2—o. He still aggressively forced a way to the net, astonishing the spectators bv outstaying the Australian in driving exchanges. When Borotra led 4—l Anderson bestirred himself, and showed the kind of tennis expected from him. He took two games, but the spurt was short-lived. The Australian contributed distressing errors and dropped the next two games. His poor control and lack of speed baffled the critics and Borotra took the set 6—3. Ira the third set Anderson’s tennis continued streaky. He could not settle down to consistent control. Borotra was st : ll aggressive and took the lead. 3—l. The Australian began taking chances in the next two games and succeeded by brilliant passes in taking the score to three all, when Borotra halted him and moved ahead, 5 —3. Anderson broke the Frenchman’s service in the ninth. Borotra was within the point of winning the match three times in the tenth game, hut dropped four points in a row as Anderson tightened up and made the score even —five all. The Australian was cheered vociferously for his determined stand, which only served to delay defeat. Borotra clinching his triumph in the fourteenth game, taking the set, B—6.

SENSATIONAL CONTEST IN THE DOUBLES. AUSTRALIANS DEFEATED. (A. AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received Sept. 6, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. o. Ip. the Davis- Cup doubles Lacoste and Borotra defeated Patterson and Ha mines G —4, 3 —6, 6—4, 1 fa, 10 Hawkes had intended to stay out of the doubles, as he injured his back playing last week, but the desire of the Australians to win the advantflgc to-day brought liim in the place of Anderson. . . . In the first set Lacoste, opening the service, won the game with tlie aid of two retrievable smashes by Bm’otra. The Australians had to work hard to ft wir the second game, chiefly because of t\vo double faults bv Patterson A service break followed. As the Australians pounded the sor\ice returns at Borotra’s feet Hawkes took the fourth game at love, forcing errors with his sharp breaking service, and the score was three one in the Australians’ favor. The advantage was of brief duration. Hawkes ran into a streak of wild hitting that helped the French to win three games m a row including a break through 1 atterson’s service. The Australians were being outsteadied if not outgeneralled. The French maintained the upper hand and won the set b —i. The tenth game was marked bv another loss of Patterson’s service, lmis far play was greatly below international calibre. Hawkes and Patterson, having trouble with their control. The second sot- like the first began in rather mediocre style. Strate~> was at a. minimum and it was most.y a. slugging exhibit. The Frenc-hmen continued to play more stead*y - hat the score- went to 2 all. the Austaa ums winning their service games attar deuce points. Finally in t >ft same there came a break tlumW Borotra’s service, which sniftered t o double faults, and paved the wai for the Australians’ lead of 4—;2. Heie the Australians gave an .” 1(ll ®^° 1 V having struck their stride and won two of the next three games indg ive fashion, smashing and lobbm with abandon. Borotra cosedthe set with another double fault, the Australians winning G—3. In the third set play began to scintillate, with sensational recoveries and sparkling .rallies. The gallorv o 5000 was at last being treated to a chainoionship brand of doubles. Aite r the games had gore to two all Hawkes dropped the service toc t.be fu-st time in tlie match. The French

assumed. the lead which they brought to 4—2. Then Lacoste’s service was broken’through for tho first time, and the score was brought- to 4 all. The next two games witnessed .the mostspirited play of the match. Both were won by the Frenchmen, who stormed the net determinedly, bringing off spectacular kills. Hawkes was forced to yield the service. The Australians, with their backs against the wall, lobbed back six of Borotra’s smashes before the French won the game and the set, 6—4. In the fourth set an unfortunate accident occurred. When the games were I all, during a sharp volleying duel at the net, Borotra was struck on the temple' by a terrific smash off Patterson’s racquet at close range. The Frenchman was felled and was unable to play for ten minutes, after which ho appeared rone the worse for the mishap. He fought with his usual nimbleness during the rest of tho set. Poor control overhead, however, cost him the service game and gave the Australians a 3 —l lead. Borotra continued erratic play, making two errors on game points, and the Australians won the set, 6—l. In the final set the match was still nobody’s when games were G-a.lI. Them they went to 7-all and the crowd was tense. Two swiftly-played games with serve the all important factor and the score was 8 all. The end came in the eighteenth game on a break through Hawke’s service, the Frenchman winning 10—8 after being at match pointfor the sixth time.

The Australians had made a greatstand against a team of youths who played truly brilliant tennis. In a one set exhibition singlesmatch, which was preceding the doubles, Johnston defeated Tilden, G—4. In an exhibition following the doubles Richards and Williams defeated Anderson and Alonzo, 6—o, 7 —6.