TENNIS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 September 1924, Page 7

TENNIS

DAVIS CUP DOUBLES. 4Y CABLE— PBB3P ASSOCIATION- -COPYBIGF Received Sept. 6, 10.45 a.m. NEW YORK, Sept. 5 In the Davis Cup the first set in the doubl.es opened with Lacoste serving, when Patterson pulled liis service out in the fourth and the Australians smashed. Laeoste’s service in the seventh was definitely shaping itself, and Patterson was still having trouble. The Frenchman aimed his service with a peculiar cut, compelling Patterson to receive it on the backhand or turn awkwardly to receive it on the forehand. Patterson’s service, moreover, offered few puzzles to the Frenchmen. Wood, with evenly balanced playing, provided protection against the Frenchmen’s shrewdly calculated placements and forcing shots. The Australians ran out winners ,of the set by 6—4. In the second set a speedily driven ball from Brugnon’s racquet in the first ganie caught Wood “in the solar plexus, depriving him of his wind for nearly five minutes. Th Australian resumed play after a rest, and he and Patterson took the next game, breaking through Brugnon’s service. All the games in which Patterson was serving had gone to deuce, and he was having trouble with all his shots save when overhead opportunities offered at the net. Then his kills were sensational. He was playing keenly and trying his hardest, showing an improvement over yesterday’s form. Brugnon was the backbone of the French team, making many placements by driving the ball twice to the same spot and catching the opponent by his pace. Lacoste was not so keen as yesterday, but still showed ability to compel errors by finding his opponent’s weak spots. Patterson lost his service in the sixth, and the score was three all. Lacoste lost his service in the seventh, and the Australians won the set 6—4. Neither team played brilliantly. At the > beginning of the third set Lacoste lost the sendee in the first game and Wood failed similarly in the .second. * Errors predominated and the ball was kept little in play. Brugnon lost the service in the third game, Patterson winning the fourth, his service working perfectly. Brugnon again lost the service in the seventh, and the Australians led 5 —2. Patterson found his service jeopardised in the eighth game, but be manfully pulled it out 6—4. and the Australians won the set--2.6 —2. The French were hardly a. match for the Australians in the doubles, nevertheless the fact that Patterson was off form made the Australians’ task harder.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. >