DAVIS CUP

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 31 July 1928, Page 5

DAVIS CUP

STRUGGLE FOR THE TROPHY.

FRENCH WIN DOUBLES. SOME DRAMATIC CHANGES. Paired Press Association— -By Electric Telegraph - Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) PARIS. July 29. Ten thousand spectators, a record for France, worked themselves into a frenzy over the D'avis Cup doubles match today, when Cochet and Borotra beait 1 i«l----den and; Hunter G—4, G— B, , —5, 4G, 6 2. Th 0r. 2 were many dramatic changes, as the battle waged to and fro. The. 140 minutes of fighting maintained a. marvelous level and rose on occasions to super heights, the players realising that the fate .of th.2 trophy practically depended -on the four,some. Though Americans scarcely hope to win both singles to-mariw, it is likely the iswue will hang out until the close. The eleventh hour change of Tl'lden and Hunter in place of Hennessey ami Lott unquestionably gave France a tougher mopsitioai, while the substitution of Cochet for Brugnou resulted ?a the pairing of the world’s greatest over head kittens. The Americans loblred frequently often keeping a rally alive by wonderful, recoveries, tossing the hall high again. The Frenchmen crashed one balil after another in the most sen- 1 satiiomal «t-vle. The spectators, standing up, cheered continuously, and revelled in the service of ace balls, Ti-.den’s acrobatic leaps and Hashing racquet work and Borotra’is. as wdl,l as Co-chet's, astonish in g interceptions at the net. It is no exaggeration to say filial Borotra. played the greatest game of the o ir. He won three service ,names in tbo third set, a,'!!-' actually to low, mainly by volleying strokes of magnificent character. Hun tor ’-1 game, whs typically good, but ho did not possess the hurricane weed of Til-den in his service deliveries. These virtually became the key to the French, victory. At an interval, although France led 2—l, Tilden remarked to a, friend: “It’s all right; we are going to win.” When the Americans got level by the capture of the fourth .set, it .seemed as though the apparently impossible was about to happen. The Frenchmen, however, played like insr«.red men arid tlie crowd’s excitement surpassed all tennis, bounds. The Frenchmen oiled up the no.int.s until the gamcn were 5 —2: Thousands cried “Sh!” as Hunter, toes to th? line, awaited in silence the last service of the game. Cochet returned the ball wide. Tilden faulted and Borotra leaped wine ana crashed the half direct, hitting Tilden a resounding 'thuinn. The croud yelled for a fidt hfi f-minuto. The Americans gained the next point with startling Volleying. Then there was brilliant duelling, in wh.icln Hunter was forced out of position and Borotra fl'.shied, the ball down the centre.. Borotra then registered a clean, winner returning the- service. It, was match point 15—40. Hunter netted the Ir.st ha!. and France virtually saved the Da.vis Cup. FRANCE RETAINS THE CUP. COOHET DEFEATS TILDEN.

(Australian Press Association—United Service.) Received 10.30 a.m. to-day.

PARIS, July 30. Tn the Davis Cup singles, Ooehet defeated Tilden. 9—7, -8 0, G 4. Laeoste defeated Hennessey 4 —G, o—l,0 —I, 7 o—3. France therefore wins the Davis -Cup.