TENNIS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1929, Page 5

TENNIS

United Press Association.—ByElectn Telegraph.—Copyrigb t.)

PARIS, July 27

In the Davis Cup doubles final, Al-

lison and Vanryn (U.S.A.), beat Cochet and Borotra (France), 6/1, 8/6. 6/4. France made a super-excellent start in the Davis Cup, in perfect weather. 'Borotra’s agility was the deciding factor against Lott. The Frenchman took the first set in next to no time, but when Lott shod his initial nervousness, he gave as good as ho got. The American had the advantage in service, and also utilised it a lot, adding a cunning slice which frequently made them certain winners. Borotra, however, was never driven from the -net where he was most effective. Lott displayed extraordinary tenacity in the second set, but the third was the crux. Borotra, beginning badly, lost his service, and the vast crowd was exceedingly excited until the position was four, games all. The Frenchman then speeded up and completely out-manoeuvred Lott, whose backhand drives failed at the critical moments. PARIS, July 27. In the final set, Borotra concentrated on an early break through and led 2/0, hut he was beginning to tire. Lott seized the chance, and aimed his service and returns cunningly at Borotra’s feet, and thus gained the lead 4/3, but a final assault on the American’s Iback-hand, and superlative volleying by Borotra won him four games in succession, ending with a love game to win the match.

Tn the contest between Cochet and Tilden', the American began with can-non-ball strokes, and incredible retrieves, hut Cochet returned everything until the utmost nonchalance the Frenchman increasing the pace in the second set, when “Big Bill” seemed outclassed, whereas Cochet was faultless. Tilden was erratic, and the result was never in doubt. It was all over in 50 minutes.

It is not complimentary to Cochet to say that Tilden was playing (badly. He was playing well enough to reveal a champion’s armoury. Unlike at Wimibledon, Tilden was not missing easy balls, but when lie essayed a promising stroke he found an opponent with effortless ease reduce it to futility. Tilden’s mind appeared an open book to Cochet. The American, who used every variation of strategy and stroke failed to take the Frenchman’s confidence and heart-breaking accuracy.

PARIS, July 28

For the Davis Cup Tilden beat Borotra,'4/6, 6/1, 6/4, 7/5. Cochet beat Lott 6/1, 3/6, 6/0, 6/1. Even though everyone realised that Cochet would again clinch the Davis Cup, it was a tense day, more so when the dashing, resourceful Tilden conquered the tired Borotra. After the first set Tilden began headlong mighty slams and spoiled Borotra’s academic volleying and made him run from side to side in pursuit of lightning drives, that gradually wore down the Frenchman. '

Cochet’s win against Lott was childsplay. The champion had a sluggish spell in the second set, yet cool as Lott kept, and excellent as were his drives and services and his soreness on the back-hand, Cochet played him like an angler and took eight successive games. Cochet returned seemingly unplayable shots and lobbed with great accuracy his c,ross-court drives disconcerting. France won The Davis Cup by three games to two.