DAVIS CUP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 1 September 1923, Page 5

DAVIS CUP

BRILLIANT TENNIS '

JOHNSTON WINS SINGLES

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association)

NEW YORK, Aug. 30 | The Australians and Americans are engaged in a final practice at Forest Hills for the Davis Cup confest. Great popular interest has been aroused. Ihe American doubles team has not yet been decided. NEW YORK, Aug. 31. Tho final round of the Da vis Cup began to-day at Forest Hill Courts between tho United States and Australia.

In the first set, Johnston, who had tho service aced Anderson twice and Anderson netted three times. Johnston won 4—2. Anderson took the second game

to love. Johnston, playing to Anderson's backhand, drove the Australian into errors and the American won the third

game at 4—2. But Anderson showed that his backhand was one of the most powerful strokes in ids repertoire, and also won the fourth!* 4—2, catching Johnston in raid-court with hard drives. Johnston won the fifth, —3, Anderson having difficulties in returning his opponent’s service. Anderson won the sixth game 4—l, again frustrating Johnston’s efforts against his backhand. The Australian by some remarkable forehand volleying and stop-volleying that broughtthe crowd to- its feet, broke- through Johnston’s service in the seventh game when the score stood at thirty love against him, and won it at 6—3. But he weakened and Johnst-on look the eighth

4—2. Both, men indulged in tactics in ,the next game, each trying to catch his opponent oft' the* mark bv ' change of pace. With tricky s t op : col leys Johnston proved a trifle better and won the ninth 4—l. Anderson now suffered,' unexpected and serious slowing up permitting Johnston to run away with the tenth, game, the American breaking through the Australian's service and winning the! game to. love and set—six games against four. j

| In tho second set Anderson’s disconcerting play in the first set, seemed forgotten when he began to show sparkling tennis, all his strokes working well, and .he won the first game 4—2, breaking -throught Johnston’s service. He then

' again dropped in quality, Johnston breaking through his service'and driving so hard on the returns of service that the Australian could not. handle them. The American won the second game, 4—2, hub Anderson took the third on liis opponents service. Johnston at this point was playing badly,, driving out or netting all the returns. "Anderson continued his brilliant playing and won the the fourth —love on service. He then showed tennis such os has never been seen in this, season or for many years past, for after | Johnston stood 40 love on service, An- j derson scored four placements and won; the fifth game 5—3. Anderson dropped the sixth" by double faulting twice and driving out on easy shots. Johnston won the sixth 4—2. Anderson, despite errors, continued to play such magnificently brilliant tennis that the spectators were continuously on their feet cheering. He ! broke through Johnston’s service in the j seventh game, winning it 4—2, and de- j spite double faulting twice in the eighth j game, he served ace and forced John-

ston to the net by a cleverly placed shot. He won this game 4—3 and the set—six games against two. In the third set, Johnston showed Ins ability to come back ,after being shattered by his opponent’s good play. 'J he American now played with cool, sc-iions intent, placing his shots with uncanny precision. Ho won tho first g.-me <5 —3, driving close to the lines and making the Australian strain l’or

impossible recoveries. Anderson won tho second game 4—l. After double fruiting by imitating his opponent’s earo in placing shots and catching, Johnston was in tho same predicament-. Tho latter, however, made his service count by sending a ball over l.ke a cannon shot and won the third game. Then by clever placements, ho broke through Anderson's service, winning the fourth love. In this lie outplayed the Australian. Anderson then came to the fore with some more of his sparkling play, winning the fifth 5—3, on his opponent’s service after the latter stood 40— love against him. It was most remarkable to note how both players alternately reached the heightha and depths of tennis—at one moment unbeatable—then they lapse and become astoundingly weak. Johnston walked through Anderson’s service, winning the sixth 4—2 and the seventh 4—l, serving two aces and making placement'. The American won the eighth off Anderson’s service—love. It was heart-breaking to see the Australian stand helpless before the American’s shrewd placements and hard drives. The American won the set. —six games against two.

(Exclusive to Australian Press Assn.)

NEW YORK, Aug. 31. In the Anderson v. Johnston match both started well olf the mark, driving hard from the baqkline. . The games went with tho service to three all. Anderson in particular driving brilliantly to tho forehand. Johnston seemed slightly out of touch in tho middle of;the set, and Anderson broke through his service in the seventh game, tho American netting the backhand. Johnston, however, recovered form, driving deep to Anderson’s backhand and following into the net, ipllcying decisively, ho won the next three games and tho set.

NEW YORK. August 31. Tilden defeated Ha.wkes, 6—4, 6—2 6—l.

In the doubles to-morrow -Tilden and Williams will play Anderson and Hawkes.