DAVIS CUP SEMI-FINAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18170, 16 August 1922, Page 9

DAVIS CUP SEMI-FINAL

VICTORY FOR AUSTRALASIA.

FINAL TWO SINGLES WON.

WOOD DEFEATS GOBERT.

By TcleKranh —Press Association—Copyriehs. A. and N.Z. NEW YORK. Aug. 14.

By. winning the final two singles to-day Australasia defeated Franco in the Davis Cup semi-final, by four matches to one. P. O'Hara <Wood beat Gobert. 2—6, 6—2, 6—l. 6—4.

G. L. Patterson beat Gochet. 6—2;, 2—6, 6—4. 6—2. Wood began the first set, serving a winning game to Gobert, who only took one stroke. Gobert won the second to 30, and Wood the third to 15. Then Gobert, with a terrific attack, took the next five games, four to 30 and one to 15. capturing the set at 6—2. In the second set Gobert broke through Wood's defence, -winning the first game aiter deuce. The Australian then recovered, winning the second and third games to 30. Gobert won the next to 15, and then Wood had a great ran, winning the fifth and sixth to 15, and the seventh and eighth to love, thus taking the set at 6—2.

In the third set, Wood opened strongly, winning the first 'game to 15. Gobert won the to 30. and Wood the third to the same score. Wood was serving excellently, and got on to Gobert's sharp angle shots, which had baffled him in the first spell. Play varied from brilliant to mediocre, both players netting the ball frequently. Wood won the fourth game to 30, Gobert hitting the ball out of the court four times in succession. Wood won the fifth after detice, the sixth to 30, and the seventh to love, thus taking the set at 6—l. Heat Troubles the Frenchman. Gobert seemed weary as a result of the intensely hot sun during the third sot. but the rest benefited the Frenchman, who won the first three games in the fourth after deuce in the first game, and deuce twice in the succeeding games. Wood won the fourth game to 15, and Gobert the fifth to love. Both men were serving erratically, but Wood speeding up, won the sixth and seventh after deuce, the eighth to 15, the ninth to 30,. and the tenth to love, taking the set at 6—4. and with it the match.

Apart from Wood's startling comeback in the fourth set, -when he overcame a o—3 lead, beating Gobert by terrific service and steady placements, the match was seldom of the standard of the other games, and the Frenchman, seemingly bothered by the heat, went to pieces.

Cochet began the service in the second match against Patterson, winning the first game to 15. Patterson won the second after deuce had been called twice, Cochet the third after deuce, and Patterson the fourth aud fifth at the same score, the sixth to love, the seventh to 30, and the eighth after deuce had bean called five times, taking the set at 6—2. His smashing service completely baffled Cochet. Cochet's Burst of Brilliance. , In the second set Patterson won the first game to love, but Cochet made a' brilliant recovery, winning the next four games to 30, 50. 30 and after deuce. Patterson won the sixth after deuce had been called twice, but Uochet won the seventh to 30 and took ihe set by winning the eighth game to 15, 6—2. Cochet solved the problem of taking Patterson's fast deliveries in this set, outplaying the Australian with a series of brilliant backhand smashes. He began well in the third set, taking the first two games, the first to 30, and the second. to love, and then Patterson steadied up and took the third and fourth to 15. Cochet won the fifth is lore, and then Patterson won three *garoes in succession, the sixth to 30, the seventh after deuce, and the eighth to 30. Cochet won. the ninth .to 30, and Patterson winning the tenth to a similar score took the set, 6—4..

In the fourth set Cochet opened -with a win to 30. Then Patterson tool; five games in a row, to 30, deuce. 15, deuce twice and 15. Cochet won ihe seventh to 30, but with a love game in the eighth Patterson took the set and the match.

PATTERSON'S DESCRIPTION. FRENCHMAN AFFECTED BY HE Australian and N.Z. Cable Association!, (Reed. 8.5 p.m.) NEW, YORK, Aug. 14. The following review of She match is contributed to the Australian and New Zealand Press Association by G. L. Patterson :—Delightfully fine, though rather warm weather for the Frenchmen, favoured us on- the third day of play. The long break from Friday to Monday, allowed the Australasians to care for their various wounds, and Sunday found both Wood's shoulder and Patterson's ankle in fairly good shape. O'Hara Wood found I Gobert at his very best in the first set, and in efforts to make placements he put his drives just over the lines. On approaching the net to volley, Wood found himself passed by Robert's wonderful backhand cross-court diive, which was working wonderfully well. In the second set, Wood stayed back more, relying more on steadiness than' placements, and waiting for Gobert to make errors. This procedure momentarily looked costly, as Gobert continued to serve well, but Wood played some remarkably effective lobs and secured the lead. 4—2. The heat seettied to affect the Frenchman, while Wood, who was at home, quickly ran out of the set. and also tlio third, at 6—l.

"After a rest, Gobert seemed refreshed and quickly went on to 3 —l; then by fine serving, he was within a point of s—l, but, as happened previously, his opponent came from behind, and fighting every point, quickly reduced the lead, and ran out of the set. This victory jiave us the series and the match. "The match between Gobert and Patterson was only an exhibition, and was rather poor, being notable for, numerous errors by Cochet, and a large number of double faults by Patterson, and his high percentage of.service aces. Cochet's serve got him into triquble, and until he improves he will alwavs be at a disadvantage against a forceful playeir. ■ The second set. which Cochet won, was most spectacular, and he made some really fine passing shots. The whole contest was a great" battle, with the issue hanging in doubt until the final day. The doubles match was the most spectacular."

THE NEXT ANTAGONISTS. SPANISH SINGLES TEAM. A apd N.Z. ; PHILADELPHIA. Aue/ 14. ' It js announced that Count Manuel '.do Gomar arid Manuel Alonzo will represent Spain against Australasia in ;tbe singles of the final : round' of the Davis Cup. The doubles- team has.not'yatJ been selected. -~,\ ■'• *** *\-