THIS YEAR'S DAVIS CUP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18174, 21 August 1922, Page 6

THIS YEAR'S DAVIS CUP.

By defeating the Spanish team the Australian players have won the right to challenge America's retention of the sign manual of world's supremacy at lawn tennis, the Davis Cup. In winning their way to the final test they have demonstrated conclusively their superiority to all other challengers. The premiership of the. world at its most universally popular game is next to be decided. The Australians have had to contend against, and have overcome, the illluck they have encountered at several stages of the contest. The illness of J. O. Anderson was especially unfortunate. It cast a heavy burden upon O'Hara Wood, who was himself liable to break down over to overstrain of muscle, and whose reputation has been earned as a player of doubles rather than of singles. The gallant struggle he made in the face of a physical handi- ' cap is what would have been exl pected by who had the chance of i observing the qualities of his sportsmanship in Auckland two summers . ago. The Australians now have their hardest task before them, since their ; final opponents are actually in possession of the trophy, with all the moral advantage which that position ! gives. They represent the country where the game is most closely r organised, and where the search for ' talent is systematic and continuous. ; The American champions are always I formidable. It need not be assumed i that they are invincible,. As they 3 have participated in none of the con--5 tests in which the representatives of - the other nations have engaged this 5 year, their present form cannot be % compared with that of their prospecl tiye opponents. The most that can l be predicted of the challenge round 1 the cup' is that it 'will be a v stirring struggle. It is sincerely to ', be hoped that the series of mis.d chances which tie Australians have j beforp, the final scene tj/jpi the contest, opens., . v *