LAWN TENNIS CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19738, 10 September 1927, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS CONTEST.

FINAL OP DAVIS CTJP. UNITED STATES AND FRANCE, EACH WINS ONE SINGLES. By Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright. A. and N.Z. PHILADELPHIA. Sept. 8. The final round in the Davis Cup contest between the holders, America, snd France was begun to-day at the grounds of the Germantown Cricket Club. In the opening singles matches, R. Lacoste, France, defeated W. M. Johnston, America, 6 3, 6—2, 6—2, and W. T. Tilden, America, defeated J. Coehet, France, 6—4, 2—6, 6—2, B—6. In the final match Lacoste served in the first game, and quickly won that and the second game, principally on Johnston's errors, but the Frenchman sent the ball out continuously and lost the third game. He took the fourth, and they continued to break through each other's service, Johnston winning the fifth and Lacosto the sixth and seventh games. Johnston double-faulted frequently, and neither player earned very many points. Johnston won the eighth game, but Lacoste took the final game to love, and the set, 6—3. In the nine games Lacoste had only two earned points and 15 errors, and Johnston three earned points and 24 errors. The second set saw a continuation of the same sort of play. The Frenchman was content to let the American defeat himself. Johnston won the first and the fifth games, and Lacoste the three intervening games in quick time. Few of the games went to deuce. Johnston now grew extremely erratic, sending many balls into the net or out of court, and Lacoste won the set, 6—2. Erratic Play by Johnston. The stroke analysis of the second set showed that Johnston made 29 errors and had seven earned points, while Lacoste made 16 errors and had four earned points. Johnston fought harder in the third set, and rallied brilliantly after losing the first game, to win the second to to love, and the third, 10—8, but he grew erratic again, and l°st the next five games in quick time. His display seemed to show the passing from international lawn tennis of one of its important figures. Lacoste won the match, 6—3, 6—2, 6—2. The stroke analysis of the third set was: Johnston, 29 errors and seven earned points; Lacoste, jL4 errors and three earned points. In his match against Tilden Cochet served first and the games went with the service until four all was reached, when Tilden broke through to win the ninth to love. They were playing spectacular tennis. Tilden's cannonball service won frequent points, and the Frenchman's brilliant overhead game won applause from the spectators. The American now overwhelmed his opponent, and placed three service aces to win the tenth game and the set, 6—4. The stroke analysis of the first set was: ! Tilden, 22 errors, 14 earned points ; Cochet, 20 errors, four earned points. The third set also went with the service until Cochet broke through Tilden's service and led, 3—l, to win the set, 6—2. Tilden made many errors. He had 20 earned points and eight errors, and Cochet nine earned points and seven errors. Brilliant Placing by Tilden. In the third set Tilden, who had been wild, now recovered, and took the first five games, and in spite of his opponent's brilliant rallies won the set, 6—2. Tilden made 17 errors and had 15 earned .. points, and Cochet 12 errors and two earned points in the set. In the fourth set there was good and bad tennis. Tilden was often brilliant, with accurate cross-court placements, aud then was erratic. Cochet's play showed the same features. It was a hard-fought set, each player momentarily gaining the advantage, until f at 6 all, Tilden broke through Cochet's service, and won the 11th game to love, and took the set, B—6,8 —6, and the match, 6—4, 2—6, 6—2, B—6. The stroke analysis was: Tilden, 28 errors, 23 earned points; Cochet, 15 errors, seven earned points. - THE DOUBLES MATCH. CHANGE IN AMERICA'S TEAM. (.Received September 9, 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. NE"W YOKE, Sept. S. It is understood that a change has been made at the last minute by the Selection Committee, and that Tilden and F. T. Hunter, and not Tilden and Johnston, will play Borotra and Brugnon in the doubles.