DAVIS CUP CONTEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21249, 1 August 1932, Page 10

DAVIS CUP CONTEST

FRENCH HOLDERS LEADING FIRST TWO SINGLES WON AMERICA TAKES THE DOUBLES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 31, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, July 30 There was a record attendance yesterday at Auteuil for the opening challenge round of the Davis Cup between tho United States and Franco (holder). The spectators included the French President, I M. Lebrun, and Mr. Dwight Davis, donor of the trophy. The first two singles resulted : Jean Borotra (France) beat Ellsworth Vines (U.S.A.), 6—2, 6—4, 5-6, 6—4. Henri Cochet (France) beat Wilmer Allison (U.S.A.), 5—7, 7—5, 7—5, 6-2. In tho doubles to-day, played in tho presence of 12,000 spectators, Allison and Van Ryn beat Cochet and Brugnon, 6—3, 11—13, 7—5, 4—6, 6—4. Sensational Play in the Singles The great crowd on tho first day witnessed two sensational matches, played amid an almost ungovernable uproar. Borotra, the veteran, meeting a youngster noted for his virility and lightning speed, found form greater than even his compatriots had hoped for. Ho took services and drives which had defeated every opponent at Wimbledon, exhibited wonderful court-craft, and showed enough inimitable dash and "fireworks" to disturb the American's equanimity and spoil his winning touch. • Vines obviously was nervous, and twice double-faulted in critical games. Vines opened. Borotra made lightning replies to break through tho American and All England champion's service and win tho first game amid enthusiasm. Serving brilliantly, the Frenchman also took the second game. Vines evened to two all, but Borotra, playing the game of his career, then went into the lead, which he kept, mastering Vines' service and returning his fastest shots. The second and third sets wero played at terrific speed. Borotra, refreshed after tho rest, revealed fresh wonders of strategy, and with victory in sight appeared to bo "inspired" in his spectacular returns. He had to bo assisted from tho court, exhausted after tho final rally. Cochet was below form in tho first set, but out-manoeuvred Allis.Hn in the second, and improving in tho third and fourth sets apparently won -when he wanted to. Both were spasmodically brilliant. Gruelling Struggle in Doubles •

Playing in the doubles to-day the Americans, spurred on by previous defeats, started like tornados, sprinting and net volleying overwhelmingly. Retaining the initiative they compelled their opponents to lob frequently. Their play was faultless up to 2—o in the second game. After that tho Frenchmen penetrated Allison's service. Though Cochet was erratic he held his own in spectacular volleying. At 2 —4 ho achieved a, brilliant succession of interceptions at tho net, putting the ball out of reach with unanswerable flicks of tho wrist. Brugnon won his service and led B—7 but Van Ryn, saving splendidly, evened at 10—10. However Brugnon's smashes arid Cochet's sledge-hammer drives won the set. The Americans were somewhat subdued. They captured tho third set owing to the apparent temporary casualness of Cochet. Tho Frenchmen maintained their initial lead in tho fourth. Bf'ugnon was the best of tho four and he made the winning set point—a glorious lob to the base Kne. America made a supreme effort in the final set and led 5—3. Franco retorted with A—s, but America won after- brilliant duelling at point-blank range.