DAVIS CUP RETAINED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21250, 2 August 1932, Page 9

DAVIS CUP RETAINED

FRANCE DEFEATS AMERICA TRIUMPH FOR BOROTRA i CLOSE WIN OVER ALLISON By Telegraph—Presß Association—Copyrigh PARIS. July 3 Franco retained the Davis Cup by defeating the challengers, the TJnitec States of America. Borolra (France) do feated Allison iji the deciding singles, ant although Vines (U.S.A.) defeated Cochet France had already retained the cup bj virtue of tho two victories yesterday To-day's results were : Jean Borotra (France) defeated Wilniei Allison (U.S.A.), I—6, 3—6, 6—4, 6—2 7—5. . Henri Cochet (France) lost to Ellswortl; Vines (U.S.A.), 6—4, 6—o, 5—7,-6—B 2—6. Summary of all games.—Franco won bj three rubbers to two, 13 sets to 10, 12f games to 117. Patriotic Fervour The stadium was packed, the gate money exceeding £16,000. The police were hard pressed to prevent another 500 C storming the gates. An unprecedented roar of patriotic fervour accompanied Borotra's heroic fight, in which, after it appeared that he must fall a victim to the speed and activity of tho younger man, ho rapeatedlv recovered, as probably only Borotra could. He played inspired tennis, triumphing in a terrific duel lasting nearly two and a-half hours. The court was over-waterec and so slippery that Borotra floundered as if on ice. Allison, profiting by the Basque's errors, quietly kept the ball ir play in the first set. In the second Borotra changed his shoes to rope soles, and found an improvement, but the American took the set with magnificent assurance. Borotra faced a crisis, and realised that his chance of victory lay in continually storming the net. So ho repeatedly got thero and flashed spectacular volleys, rediscovered his service and speed, and gained points down tho side lines. He took the third set amid a resounding ovation, his brilliant display of all-court shots and rapid sprints to the net giving Allison no chance. The Frenchman took the fourth set after four deuces. Excitement in Last Set In the fifth and deciding set Allison dropped his service in the fifth game. Borotra changed his shoes, which were worn out, and won the next game, the crowd cheering madly. Allison responded, equalled, and led 4 —2. The American seemed assured of victory when he reached 5—3, with Borotra serving and down 15—40. Borotra, with teeth clenched, saved two "match" points, the second of which will long provide a matter of controversy, many thinking the Frenchman doublefaulted. Allison certainly thought the ball was outside. Allison had another match point, but after that he faded away, Borotra struggling bravely to win, amid a wild outburst of exuberance. The Vines-Cochet match was almost an exhibition match in view of the cup having already been won. Nevertheless) it was surprising that after the Frenchman in the first and second sets had made the American look like a "second classer" by magnificent placing, Vines then turned the tables, using many extraordinary drop shots. The crowd stood on the seats to acclaim Borotra as he received the Davis Cup from the donor, Mr. Dwight Davis. VITAL POINT DISPUTE! OPINION OF THE CRITICS DOUBLE-FAULT BY BOROTRA (Received August 1, 5.5 p.m.) .LONDON, July 31 Writing in tho Daily Mail Mr. S. N. Doust, the former Australian, says a linesman's blunder robbed Allison of the match. Critics of all nations in a position to see agreed that Borotra double-faulted. The loss of the point unsettled Allison, whe was also affected by waiting while Borotrc changed his shoes. Nevertheless the. Basque's achievement was wonderful. The Davis Cup competition was founded in 1900, originally to promote an annual contest between the United States and the British Isles. The donor of the trophj was Dwight F. Davis, of St. Louis, American doubles champion, 1899-1901, afterwards Secretary of War in Mr, Calvin Coolidge's Cabinet. Franco has held tho cup sinco 1927, when it was won from America by 3 matches to 2 in a contest played at Philadelphia. The contestants in the fina; round and the results since 1900 aro as follows, there having been no contests ic tho years omitted : Dute. Result 1900—America beat British Isles . . 3—( 1002—America beat British Isles . . 3—5 1903—British Isles beat America . . 4—l 1904—British Isles bent Belgium . . s—( 1905—British Isles beat America . . 5—C 1900—British Isles beat America . . 6—-t 1907—Australasia beat British Isles . . 3—i 1908—Australasia beat America . . 3—5 1909—Australasia beat America . . s—( 1911—Australasia beat America .. 5—C 1912—British Isles beat Australasia . . 3 1913—America beat Britiah Isles . . 3—5 1914—Australasia beat America . . 3— ; 1919—Australasia beat British Isles . . 4—. 1920—America beat Australasia . . s—l 1921 —America beat Japan .. .. 5 ( 1922—America beat Australasia .. 4—l 1923—America beat Australia .. .. 4—l 1924—America beat Australia .. .. s—l 1925—America beat Franco .. .. 5—C 1926 America beat Franco .. . • 4—l 1927—Franco beat America .. .. 3—^ heat America . . . . 4—l 1929—Franco beat, America . . . . 3—; 1930—France beat America ... • • 4—l 1931—France beat Great Britain . . .1 — 1932 Franco beat America . . • • 3—2