LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1749, 13 September 1905, Page 49

LAWN TENNIS

AMERICA TRIUMPHS OVER AUSTRALASIA. (From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON. July 21.

The results of the preliminary stages of the international tennis tournament for the Davis Cup, decided at Queen s Club this week, were very disappointing to those who looked forward to the representatives of Australasia tackling those of the Mother Country for the possession of the emblem of the world s lawn tennis championships. The Antipodeans proved their superiority to the Austrian contingent in decisive fashion, but entirely failed to hold their own against the American representatives, who won their series of matches against France and Australasia in a fashion that suggests that the cup will take a voyage across the Atlantic, unless the brothers Doherty, who with S. H. Smith and F. D. Riseley, will represent England, are all at their very best when they meet the Americans at Wimbledon during the next three days. Even given the Home players at the top of their respective form, the Mother Country will have no light task to retain possession of the cup, for the American have all played themselves into their best form, and are today many points better players than when we saw them in the championships at Wimbledon a fortnight ago. The cause of the Australasian debacle at Queen’s Club is not far to seek. Of her three representatives, Brookes, Dunlop and Wilding, the first-named has had far too much serious tennis since his arrival in England, and for the time being is in a decidedly “stale” condition. He could not do himself justice in tne singles, nor properly support his partner Dunlop in the doubles when the real test of merit came, which tvas when the Americans were on the other side of the net. The Brookes of Queen’s Club was certainly not the Brookes who ran through the All Comers at Wimbledon and made such a. memorable fight with H. L. Doherty for the championship of these islands. At times we got a glimpse of that Brookes, but all too seldom wnen he was opposed to the Americans Earned and Wright. With so much tennis already in him, and the serious part of the-Davis Cup competition still to come, it seemed to verge on wilful folly to indulge in exhibition doubles with players of the calibre, of the brothers Doherty, as Brookes did on Saturday last. He and Dunlop certainly had the pleasure of beating those world-famous exponents, and there can be no question of the intense interest the match aroused, or of keen pleasure it gave to lovers of the game present, but it took a lot of “steel” out of Brookes, who would have been well advised to rest while lie had the chance. However, crying over spilled milk is a poor occupation, so “let's to the play.” On Friday last Brookes and Dunlop met the Austrian pair Kinzl and Von Wessely in the semi-final round of the doubles, the American pair Ward and Wright having the Frenchmen Decugis and Germot as opponents. The Yankees had a comparatively’ easy task to defeat the French players, whom they “smothered” by three sets to love and 18 games to six, but the Australian couple were so slack at timas that they unduly “ prolonged the agony ” ere vanquishing their opponents by three sets to love and 22 games to 14. Sixteen games were necessary to complete the first set. At the outset all four players secured their service games with quite monotonous regularity until five all. Then Von Wessely lost his service, but so did Dunlop, making six all, and subsequently seven all. Some erratic serves by Von Wessely gave Brookes and Dunlop the fifteenth game, and, Dunlop winning his next service, the set went to the colonials at 9 —7. Brookes’© clever service was a prominent factor in defeating the Austrians at 6 —2 in the second, set, and again in the third the Melbourne player was decidedly effective. Th© Austrians were brilliant and bad in turn, but managed to get to “five all” ere being defeated by 7 to 5.

On Saturday Brookes and Von Wessely tried conclusions in the semi-finals of the singles, and Wilding was opposed by Kinzl. Brookes was right at the top of his game, and made a coinman hack of Von Wessely, who could do nothing with the Australian's fine service and splendid volleying, and was beaten by three sets to love and 18 games to 4 Avithout even being able to extend his opponent.

Wilding, however, experienced a lot of trouble Avith Kinzl, who played a very plucky and very steady game. In the end, however, the New Zealander won by three sets to one at 6—3, 4 —6, 6 —2, 6—4. Australasia thus beat Austria by 5 matches to love, 15 sets to 2, and' 203 games to 51.

Ward and Wright had meanwhile beaten Decugis and Germot easily and America thus whipped France by 5 matches to love, 15 sets to 1, and 95 games to 42. The feature of Saturday's proceedings was, however, A SPLENDID EXHIBITION MATCH between the brothers Doherty and Brookes and Dunlop. These celebrated players gave the spectators a most exciting display of excellent all-round tennis, Brookes and H. L. Doherty being the bright particular stars of the quartette. The former was in wonderful form with his service and with H. L. Doherty reproducing his Wimbledon form, the pair gave an exhilarating exhibition of their different styles. Dunlop was steady as a rock, and ably seconded the brilliant efforts of his compatriot, but though R. F. Doherty gave glimpses of his old self and played really beautifully in the second and third sets which the brothers won at 7—5 and 6—2 respectively, he tired palpably at the crucial point in the match. Brookes and his partner won the first set at 6—3, and taking the fourth at 6—4 made the score “two all." They were “all over” the Dohertys in the first part of the final set,- getting to 5 games to 2. Then Dunlop lost his service game and H. L. Doherty winning his, the doubles champions reached four games to their opponents’ five. Brookes, how-

ever, won his next service, and with it the match by 3 sets to 2 amid the Heartiest of hearty plaudits. Of the forty-nine games played, the Australians won 25, and the Dohertys 24, so there was not much in it” either way.

AUSTRALASIA'S DEBACLE. On Monday, alas! the Stars and Stripes waved- proudly above the Southern Cross for Norman Brookes and A. F. Wilding failed to hold their own against Beals, Wright, and W. A. Larned, in the final round of the singles. The match between Brookes and Wright was worth half a day's journey to witness and provided one of the most exciting and strenuously fought games seen this season, or any other season for that matter. For two hours and a half did the Australian and the American do vigorous battle across the net, and 66 games were necessary ere the Yankee claimed victory by three sets to one and 35 games to 31. Brookes was not in his happiest vein, and made quite a lot of mistakes, but Wright was sound ae a bell all through the long and exhausting struggle, and fully deserved his victory. The first set gave a true indication of what was to come. “Five all,” “six all,” and up to “ten all” was called ere Wright won two gamee in succession, and the set at 12 — 10. Brookes captured the next at 7—5. and then we had a replica of the first game with Wright again in the ascenddant at 12—10. In the final set Brookes seemed to tire, and Wright, playing a very strong game, had his man beaten and tlie match won at 6 —4, after a magnificent contest which roused the spectators to the fever heat of excitement, and gained the players tumultuous applause at the close.

Compared witli the Brookes-Wright game that between Wilding and Earned was a very tame show. The American caught Wilding in a slack mood, and held the upper hand throughout Without seriousl}’ extending liimseif Larned beat his opponent by three sets to love, and eighteen games to nine (6 —3, 6—2, q— 4) s thus crediting the Stars and Strines with a dual success. __ The play on Tuesday and W ednesday of the Australasians was very disappointing, and resulted in the easy knock-out of the Antipodeans bv tlie Americans. Brookes, the sheet-anchor of the losers, failed entirely to reproduce his Wimbledon form, and for tlie time being has evidently’ had rather more tennis than is good for him. His display with Dunlop in the doubles on Tuesday against 11. Ward and B. C. Wright was of a most uneven character, flashes of brilliance only occasionally breaking his spells of mediocrity. The pity of it was that Dunlop was in such excellent fettle, and form that had Brookes played anything like a sound game, the Americans would have been very hard set to win. As it was, the left-hander's- volleying was marred by a lot of net strokes, he seldom “killed” effectively, and his drives were often wide of the back line. To add to tlie troubles of the Australian pair, they struck the Yankees right at the top of their form, Beals Wright was absolutely “great,” and his powerful overhead "play, admirable volleying, and effective drop strokes, were the features of a very disappointing match. Ward backed Wright up in splendid fashion, his clever lobbing and backhand screw strokes continually beating the opposition. The Americans won by three sets to one, and twenty-four games to eighteen, but on the play there was more than that margin in favour of the victors. At no period of the play did i hoy look like losing, and though one set went against them at 7 —5, they Avon the other three Avithout “tearing themselves to pieces” at 6 —4, 7 —5, 6 —2, thus qualifying to meet the Dohertys in the cup round at Wimble-dop_.

On Wednesday, Brookes met W. A.; Larned. and Wilding opposed Wright in the final matches of the Singles, and once more Australasia's representatives had to knock under to America's. Larned had one of his good days, and in the first set Brookes exhibited really fine form. No less than tAventy-six games Avere required to complete the set, the scores being called “12 all'” before Larned could, claim first blood at 14 —12. In the second set Brookes gave a woful exhibition of inconsistency. His service, though it had more “body” behind it, seemed to have lost all the twist and tAvirl Avliich make it so formidable, and he Avas particularly inaccurate in his attempts to place the ball out of Larned's reach. The American took six games off the reel in this set, and though Brookes did rather better in the next, he AA’as easily beaten, (6 —3), Larned shoAving great steadiness, resource, and judgment, and Avell deserving iiis three sets to Jove and twenty-six games to fifteen victory. The match between Wilding and Wright AA’as somewhat farcical, With nothing at stake, Wilding agreed to play the best of three sets instead of five. The New Zealander shoAAred a tricky service, but Avas so erratic that Wright had quite an easy task to beat him. 6—3, 6—3.

Thus America scored an unexpectedly easy triumph over Australasia in the All-comers Competition, winning 5 matches to love, 14 sets to 2, and 115 games to 79. and qualifying to meet the Mother Country’s representatives in both! the singles and doubles of the DaVis Cup Challenge round. THE WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING. A VEXED APPEAL QUESTION. The annual general meeting of the Wellington Provincial Lawn Tennis Association was held last Thursday. Delegates were present representing the following clubs Newtown, Brougham Hill, Wellington, Thorndon, Victoria College, Taita, and Pahiatua. Mr H. P. Richmond presided. The annual report and balance-sheet, of which a summary was published in our issue of the 30th ult., was adopted. Last year’s officers were re-elected, as follows President, Mr R. M. Simpson; vice-presidents, Rev Dean McKenna, Messrs C. F. Adams, J. P. Firth, 11. M. Gore W E. Pearson, A. D. Thomson, E. G. F. Zolirab; hon secretary, Mr A. H. Kimbell; hon treasurer, Mr E. Y. Redward; hon auditor, Mr C. A. Richardson.

Mr 11. P. Richmond Avas appointed permanent chairman for the year. The appointment of a “shield” committee Avas held OA*er pending a revision of the rules. The following delegates to the New Zealand Association Avere re-elected: —Messrs G. A. Hurley. E. G. F. Zohrab, E. Y. Redward H. M. Gore, and A. H. Kimbell.

The decision of the Emergency Committee of the LaAvn Tennis Association (England) on the appeal of the Brougham Hill Club against the decision of the appeal committee of the NeAv Zealand Association regarding the disputed shield match against Tliorndon Club, Avas forAvarded by the secretary of the NeAv Zealand Association. The Appeal AA’as unanimously xiplield. The report appended to the decision stated that the “Rules for Club Contests” implied that captains Avere to be appointed by the competing clubs. No captain appealed to haA-e been so appointed by the Tliorndon Club but from the evidence before the committee, Mr Parker seemed to liaA’e acted in that capacity, and both clubs had apparently accepted Mr Goldie as referee. No agreement as to the playing of ad\*antage sets Avas arrived at prior to the commencement of play, as, according to the strict reading of rule 15, should have been; but after a con\’ersation between the competitors (Avhen the set stood presumably at “games all”) adA’antage sets Avere play-ed by common consent and Avith the concurrence of the referee. The result of playing advantage sets Avas that the Brougham Hill Club Avere the Avinners, and Avere so declared by the referee. Rule 3 of the Luavs of the Game distinctly implied that on a question of luav the referee’s decision should be final. The committee did, not consider rule 15 of the “Rules for Club Contests” to be ultra vires; an alternatiA’e system of play might be agreed upon. The report concluded : —“Shortly, the grounds on Avliich Ave base our decision are: —(1) That the advantage sets Avere played by the common consent of the opposing clubs, and Avith the concurrence of the referee, but not by his direction. (2) That the decision of the referee is final.” A postscript stated that it Avas proposed to bring rule 3 before the full Council Avith a vieAv to having the Avoiding altered so as to make it quite clear that a referee's decision should be final. Mr Redirarct moved “That before the matter is dealt Avith, the secretary be instructed to Avrite to the NeAv Zealand Association and ask for copies of all letters and documents that Avere forwarded to the English Association.” The report showed that the English Association had given its decision on points of fact. In the only matter of law considered—as to Avlietlier rule 15 of the rules for the shield contest Avas ultra vires as being opposed to the Laws of the Game-—the decision of the NeAv Zealand Association had been practically upheld. The appeal committee of the NeAv Zealand Association had dealt only Avitli matters of law. The motion Avas carried Avithout dissent.

The secretary notified that the Clifton terrace Club had ceased to exist. The NeAv Zealand Association Avrote refusing the application of the Wellington Association to be alloAved to manage the New Zealand championship meeting to be held in Wellington at Christmas. It was desired to use the Wellington Association's plant and to grant that body 25 per cent, of the profits. It Avas decided on the motion of Mr Hunter that the offer should be accepted, the plant to be lent in its present condition. A committee consisting of Messrs J. S. Wilson, G. A. Hurley, H. P. Richmond, E. Y. Redward. and A. Young A\ r as set up to reA’ise and consolidate the association's rules and the rules for shield matches.

• It AA’as decided to hold three inter-club contests during the coming season. The first-class contest is to be called the “senior shield,” the second the “cup,” and the third the “pennant.” Trophies for the “cup” and “pennant” contests are to be provided by th© association. A motion proposed by Mr RedAvard to hold the next Wellington championship meeting at Palmerston North, if satisfactory arrangements could be made, AA’as negatived.