DAVIS CUP CONTEST

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6678, 28 November 1908, Page 9

DAVIS CUP CONTEST

OPENING HATCHES BROOKS BEATS ALEXANDER AFTER GREAT GAME, WILDING LOSES TO WRIGHT. (Received November 28, I.IS a.m.) Ur Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright, MELBOURNE, November 27. Tho weather was splendid to-day for the opening of the Davis Cup contest. After the heavy rain of yesterday a strong drying wind sprang up, which loft tho courts in good condition, though a trifle slow. A groat crowd assembled to sco the opening matches. Brookes and Alexander were drawn for tho first round. The Victorian soon established a strong lead, Diking tho first four games of tho first sot. Then Alexander warmed to his work, and placed a different complexion on tho game by his splendid placing of masterly returns and by bis irresistible “smashing.” Ho put up seven games while Brookes secured only one. Tho second set will bo long remembered as ono of the most keen over witnessed In Melbourne. Tho players took game for game till they wore seven all; Brookes then took the next two games and the sot. In tho next sot Alexander failed, while Brookes, if anything, improved, Alexander placing service after service into tho net. In the fourth set Alexander put up another groat fight, playing his best game, but tho fifth and deciding set foil to Brookes. -Tho scores wero, 5—7, 9—7, G—2, 4r- —6, 6- —-3. Tho next fight was between Beals.Wright and Wilding, tho former winning, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6—l. The New Zealander in tho first sot scored tho first throe games. Wright seemed slow in getting about the court at' first, but soon showed himself more vigorous and able longer to sustain bis efforts than in tho previous match. After the second set, in which Wilding hold his own, the American had tho best of the remaining sets, his game getting hotter as he went on. His lobs troubled Wilding, while his well-played drop shots just over tho net had tho precision of genius. In tho final set Wilding scarcely did himself justice, apparently realising that his position was beyond redemption. The doubles will be playod to-mor-roW.