TILDEN'S TENNIS TIP

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12116, 18 April 1925, Page 15

TILDEN'S TENNIS TIP

JAPANESE MAY SURPRISE.

DAVIS CUP PROSPECTS.

SYDNEY, April 5. "Australia and 1 France as the zone year’s Davis Cup competition. The champion declares, according to a message to the Sydney “Sun” from New York, that Manuel Alonzo’s brilliance in singles may help Spain to overcome Australia, while it is possible that Japan’s young players may spring a surprise.

. Continuing his analysis of the chances of the various nations engaged in the preliminary rounds of tlie Davis Cup contest, W. T. Tilden says:— “It is among the big three in the American zone, Australia, Spain, and Japan, that the battle will rage. On paper, one regards the Australians as certain victors. They have the greatest strength in the singles- with Patterson and Anderson both ooming. Hawkes will possibly be used with Anderson in the doubles, though personally I consider Patterson the best doubles player of the three. It is hard luck that O’Hara Wood is unable to join the team. “Spain is sending Plaques and two other youngsters to join the Alonzo brothers. Manuel Alonzo looks to be tlie outstanding singles player in the Davis Cup this year. I believe he can defeat both Anderson and Patterson, and a great question will be, can any other Spaniard win one match against Australia? Neither Flaques nor Jose Alonzo is in the same class.

“Japan is relying on Harada and Fukuda. I would hardly expect the Japanese to heat Australia or Spain, but these two Orientals are greatly improved players and might succeed in springing a surprise. FRANCE VERSUS AUSTRALIA

“I am inclined to think that France will meet Australia in tlie inter-zone final, with the chances about even. Somehow, I would not be surprised to see the young French stars nose out the Australian veterans. It would add much interest to the challenge round if they did, yet one would deeply regret the defeat of our old, and good friends, Anderson and Patterson. “The ultimate result will be largely a question of the singles abilities' of Manuel Alonzo, Anderson, Patterson, Lacoste, and Cochet. Australia and France have the advantage of two stars of almost equal ability, while Spain must rely on the outstanding skill of one man —possibly the greatest of them all. " .

“No ; matter which team comes through the United States, the American team will face the sternest test it has met for many years. I am of the opinion that nothing short of a team including Johnston, Richards, and Williams at their best can hold the Cup against the challenger. “There can ho no doubt in the mind of anyone that it is up to the United States Lawn Tennis Association to husband its resources if it desires to hold the Davis Cup. I hope to see us do so, but I am very far from over-confident of the result. I have played against Alonzo, Patterson, Anderson, and Lacoste, and I stand in very great respect of their tennis.”