LAWN TENNIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14386, 2 December 1908, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS

THE DAVIS CUP. •"A STRENUOUS CONTEST, . HIGH PRAISE FOR WILDING. Ftcss Association—By Telegraph—Copyrishi. MELBOURNE, December 1. Norman Brookes seemed irresistible at the opening of the Davis Cup niateh yesterday ; then Beals Wright's, overhead play began to tell, and the third set fell to America alter a keen, exhausting straggle. Brookes struggled gamely, but the American had the master hand of him. Despite the fact that Wright's outlook ip the early part ol the gamc,.v<is enough to daunt any other tennis champion, it seemed only to encourage him. The last set was terribly severe. .It seemed as if nothing could withstand Wright as lie continued his victorious career through the Eftn set. Brookes only got. 3 points in the : first three games. With the score at 4—l there ensued the greatest fight ever seen perhaps on any court in the world. Both men were terribly exhausted, yet the tennis never fell Below international standard. ' The scorestood 6 all. Brookes led with the next game, then it was even, and so, first'one and. then the other with the 'kad, until after a long game Wright led, Brookes won the eighteenth game, Wright panting with every stroke and Brookes dragging his feet like an old man*.' Wright took the lead at the nineteenth game, and won by taking three games in. Succession. With little hope of Australasia retaining the cup--for the Victorians have but one tennis idol, Brookes, and when he was unsuccessful their aspirations' were at a low ebb—the' next match 'commenced. Wilding's play, however, was a revelation. He contented himself,with staying on the back line, in marked contrast to Alexander, and it was the severity of his driving and his magnificent serving which gained the victory, and the Davis Cup this year must be knowr a 6 the Wilding Cup.