LAWN TENNIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18612, 21 July 1922, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS

Bt Smash. A cablegram received by some of the northern newspapers indicates that the pervasive gambling spirit has extended its influence to the sphere of lawn tennis. As showing how _ strong a “favourite” Patterson started in his match against Lycett in the championship., final at Wimbledon the message mentions that the odds in his favour were nine to two. I have received from the publishers. Messrs Mills and Boon, of London, a small volume entitled “The First Steps to Lawn Tennis,” bv Mr A. E. Beamish. The book is essentially on e for the beginner, but at the same time it contains much general information for all classes of players, and no one could read it without learning something. Mr' Beamish is well qualified to -•write such a work, for he is a former English international and Davis Oup representative, and his own delightfully graceful style of play, especially on the back-hand, has always beep much admired. He has visited New Zealand twice, and on the second f occasion—in March, 1920—he and A. H. *Lowe played a series of matches against G. Ollivier, A. S. Gray, and S. N. Brown. His book is simply and lucidly written, and .it contains no fewer than 24 photographs illustrating the methods of stroke-production which are described in the letter-press. It is well printed and got up, and may be purchased at a reasonable price. ■ ’ Only three players bold the unique record of having won the Wimbledon championship on their first entry. These are R. F. Doherty, G. L. Patterson, and W. T. Tilden. It is now 13 years since the title was held by an Englishman. In 1908 and 1909 it was held by A. W. Gore, and then in ,1912 it was taken overseas by the brilliant New Zealander, Anthony Wilding. Wilding retained it until 1914, when he was beaten by-«N. E. Brookes. In the war years, 1915 to. 1918, the tournament' was suspended, and its revival in 1919 was marked by the advent of Patterson, who has now inscribed his name on the championship roll for the second time.

The full score in the final of th e Men’s Championship Doubles at Wimbledon shows that Anderson and Lycett beat Patterson and O’Hara Wood 3—6, 7—9, 6—4, 6—3, 11—9. In the fifth set, which was a grim struggle for mastery, Patterson and Wood made a great effort, and led at 5—4 and again at 7—6. Anderson led B—7, Patterson j 9—B, and again Anderson equalised with a love set on his own service. The excitement was intense. Everyone expected Patterson to take the nineteenth game on his service, but Anderson and Lycett, playing brilliantly, took the game after two deuces. The last game finished dramatically. Lycett was serving, and was ’vantage in, when Wood, who was. suffering from neuritis in the shoulder, skied’ his first return. , Anderson ran back and was- about to strike when Lycett yelled. “Drop it,” and the ball fell a few inches behind the back line.

For some , curious reason—probably because they were overshadowed by their more brilliant countrymen—we did not hoar much .of the doings of Wertheim and Barclay in the Men’s Doubles. They must have gone well through the event, however, and the probabilities are that they were defeated in the semi-final round by Anderson Lycett. The latest news about them shows that two days before the final was played they defeated Dixon and Belgrave 7 —5, 6—l, 6 —3. and as Patterson and O’Hara Wood defeated Norton and Roper Barrett in the other 'semi-final it sesms more than likely that WertheimBarclay and 'Anderson-Lyoett also met in the semi-final. The Dixon who partnered A. C. Belgrave is no doubt our old friend C.|P. Dixon, who represented the British Isles in the. Davis Cup contest of 1912, which was played in Australia. H e later visitefl New Zealand in company with J. C. Parke, F. G. Lowe, and A. E. Beamish, and played a number of games here. In common with several of the leading English players he is now well advanced towards the veteran stage, being 49 years of age. In the Mixed Doubles Wertheim was partnered, "by. Mrs Lambert Chambers, but they met their Waterloo in W. C. Crawley and Miss M’Kano, wfco defeated them 6—3. 6 —3, and who 1 were themselves later defeated by Lyoett and Miss Ryan. H. Cochet, J. Borotra, A. H. Gobert. X Brugnon, and J. Samazeulih will represent France. in the Davis Cup .match against Australia at Boston on August 10, 11, and 12. , During the past week the Davis Cup contest for 1922 has been advanced by the completion of what might bo termed the second round. Australia and Franco now have to meet in the -semi-final, and the Australians - may be. .confidently expected, to. (win. The. other semi-final between’’ Britain and Spain has been disposed of by the not altogether unexpected withdrawal of Great Britain, for with Kingscote and Lycett not available their chances of defeating Spain would be very slight indeed; France evidently intends to visit America, and .if Spain follows suit the final between Australia and Spain will be played in America with the odds distinctly in favour of the Australians, who vx.il! then go on to the challenge _ round against the holders. On the whole it may be said that the withdrawal of ih e British Isles removes the most formidable obstacle from the path of the Australians. The detailed results of the Davis • Cup matches to date may be taW lated as follows; . Fibst Round. Australia beat Belgium 4 matches to 0. Czecho-Slovakia beat Hawaii by default. France beat Canada by default. Spain beat Philippines by default. ' India beat Rumania 4 matches to 1. Italy beat Japan by default. Second Round. Australia beat Czecho-Slovakia 5 matches to 0.France beat Denmark 3 matches to 0. Britain beat Italy 4 matches to 0. Spain beat India 4 matches to 1. Semi-final Round. Spain beat England by default.