LAWN TENNIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20319, 30 January 1928, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS

THE DAVIS CUP CONTEST. TWENTY-SEVEN ENTRIES. (Freis Association—By Telegraph—Copyright ) PARIS, January 27. The entries for the Davis Cup number 27, including 23 in the European zone. Japan'has entered in the American zone. —A. and N.Z. Cable. FRENCH PLAYERS IN AUSTRALIA. FOOT FAULTING CORRECTED. SYDNEY, January 28. (Received Jan. 29, at 5.5 p.m.) Since the arrival of the French lawn tennis players in Australia critics who have seen them at practice state that they have foot faulted in Australia. It is not permitted to-stand away from the base line and then approach with one foot in the act of serving. This is deemed a step. In France a step is made by placing one foot forward and bringing the other up behind it. Merely to place one foot forward did not break the rule. Immediately on being informed of the position, Borotra and Brugnon altered their styles to conform with the Australian standard. Boussus found it difficult, and in order to cause him no inconvenience the Australian championships management, committee decided to waive for this series of championships its definition of a step in serving. The _ Frenchmen start the serious part of their Australian tour when they day the first rounds of the Australian ‘singles championship to-day. AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS. FRENCH PLAYERS ENGAGED. SYDNEY, January 29. (Received Jan. 29, at 5.5 p.m.) At the Australian Tennis Championships in the junior singles final, Crawford (New South Wales) b»at Turnbull (South Australia), 10—8, 6—4. In the first round of the men’s singles Borotra beat Fitzgerald (New South Wales), 6—2, 5—3, 6—o; Boussus beat Ford (West Australia), 6—l, 6—3, 6—4; Brugnon beat Coram (New South Wales), 6—2, 6-=-4, 6-4. In the final of the junior doubles Crawford and White (New South Wales) beat Cattenach and Frankenberg (Victoria), 6 — 2, 6 — 4. Borotra, with brilliant low volleys and agile leaps across the court, delighted the crowd in his match against Fitzgerald. The latter was outclassed, despite many excellent strokes. Borotra’s anticipation of direction was almost unerring, and he seldom failed in the exchanges. The Frenchman seemed able at any time to forge ahead, and with rain threatening forced the pace in the third set, which he won to love. Brugnon was almost as attractive, though there was not the spectacular element about his game, but he was always in command, placing with effortless ease on a vollev or off the ground, and making Coram run continuously. The Frenchman showed peculiarities of volley and backhand, but these made his game difficult to follow. Boussus shaped well against Ford’s stiff opposition in the second and third sets, but the Frenchman won handsomely. The way he placed shots along the lines or across the court, varying the pace at will, pleased the critics. Heavy rain compelled adjournments throughout the afternoon.