LAWN TENNIS SUPREMACY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23953, 31 October 1939, Page 10

LAWN TENNIS SUPREMACY

DAVIS CUP WINNERS ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Oct. 30. Proud to have in their possession the emblem of world lawn tennis supremacy, the Davis Cup, the Australians, Messrs Hopman (manager), Bromwich, Crawford, and Quist arrived in the Mariposa from San Francisco. They continued in the Mariposa for Sydney to-night. With them is Sir Norman Brookes, the veteran Davis Cup contestant. “ Our team was taken a little on the hop by unfavourable conditions of the first day,” said Sir Norman Brookes, “but the win in the Doubles on the second day turned the tide in their favour. After a series of wins in earlier contests they were at a disadvantage in having to meet the Americans in the first Singles matches on heavy courts, but their success the second day raised our hopes that they would be able to win the deciding matches.” Quist had the crucial match to play, he added, against Riggs, the American champion, and at one stage it looked as though the honours might go against him, but he recovered in time. Bromwich’s defeat of Parker was due to exploiting his opponent’s weak point—his forehand, and also to Bromwich’s consistency. “I have never seen such long exchanges. It took 39 strokes to decide the first point, and the first game occupied nearly five minutes. Bromwich gradually wore Parker down.” With the possible exception of Riggs, the Australians were superior, Sir Norman declared. Riggs’s game resembled that of Bromwich, and he was in such wonderful condition that he appeared to be able to play all day without exhaustion. Riggs had a good service and a good forcing forehand, but he usually played to the back of the court, which cost him many points through hitting out. If he adopted more forcing tactics he would be difficult to beat. The American Cup Doubles pair were the only two able to extend the Australian combination, Quist and Bromwich, in America. EXHIBITION GAMES HIGH STANDARD OF PLAY (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Oct. 30. A crowd of between 2000 and 3000 witnessed an excellent exhibition of lawn tennis at Stanley street, when members of the Australian Davis Cup team played Singles and Doubles matches. The court was in splendid condition, but a strong southerly wind made ball control difficult. The Doubles match was abandoned when light rain set in late in the afternoon The play was of. a high standard, and the Australians were accorded a wonderful ovation, especially in view of their Davis Cup success, the trophy being on view. Results:— Singles.—J. Bromwich beat A. K. Quist B—6, 6—2, H. Hopman v. J. H. Crawford, B—6, 4—6, unfinished. Doubles. —Bromwich and Quist v. Crawford and Hopman, 6—l. 3 —3 (abandoned).