DAVIS CUP COMPETITON

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 64

DAVIS CUP COMPETITON

'J'aoir Ova Own Corkkspokdent ) I Mi;i BOURNE, Doc-ernr-er 1. Tie internal. ci.il !.iv>. n tonnU inufclx-s • for imp Da\ii Cup i. re over, and Ai -»t % al«i-ia ha.s suci Cc-fu!!\ <lrfeiided her Lille io the , own"i*hip of th-» lovted trophy against Awsriic'. Thf coiiij.' tj'ci<,p<> wlv.3 tt haM" 1 c inirppuccHl on "Jinu"->iav ia=r, hut hcaiv rain pi«\eiii--»d a Haii lti:ig maiV. On Friday, two of il>'> Tour .-uia'' s >ratch n s , vwre conlo *x>l, ainl ii wa-i mLrrP-tinjj to noto thai id ra< h ca=" the lfft-har.d f <1 player won. In the fir*t, X. E. Brookes \\a- victorious, winning for Australasia .i2a:i.f-t F. B Alexander, the American ro- >_ -MMtiw. : i.ud ir, Mi- - .'(»!>'!. r.o.iU C. vVii"!! ii -to! 'd Am 'icn i;ip-u^' h\ rle:';cii'ii^ \ F W .'diner. Whoi tLc time ( < mi,c .<*. tiiu ni ?i nan.c to Lc^m, Biookc 1 ;

and Alexander came on to the court arm-in-arm, one in a dark blue and the other in a white dressing gown. These garments having been removed, play started with a swing, Brookes, who served, winning his first stroke, which was prophetic of his final victory. It was soon seen that the previous day's heavy had to some extent affected the- court. The lawn was easily scarred by the feet of the players, and the resuitant inequalities of surface here and there occasionally made easy balls difficult, and difficult balls almost unplayable. The condition of the court, however, was improved by the use of a roller at the conclusion of the first rubber.

Alexander's first service was marked mainly by double faults, and Brookes, after lifting two drives out at the back of the court, took the game. However, the fifth game saw Alexander working into form. Striking out with great strength, he two or three times passed Brookes as he came up to the net after hie service. The first deuce of the match was called, and Brookes lost it, making the score 4—l.4 — 1. Alexander continued to improve, and, serving with more pcee- and accuracy, was able to get up to the net and kill some soft returns. Eventually the score was 5 games all, and Alexander won the final eet— 7 to 5. The American's play for the last eight games of the set was magnificent. The second set opened 1 quietly, each man losi.t? his service. Alexander continued to hit, trying to make each stroke a winner. Brookes, on his side, 'played even more softly than usual, seeking to work his opponent out of position rather than to beat him outright on one stroke. Each then won a succf^sion of service games, and tho score mounted up to 7 all. Brookes at this stage «on his service as usual and then the strain told on Alexander, and at 7—3,7 — 3, and 30— all, he served a double fault. The next stroke he broke down on a volley, and Brookes had the jet, 9—7. ' Three doubles lost Brookes the first game of the third sot, but he won the jecond by the finest stroke of the mateh — a back-hand crosscut from sicte line to side line, which just skimmed the net. Brookes began to put ir.ore power into strokes along the side lines, and to press close on to the net for winning shots. Alexander alternated terrific drives with lobs, and achieved some wonderful recoveries. But Brookes took the American's service in the fifth game, and, following by winning his own, established a lead at S — 2. Then he took the American's service again, and won the set 6—2.

Though Brookes was never careless, he could not stand against the American's brilliant hitting in the next set. Even in low volleying, at the net, Alexander beat him lime after time. They were even at 2 all. Then Brookes lost his service, mainly through his failure to deal effectively with some high iobs, and Alexander never gave him another chance to recover the loss. For the American won his own service, and though Brookes took his on the next game, making the score 5—45 — 4 in the American's favour. Alexander took the set i\ ith his next sarvice. Thus each had fwo sets. By winning the toss Brookes hs<l secured firet service in every game. This proved" an immense advantage in the final set, which resolved itself into a. pfrugle for the other's man's service. Brookes, starting first, had a leg in. Each won his service games until the score was 3 all. Brookes made it 4—34 — 3 on his service, and then Alexander, after a fine struggle, lost his. Brookes led, then, on his own service, at 5—3. A* expected, he took the set 6—36 — 3 on hie service, and won the match 3—23 — 2 in sets. The rubber had taken just over two hours to play. It was remarkable for the few openings which were given by either man.

After tbe court had been rolled and the lines had been whitened, Wilding won the to&s from Wright, and started serving. 1/ike Alexander, Wright began poorly, and Wilding had all the best of the first set, which he won at 6—3.6 — 3. The New Zealander's serving, driving, and smashing were particularly brilliant. Wright scored prineipallv through fine long cuts which slid along- the turf like -q-r^ae&d lightning. But Wilding, playing brilliantly, always gave the American a 1 go F or it. "'From 3—l3 — 1 in favour of Wright in the second set Wilding pulled up to 3 all. Thc-nce a dingdong game took the score to "5 all. Wilding was plaj-ing the better game to watch, but Wright smothered his repeatedly by lob after lob on the baek-linc. The longest rally of the day occurred in the tenth gain-". Wright ran Wilding- from corner to corner, from net to ba-ek-line, from back-line to net, until at last the New Z-salar.dei- <!eeided that he had gone far enough for on • ( -tro'<e, and allowed Wright to c Jttle th" question with a c off tap over the net. Wilding lost his *-»rvico with 5—65 — 6 agau^l him, aid »o nnul" tho score sot all. Wri'-jl't. \\ ho had be?n puffing an'! blowing like a man »r> the Ja=r sta^e of exhaustion, found his second \\ir.<] in the third set, and began to quicken tho paco. Formerly he had been sati-ified larjrolv to lob whenever in difficulties. Now he tried to drive past Wijdinp more frequently. The New Zealand player still smashed vigorously whenever he had tho chance, but Wright was oven more sevre on any short ba.l!s which came his way. Wright led at 4—3, and ih?n Wilding los* his service at a critical stage. Wright ai?ain took his own service and the set, 6—3. The America'! rontinued to make tlio pace, and ho romped riehf over Wilding in the last set. Ho won the first five zemei wi^h the lo*s of only five stroke^ His opponent got the sixth srame, but it was his la->t success, and Wright won, 6—l. He thu= secured the rubber 3—l in sets. R<.6ult->: — X K. Brrokefi (Australasia) beat F. B. Alexander (Ameiical, 5—7, 9—7, 6—2. 4—6, c *? B. C "W light (America) beat A F Wilding (Australasia). 3— G. 7—5. 6— 3, 6—l. The folio-, >n<i table «.how« the number of aces <-cored in <•<!(!] frame: — X E BROOKES v. F B. ALEXANDER. First Set. B-orke« 4 4.4.1 4,3,2,1 4,2, J, 0—33 (5) A'exander 0 2.0 1.6,5 4 1,1.4,4,4—35 (7) Ssrv-oud Set Tirorkes . 1 , t 4.0,4 1 5.2,4 2.4,2 4.2 4 4— 47 (9) A'exander I 2 0 1 2 1 X 1.1 1,1,4 2,4.1 12 — 42 (7) i llnul Set. > B-o kes . - 4,4 3,4 4 4.4.— 30 (6) j AlexPiicle- .. . 5 2,15,2,1,1,2—19(2) i Fourth Set. Brookes . 2.4 5 0,2 1,4.4,4,4—30(4) Alexander .. . 4 2,3,4,4,4,2,6,0.6—35 (6) Fifth Set. Brookes 4,0,4,2,4,3,4,6,4-31 (6) Alexander . 1,4.2.4 2,5,0.4,1—23(3) X. E Brooke*, 1"1 aces, F. B. Alexander,

Brookes won 21 service games and lost 7s. Alexander won 18 and lost 9. A. F. WILDING v. B. C. WRIGHT. First Set. • . Wilding 4,4,5,1.5,0,5 ,<\4— 28 (6)f Wright „ ,". .. .. 2,1,3 4,3,4,3,4,2—26(3) Second Set. * , Wilding .. .» .. 2,1,4,3,9,6,3,4,2,4,0,3—41 (5) Wright ... ,".« .. 4,4,1.5,7,4,5,2,4,2,4,5—47 (7) Third Set. Wilding 3,4,2,4,0,2,5,0,3—23 (3) Wright 5,1,4,2,4,4,3,4,3—32(6) Fourth Set. Wilding 3,1.1,1,0.4,2—12 (1) Wright 5,4,4,4,4,2,4—27 (6) Wilding won 11 service games and lost 8: Wright won 13 and lost 5. Brookes won 4 games to " love," Alexander won 3 games to " love," Wright won 6 games to " love," but Wilding did not win any game without the loss of at least one point. The competition was continued on Saturday in the presence of the largest orowd that ever watched a tennis match in this part of the world. Those present • were treated to some very exciting sport. The issue was in doubt until the end, and towards its conclusion the play was so close that, had the alternation of victory and defeat been arranged ..mathematically, itwould have been difficult to provide * - more equal struggle. But for mathematics ' had to be substituted living factors— two pairs of experts who were prepared to tax to i the utmost all their strength, swiftness, "and dexterity io uphold the reputation of the nations whose representatives they were. So well did they acquit themselves that when at last Australasia won, and America leapt the net to congratulate the victors, such cheers went up as have never before been heard on an Australian tennis court. Wright could not follow Brookes'e services in the first set. The Australasian pair played -splendidly together, and won the set — 6 games to A — after 24 minutes' play. Wright opened the secnod set, and won his service at 15. Wilding followed, an<J strong low driving and volleying by him and Brookes kept their opponents busy on the beck line. In the fourth game — Brookes serving — the American did not score a point. The winning "shot wasj>ne of those strokes which make Brookes" the master. Wright drove the ball hard and low at hjm. He received it just over the service line. The pace of the ball as it struck his racket was sufficient to send it flying back into the pavilion. But, » turn of the wrist, and, all its pace gone, the ball just curled up over the net and dropped so dead that neither Wright nor ■ Alexander, running from the back of the court, could reach it. The next game found every man at his best, and the result was a succession of rallies so sustained* in brilliancy that the crowd never stopped cheer — ing from beginning to end. Brookes and Wilding, finding themselves unable to win i by a lob, cannonaded the Americans with I long low drives from the back line. Tha game, a triumph for the brain of Brookes and the arm of Wilding, goes against the Americans, and the score is 3—2; Austra^ lasia. leads. Three games more in rapid succession by Brookes and Wilding, despite • all the strategy of the Americans, gave them the set, and made the score two sets to love in their favour. The third set opened with slack play all round, but soon slipped into another successionof exciting exchanges at net. Brookes and Wilding continued to hit hard and low. so I that the Americans should get as few chances as possible to score with their superior smashing overhead. Wrignt and Alexander were fighting for their last chance, and Alexander's magnificent serving in the third game gave them the lead . at 2—l.2 — 1. Brookes mixed a double in with even more wonderful serving in the next, and made the scoring for the set evenr The ; visitor's led at 5—4, but it was even again !at 5 all. Brookes and Wilding were within a few strokes of winning the match, three sets straight, but the American?, by a brilliant rush, just beat them off. At 6—5 in their favour Alexander behaved as if he were Victor Trumper and Brookes some two-prmnv-ha'penny bowler who needed knocking off in one over. Ho Slashed back each service witH a. terrifio drive, which not even Brookes could take, and Wright, whenever anything came his way, simply lobed or sought an opening for his partner with a snort drop over the net. In these circumstances Brookes lost his service, and the Americans, by a. brilliant recovery, scored their first set. Play had been in progress just under an hour and 10 minutes. The next set lasted just over a. quarter of an hour, and the Americans won at 62. Brookes and Wilding showed a sudden reversal of form, the former being right off his game. There was immense excitement when the fifth and deciding set starred. The American? started off well by winning the first two frame*. Brookes I hen showed up again, and "it wa» mainly through his "fine play that Austvalc-jia won the next two games, making the score even. Wright, with a fine effort, took th« leaxl asjain with a lovo game from hi* seivice. With Wilding serving, the- Americans went ricjhl away behind the back line, and lobbed -tubbornly, but a fine service took the game at 15, and made it 3— all. Alo.audti >ervc<l. Wilding, playing brilliantly, won the first strokein a little rally of hi"» own, while Brookes looked on. The latter made it love— 3o by driving hard at Wright's feet as ho stood at net. Then, when the Americana had been brought hard up on the net by a succe-siou of low drives. Wilding twice lobbed o\cr Wright's head, and won the game. The Americans Ihus Ic«t their service, and, reailv, the set, for, despite their magnificent efforts to recover the lost ground, Brookes won the next game on his service, anil made it 5—3.5 — 3. Wright took ihe next on hh service. 5—4;5 — 4; Australasia, leads. Then came the final -uuggle. Wilding serving, he missed the ni-»t, but lolleycd the second finely past Wright into tbe far corner. 15 — all. Wright cut the third service hard back for the centre of the court, but Brookes, with the intuition of tho master player, anticipated the stroke, and, jumping across, smashed it before either Wright or Alexander knew that ho was anywhere near the ball. 40—15. Amid intense excitement, Wilding served a double, and Brookee missed a lob. Douct. A long rally followed, and, after -v\ eral exchanges, Wright, in reaching for a short return, fell, just as he picked it up. Alexander, on the service line, jumped across and covered! the return from \Vilding, volleying it back, fast and low. Wilding again tried to elude him, but the paco of t) " L,' r-r''""'_ed him from turning it mui'i. al.'!a I .'! Alexander jumped back again, and wirh a quick flick of ihe r*c4iU£t, voiles „._, do ah h« oen*r«

fet. the court. But Brookes had worked over to cover the opening, and the "Victorian volleyed it back fast across to Wright'* corner. Alexander leaped lor the ball, amid the- wildest excitement, touch it, bat could- not quite get it back. Then "Vfeight got up. Wilding over-hit a \ volley, and it was advantage - striker. Again Brookes, with * dash Jtnd a smash at net, eased the game. Deuce. After a slow exchange, in which everyone was afraid to take the risk for a winning shot, Brookes beat Alexander by cutting an overhead ball across the court, where Alexander just failed to reach it. Advantage-server. Still -the Americans lobbed, but Brookes, taking them from Wilding wherever poßsible, refußed to *be tempted. Slowly he returned each at * lair pace to the back of the court, alwajj keeping the Americans a yard or two behind lie line. Then — just one short little hit over the net, and Wiight rushed down to 6coop it ' up, and by his mere impetus sent the ball gently sailing an inch over the back Jine. ' RESULTS. Brookes and Wilding (Australasia) beat Wright ana Alexander (America), 6—4, 6—2, 5—7, 2—6, 6—4. Tb» aces^scored axe as follows:— -First Set. Anstralasw,. .. .. „'. \ 4A*.8A4A,^0.4-r33 (fif America. ; ,; .... 1,1,2,10,4,1,4,2,4,2— 31 (4) Second Set. Australasia V 1^4,7,6,5,4—33 (6) America^.. 4,1,i5,5,Af1,1— 22 (2) Third Set. Australasia' .. .. 1.5,1,7,M>1,5,1.4-3.2— 35 <S) America 4,3:4.5,4,2,4,3.4 ,2,5,4— 44 (7) Fourth Set. Australasia 0,2,0,4,4,4,1,0—15 (2) America. 4,4,4.2,6,2,4,4—30 (6) Fifth, Set. Australasia. - .. .. 3,1,7,4,0,4,4,4,2.6—35 (6) America 5,4,5,2,4,1,1,2,4,4—32 (4) Total aces — Australasia, 151; America, 169. 'Brookes won 10 service games and lost 2; Wilding ■wen 9 and lost 3; Wright won 10 and lost 2; Alexander won 8- and lost 4. Australasia &qn 1 game to " love " ; America won 6 games to "love." Progress scores: — Australasia, 2 matches, 7 sets 70 games, 426 acee. America, 1 ma^ch, 7 sets, 70 games, 455 aces. It was very warm on Monday — the final** day of the competitions, — a hot north wind blowing. The -final stage comprised two singles matches, and the quality of the tennis reached a climax in the match between Brookes and Wright. Wilding was, however, the hero of the occasion. He undoubtedly won the Cup for Australasia. He may not be as brilliant a player as Brookes, but he is more solid and a better sticker. It may be said for Brookes, however, that he was somewhat ill on the final day. ' - Brookes won the d:oss, and tcok the first game- on his service. Wright spoiled his opening service ganie with two doubles, and, though Brookes did nothing very •good, he scored fcbe game. The third game i saw Brookes striking form, and Wright, j who was still awkward, did not take a poirrt. The American made a big effort in the fourth ,game or his service, but, after a couple of deuces, Brookes beat him with successive *hota down the side Hjies, and maos the -score 4- love, asi-d shortly afterwards 5 love. Wright failed to c.p anything against the striking out \of his opponent in the next game, which Brookes won at~ 15. This made Jove set to Brookes in 10 mimites. Though Wiright started the second set in better form, his game was still only child's play to Brookes, who was at his best. T3ie first game went to Brookes on his service, but Wright, with some fine low volleys at the net, took the next—his first game of the match. Each man won hia service games, the tennis improving as the set advanced, until the score was 4—34 — 3 in favour of Brookes. Then Brookes choso oa opportune moment for a brilliant run, and winning his opponent's service at 15, made the score 5—3. Brookes scored the set at- 5^5, and this led 2 — love in sets. Tie matah had so far been in progress less than half an hour, and Brookes had shown his best form for the whole match. The third set was the tunning point of the match. Each man won his service game until the score was 4 all, and Wright was serving. Brookes .passed him with magnificent drives on either side as he tried to get up to the net, and then, on the tihird stroke, Wright made a dash for a low volley, and, trying to «maeh, just landed the ball beyond the back -line. Wright's outlook was enough to daunt any otjrar tennis champion. It seemed merely to encourage him. A deadly service, two brilliant emaeh-as at net, a failure from Brookes on a volley, another terrific service, and he ka^d changed love— <IO to game. Brookes had missed hie chance, for, though he made the scores level at 5 all on his n-ext service, Wright took the next two games and tho 6et after 25 minutes of brilliant play. The third set proved a triumph for the bit? American, whese pl£y was now euperior to his opponent's in every department of the game. The brilliancy which had characterised the play of Brookes in tbe first three sets reappeared only in occasional love volleys from the service line. "Wright won at 6—2,6 — 2, and made sets even. It «eemed as if nothing- cculd withstand the American as be continued his victorious career through the fifth and final set. Brookes, though very apparently trying hard to recover, could get only three points in the first three games. He won his service in the fourth after a fine struggle, but all seemed over when he lost the next on Wright's £ervice, and read© the soor-a 4—l, Wright leads. Then Brookes made a last gallant effort, and showed some of has old brilliancy. Game after jrame foe picked up, until it was 4 oil. Them «n»e<| ti*e greatest figtit: «-ff«r «>ssn on a cbampior^klp court in Australia — po^siblr i<n the world. , Both men were terribly cxhauoved, y*t the tennis never fell below international standard. Each won his service gam-ie amidst great excitement, until the soo-re was 6 all. Then, after many deuces, Brookes won Wright's service, aod led at 7—5.7 — 5. Thirty-all was called, and tbe Australian was within two strokes of victory. But ha hr-oke down through exhaustion, and the score was even aErcin' Wright wen the next, but Brookes, o i his service, made the scores even at 8 all. But his opponent, after a long, exhaiisting game, took the lead again at 9—9 — 8. Brookes then made a last effort. Brookes won his service on the eighteenth game, and followed by securing a long ■eraiKe on Wright's next service. 10 — 9 : BrvToV^ lea-ds. Howwtct. tho American proved too good, and he took three saiii.es

in succession, and the set at 12 — 10. The whole match last&d for two and a-lialf hours, and the last set occupied an hour. Wright's recovery .vas magnificent, and, from his play in the other matches as well as thie, it seems ae-if he can only reach his best when his opponents are a set or two in the lead. Most of the spectators who saw Alexander press Brookes to a 5-£et match on Friday thought that the American would ba able to avenge his former defeat when ho met Wilding for the d^cidiing rubber of the contest, but no one was ever more mistaken than they, for Wilding, in just an hour oi magnificent, hard-hitting tennis, scored a most decisive win in etraight sets. The young New Zealand champion was content largely to stay on the back Ho — in marked -contrast to Alexander, — and it was the severity of his driving, added to magnificent serving, w,hich gained him the victory. His play was a revelation to the spectators, and friends whp had seen him perform at many chamodonship meetings in Europe declared that he played the finest game of hif life. The Davis Cup of 1908 must be known as Wilding's Cup. RESULTS. B. C. Wright (America) beat 2C. E. Brookes (Australasia), o— 6. 3—6. 7—5, 6—2. 12 — 10. A. F. Wilding (Australasia) beat F. B. Alexandei (America). 6—3, 6—4. 6—l. ANALYSIS OF SCORES. BROOKES v. WRIGHT. First Set, Brookes 4.4,4.7.4,4—27 (6) Wright -.. .. 1,2.0,5.2,1—11 (0) Secoad Set. Brookes 4,2,4.1,4,0.5,4.5—29 (6) WTigb* „ .. 2,4.2.4,0,4,3,1,3—23 (3) Third Set Brookes 1.4,2,4,1,4.5,4.3.4.0,4—36 (5) "Wright 4,2.4.0.4,0,7,2,5.2,4.6—40 (7) Fourth Set. Bro-kes 0,1,5,3.4,4.0,2—19 (2) Wright 4,4,3,5.1,2,4,4—27 (6) Fifth Set. Brookes .. 1.1,1,5,3,4.5,5.0,4.1,8,8,2.4.4,10 4,4,2.2,2—20 (10) Wright .. 4,4,4,3,5,2,3,3,4,1.4.6.6.4,6,2,1.2 2.0,4.4.4—27 (12) Brookes, 191 aces; Wright. 188 aces. Brookes won 21 service games and lost 8; Wright won 20 service games and lost 8. WILDING v. ALEXANDER. First Set. Wilding 4,5,4,3,4,2.4,2,4—32 (6) Alexander 1,3,1,5,1,4,2,4,0—21 (3) Second Set. Wilding 6.8,3,4,3.4,1,4,2,4—39 (6) Alexander 4.6,5,2,5.1,4,0,4,2—33 (4) Third Set. Wilding 4,4,4,4,7.4,4—31 (6) .Alexander 1,0,1.1,9,0,1—13 (1) Wilding, 102 aces; Alexander, 67 aces. Wilding won 13 service games and lost none ; Alexander won 8 and lost 5. Total scores : — Australasia, 3 rubbers, 12 sets, 117 games. America, 2 rubbers, 10 sets. 106 games.