A STRENUOUS CONTEST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 65

A STRENUOUS CONTEST.

HIGH PRAISE FOR WILDING. MELBOURNE, December 1. Norman Brookes seemed irresistible at the opening of the Davis Cup match yesterday; then Reals Wright's overhead play began to tell, and the third eet fell to America after a keen, exhausting struggle. Brookes struggled gamely, but the American had the master hand of him. Despite the- fact that Wright's outlook in the early part of the game was 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 Wiight as 'he continued his victorious cai-eer through the fiftu set. Brookes only got 3 points in the first three games. With the score at 4—l4 — 1 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 score stood 6 all. Brookes led with the next game, then it was even, and so, first one and then the other with the lead, until after a long game Wright led, £3—B.3 — 8. 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 cvp — for the Victorians have but one tennis idol, Brookes, and -when he w,as unsuccessful their aspirations were at a low ebb — the next match commenced. Wilding's play, however, iras a revelation. He contented himself with staying on the back line, in marked contrast to Alexander, and it was the eeverity of his driving and his magnificent serving which gained the victory, and the Davis Cup this year must be known as the Wilding Cap.