THE DAVIS CUP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3016, 3 January 1912, Page 37

THE DAVIS CUP.

TWO SINGLES DECIDED.

BOTH WON BY AUSTRALASIANS.

BROOKES AND HEATH IN GOOD FORM.

CHRISTCHURCH, January 1. Tlic eyes of the whole tennis world were fixed on Christchurch to-day, when what is officially termed “The International Lawn Tennis Chatnpionehip,” but is generally known as the Davis Cup contest, was commenced at Lancaster Park, tremendous interest lias been taken locally in this match for the* blue riband of the tennis world. The practice of the redoubtable visitors has been eagerly scanned with a view to forecasting the recult. Originally it was thought that the absence of Wilding from the defending nation would make just the difference between defeat and victory, and certainly past records would favour this view. Beals Wright in the hist Davis confect in w'hich he played defeated Brookes and Wilding in the singles, and on tins occasion he is accompanied by Earned, the acknowledged champion of America. But paper form is not conclusive. The latter s form in the training operations has net been convincing, and a« Brookes is recognised as being at the top of his form, the general opinion of late has been that the holders would have a fair chance, though the Americans were pronounced favourites. The Davis Cup was presented in 1900 by Mr Dwight F. Davis, a noted American player, who assisted to will the cup for America in the inaugural contest. The British Islcti made an attempt to wrest the cup in 1902. but were repulsed by 3 matches to 2. In 1903 the famous Doherty Brothers won a sensational encounter by 4 matches to 1. Belgium qualified for the challenge round in 1904, but never got a look in against England, locing the whole five matches.. Among four nations that challenged in 1905 America qualified by defeating Australasia, who had entered the lists for the first time, but they in turn wore again beaten by England, who won all five matches. Australasia wore again defeated by America in 1906 in the preliminary round, but with the same result, the holders retaining the cup without losing a match. In the following year Australasia turned the tables on the Americans, and in the

challenge round wreeted th© cup from the holders by 3 matches to 2. This was achieved by Brooke;!! winning- both his singles and Wilding one of his, the doubles match being lost. Thus the symbol of lawn tennis supremacy travelled to Australia, where it has remained ever since, notwithstanding two attempts by the Americans to annex it.

Elaborate preparation! had been made for the carrying out of th© historic contest' at Lancaster Park. A master hand at lawn making had been for months working at the sward, which has been roped off to keep the intruders out. All that time and work could do has been done, with the result that a more perfect piece of lawn could hardly be seen the world over. Indeed, it has been "stated that it compares favourably with the noted centre court at Wimbleton—the “Mecca” of lawn tennis. A huge stadium has been erected, the court being completely enclosed with tier upon tier of seats, from which a splendid view can bo obtained. This huge structure provided seating accommodation for 4000 people, and served as an admirable breakwind for the play. There was a large attendance, probably over 3000 people being present, including his Excellency the Governor and suite. The weather could not have been better. A warm nor’-wester £rom early morning had dried up th© court considerably, apd at the time for starting play the sward was as hard as a brick, and looked as true as a billiard table. There was very little wind at th© start, but it freshened as th© afternoon wore on, though not sufficiently to inconvenience the players. The surprise of the day was Lamed’s defeat by Heath. -Th© general opinion was that Australasia’s only chance of retaining the Davis Cup was for Brookes to win both his Singles, and for he and Dunlop to annex the Doubles, but Heath upset all calculations by outplaying Lamed, and America’s chance of lifting the cup seems to be very rejnote. The Doubles will be played tomorrow,. Brookes and Dunlop meeting Wright and M Loughlin. Wright opened hostilities by serving from the north end, and Brookes failing to return it, th© first ace went to the American. Wright found the net and made it 15 all, but scored the next, a double fault then making the scores 30 all. Brookes was outmanoeuvred for position, and lost the next two aces, th© American thus winning th© first game to 30. Brookes equalised by getting the next game, going straight out after his opponent won the first ace. Wright contributed to this by rather wildly putting the last two out of the court. Wright got a couple of hot serves in th© third game, getting 30 love, but then Brookes wont right out, a masterly smash from th© service line, a double fault, and failure to score down the side line by Wright giving the Australian th© third game. Brookes got to 40 love in the next, Wright netting twice. The latter then got back a hot service with a scoring stroke, and after a good rally scored with a clever chop shot across the court Brookes got the next ace, and the game 3 —l. The next game went to douce, both players getting some clever work at the net, Wright got the next two scores with a fine smash and a pretty side lino cut stroke, making it 3 —2 against him. H© scored one ace in the next game, landing a chop shot at Brookes’s feet, but then found the net three times, one beipg a fairly easy smash. Wright got to 30 love in the aext game, and then double faulted and made it 40—15 with a beautiful low volley. The Victorian then scored with a nice low drive, but Wright smashed a weak return and got the game. The next game went to 30 all, but Wright found the net, and Brookes completed the win by getting in some cleverly placed low volleys that got the American out of position. After a good rally the ninth game also went to 30 all, but some fine overhead work by Wright scored the next two aces and the game 5—3. Brookes made no mistake about the next game. He scored with his first service, then with a beautiful volley, and following his next two services—good ones too —to the not, had difficulty in disposing of the returns. The first set thus went to the holders amid great applause. Wright annexed the first game in the second set, losing only one ace, and that a double fault. Brookes weakly netted the last two shots. In the next game Wright lobbed out, and lost the first stroke, but scored th© next four aces by beautiful play at the net. Wright scored the next game after 30 all had been oaflled. A fine cross court volley and an irresistible serve made the score 3 —love in his favour. The fourth game reached 40 all, but then Wright drove the next two out of the court. 3 —l. In the fifth game Brookes got to 40—15, but Wright equalised, and then a couple of weak strokes by Brookes made it game for Wright.. The same player got the first two scores, in the next game, but Brookes equalised. Wright, however, was not to be denied, and Brook&s, taking matters somewhat easily, lose two ace® and the game. Wright only scored once in the next game. Ho was twice foot faulted, and weakly netted, winding up with a double fault. 5 —2. The next game was the longest of the match deuce being called seven times. Brookes then double faulted, and Wright scored the winning ace with a beautiful cj- oss court volley that just touched the line. The sot thus went to Wright by 6 —2. Brookes opened the third set badly, only scoring one aco and sending two out of court and finding the net twice. The next was a' love game to Brookes. The third game was a love game to the American, who started with a pretty crose-court volley and finished with a beautiful shot down the side line. Wright only got two uccs in the next, Brookes annexing the gam© by passing Wright with a pretty low volley. 2 all. Wright drove the first two ©hots out in the fifth game, but scored with a hard drive. Wright left th© next one, thinking it was out. Brookes got to th© next for the last ace, and had his adversary on th© run, finally winning- with a.neat volley by very clever placing. Boqkes scored every ace in the next gam©. Wright finding the Victorian’s service difficult to get back with any degree of certainty. Deuce was called in th© next game, but then Brookes scored with a low- driveacross court, and won the game with a pretty back hand passing shot-. 5—2. In the next game Wright got an almost impossible servo back and scored. He then smashed an easy shot, and after Brookes had scored a couple of aces the American twice worked Brookes out of position and scored. Brookes reached 40—15 in the next game, but then netted. He mad© no mistake about th© next, winning the set amid great applause with' a fin© forehand drive down the side line. 6 —3.

When the fourth set was started Wright looked somewhat distressed by his strenuous exertions, while Brookes looked quite fresh. The Victorian lost the first ace by finding

the net, but he then dominated the position at the net, keeping the American jigging from side to side., The latter’® lobbing waa of no avail, and lie wound up with a wild stroke into the net. The American madq it one ail with some pretty net play, the last scoring stroke being a cleverly-placod volley'. Brookes again liad Wright on the run in the third game, winning three acoa in this way and each time scoring with a smash from an attempted lob. The American only scored onoc._ Wright again equalised the games, winning the fourth, for though Rrookes won the second and third acos he then put two over the side line and the last one into the net. .Thq fifth game was 40—15 in favour of Brookes ( and the latter clinched the argument, outmanoeuvring his opponent for position and then scoring with a volley. Wright got in tome fine serves in the next game, and finished up by getting to the net and scor« ing. Once more Brooke® got the leadi, losing only one ao© in the seventh game. His last scoring stroke was a neat volley after having his opponent running from side to side. 30 all wa® called in the next’ game, but then a magnificent rally found Brookes in a scoring position. W right netted the next, making the games 5—5 in favour of Brookes. In the last gamo Brookes served magnificently. He reached 40—15 and then got a hot first service, in. which W r right could only get into the net. The Australian thus scored the first match amid great applause. It had occupied an hour and 25 minutes. \ After an interval of about half an hour, to of the court beng rolled, Heath and learned appeared. The former had the first service from the north end. Lamed scored the /first ace with a nice drive. Heath double faulted, and then drove out, making the score love 40 The Victorian equalised with a telling serve and a couple of fiuo low drives, but Lamed then dropped one just over the net and got the game. Tha American also scored the next game to 30, Heath appearing a bit rash. The score, wag 40 all in the next, but Heath scored his first gamo by a couple of hot serves, which Lamed hit out of court. Forty all waa .also called in the next game, but then Lamed failed with a side line shot, and Heath scored .with one, making the games two all. Again deuce was called, bub Heath put the next out, and Lamed scored with a pretty side line shot. Heath was a bit wild in the next game, and only scored two aces, Lamed also getting the seventh game by the same margin. The American got the' last with a love game, his play being very forceful and accurate. The seb thus ended by 6 to 2 in his favour. Three times in the next game Heath scored through good serves, the only aco ha lost being through a double fault. He waa now playing much better, and after deuca had been called several times a couple of fine forehanded drives found the American two games clown. The Latter, however, after 40 all had been called in the next, gob in a fine drive, and then got the game through Heath driving out. The fourth game found the Australian at the top of his form. He lost only one stroke, and ha scored both the last two aces by a pretty side line shot and a cross court volley. Lamed scored the first acc in the next, bub Heath then went to 40, the last stroke being achieved with a magnificent lob from whab appeared to be a winning shot. This nonplussed the American, who lost the next stroke and the game, 4 —l. Heath was now driving with great power and precision, an<| again Lamed only scored once, the game* being s—l5 —1 against him. Lamed only scored twe aces in the seventh game, and them lobbed out, the set going to Heath, 6—l, The first gome in the next stood at deuce, but Lamed dropped a low drive just over the net, and then got the game with a good service. Heath equalised the games after deuce had been called several times, and he several times had Lamed running. Heath went to 30 love in the next, but Lamed then went out, scoring the last two accq with hot serves. In the next Heath agaiif . got in some good drives, Lamed only win< ning one stroke and giving Heath the gam< by missing an easy smash. Heath put sevo* ral cut of court in the rext game, which Lamed won to 15, and then scored the nexb by the same margin. Lamed leading by 4to 2. Heath, however, was still improving in steadiness, and the American only got one aoe in the next game, Heath closing tho argument with a beautiful drive down tha side line. The Australian got the nexb game to 30, Lamed now appearing a bib rattled, and missing several snots that were not difficult. The players went to deuce in the next, but then Lamed double faulted and put one into the net. The American, however, made it 5 all, several good shots down the side line shaking Heath’s defence. Heath again led, for after douce hod been called Lamed netted a couple of strokes. The American put two strokes out of court in the next game, only scoring one ace, and giving Heath the set by netting a nob difficult drive.

In tho first game of the riext set Heath made some pretty shots, and learned, after getting to deuce, lost the next two aces and the same. In the next game tho serious* position seemed to have Lamed rattled ,an<| several weak stroke® gave Heath the game to 30. The American, however, scored the next, beating his opponent twice with pretty, cross court shots, and he got the next chiefly by the aid of some nice drives. Forty all was reached in the next, but then Heath scored with a cross court volley, and Lamed double faulting gave him the game. Lamed lest the jfirst three aces in the next game by hitting into the net, and he gave Heath a love game- by hitting the next out. Tho American was right off his game, probably a.s the result .of Heath’s confidences and accuracy. I,a rued only scored one aco in the next game, and after getting to 30 in the eighth failed to score another. Heath going right out to 6—2, and winning the match bv 3 seta to 1. , Mr F. M. B. Fisher was the umpire for tlhe first match, ami Mr J. C. Peacoalc officiated for the other. Scores:— N. E. B-ookes (Australasia) defeated Beala Wright (America), 6—3. 2—6. 6—3, 6 —3. R. W. Heath (Australasia) defeated W. A’.Lgrned (America). 2—6, 6—l, 7—5, 6—2. NOTES ON THE PLAY: (From Ocr Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH. January 1. Perhaps no tennis has ever been played upon a more perfect court than that prepared for the great matches of to-day. There may have been one blade of grass too many, or one short of an absolutely perfect court but otherwise no fault could be found. Many export judges agreed that, tho ground was superior to the famous centre court at Wimbledon. As regards the crowd, tho only complaint was that there was not enough of it, an adjacent trotting meeting- drawing many sports away from the Davis’ Cup. It was the conduct of the crowd, however, that was

bo very excellent. The onlookers wore as keen as mustard, and thoroughly appreciative of every good shot, whether from the racket of an American or an Australian. The umpiring was as good as umpiring usually is. Mistakes were made by the linesmen. There always are, but it must be said that the mistakes were impartially divided between both teams, and it cannot be said that any set or match turned upon a wrong decision. Mr r. M. B. Fisher, M.P., took the chair for the match between Norman Brookos and Beals W right.

The meeting between these two was looked forward to with the most intense interest. They had met on four occasions previously, and the American had been successful three times. Two years ago in Melbourne Brooks suffered defeat at the hands of Beals Wright by 12 games to 10 in the fifth set, and here was the farst chance that had come to Brookes of having his revenge. And ho got it. As both men came on to the court it was evident that neither was wanting in condition, and the end of the match saw them both physically fit, despite the severity of the game. Brookos won 35 strokes to his opponent’s 23 in the farst set. There were some most brilliant rallies; Both men were following in their hard services, well placed, and with an almost entire absence of twist. » hilst Wright’s allots were severe, the wonderful anticipation and extraordinary recoveries of Brookos enabled him to keep far enough ahead to win. Brookes’s placing was accurate and well judged. It was only the remarkable condition and tenacity of Wright that enabled him to make the issue at all doubtful. His famoug lobs 40ft high and dropping a few inches within the court, were called into requisition again and again, but Brookes was always there, cool, collected, and imperturbable, ready to volley with greatest precision down either line or else return the compliment and send back a real American sky-scraper. In the second sot Wright forced the pace, and playing beautifully he won the set at 6—2. The last game was a prolonged struggle, there were no less than 22 points played before it was decided. Seven times Brookes had the .vantage point, and seven times did Wright win the succeeding aces, until by a groat effort the hard-working, persistent American won, and the scores stood at one set all The strokes were as .follows: Wright 38, Brookes 29 The aggregate strokes were now: —Brookos 62, Wlight 61. It was evident that the tremendous energy and the fierceness of attack displayed by Wright told its tale, for in the third set Brookes was again able to assume command. Brcokcs ran out a winner by 5 games to 3. The crowd was greatly excited, and there was a tremendous buzz as the fourth set •was commenced. Brookes rover turned a hair from end to end of the match He was as placid at the end of the match as at the start. Whatever bo i may have felt hr certainly evinced no lack of condition. Wright looked as though lie had run a long ß way in a hurry, but he also looked able to go double tho journey. Tridj. both men were fit. Brookes won the third set by 28 aces to 19. and the aggregate-. wereT Brookes, 90; Wright, 80. The second set had evidently left its mark on Wright, for his accuracy was much im paired. His extraordinaryrecoveriesh.s terrifically severe smashes, his great efteit to reach his opponent a well-placeci passin„ chotTbad told the taie. Whilst Wright was game to the end, he was not equal to the task of stemming the tide, Hrookes ran out a winner by 6 games to 3—29 t 19. The aggregate points for the four sets were 119 to 99. It was a well-merited wm, and the crowd was generous in ite. tubutes to these two great international players. learned and Heath came on soon alter, and to the unutterable astonishment pi those who thought they know all about it. Heath ran out a winner by 3 sets to rThat Lamed was not on his game was quite evident, but full credit must be given to Heath for a first-class dispiaj of sound tennis. Lamed won the firet 6—2, without any great effort, but from this on went gradually to P'ecec. As fast as he grew worse Heath grew bettet, and so the veteran, seven tunc 6 Single champion of the United States, was beaten by the brilliant young Australian. it was totally different tennis to that of the preceding match. Lamed had been troubled with rheumatism the last day or two, and this seemed to worry mm grea ly. Just here and there one would see flashes of brilliancy interspersed with bad mistake* and grievous errors. In one game Lamed hit four consecutive shots clean out of the court, but even so Heath’s game was- made up of good, sound tennis. no served well, volleyed well, and player fore and back hand with a confidence that surprised many of those who gave him no chance. There was huge delight amongst the crowd at the unexpected win by the home team of tho first two tests. There is no game more full of surprises than lawn tennis. Those who gave Heath no chance against Lamed now give Lamed no chance against Brookes, but what Heath did to Lamed Lamed may yet do to Brookes. Tho real Lamed has not yet been seen.

To-morrow tho Doubles will be played, and if Australasia wins that the fate of tho Cup is settled for another year. Whatever the results to-morrow are Darned will meet Brookes, and Wright will meet Heath tho following day. Four men watch the court all night, ready to cover it with a tarpaulin in the event of rain. The outlook at present is fine.

In the second set it was evident that Darner! was not in his best form. He began to limp, and was slow in starting for short returns, and was often caught on the wrong foot. Those who were in the know spoke of (rheumatism, and that really was the trouble. Darned has been a martyr to rheumatism for some years, and- he had it rather badly in the leg yesterdav afternoon. However, he felt fairly fit at the start of the set, and thought he could last sufficiently to boat Heath. As a matter of fact it Would have been wiser had lin been sclented for this match, and Darned probably realised that when it was too late. Jt is doubtful if he will be well enough to do himself justice in the other single he has to play on Wednesday, and possibly the defenders may allow M‘Lough!in to take his place in case of necessity. At the same time it is onlv fair to Heath to say that he played a fine game after ho once got going, and that, even against M'Dmighlin he would probably have been victorious. He soon dropned to the fact that it paid him to keep back ami not let Darned in to the net-