TENNIS

Southland Times, Issue 20496, 26 May 1928, Page 19 (Supplement)

TENNIS

THE ITALIAN VICTORY The victory of the Italians over the Australians came as a surprise to most and no matter what Tilden and others may say about the unusual conditions the Australian players and public got a nasty shock. The doubles match was the deciding factor. J. B. Hawkes gives the following interesting account of the five set tussle in a special story to the Melbourne Age. After five strenuous sets Italy won tho vital doubles match from Australia, 6 —3, 6_4, I—6, I—6, 6—2. The match was played under sunny conditions. The court was perfect. De Morpurgo served and lost the open- I I ing game to love, the Australians begin- ; ning brilliantly. [ Hopman through a faulty decision then I lost his service. Caslini and Hopman were i volleying erratically. j Patterson won his service, gaining the lead for Australia—3—l. The tennis was | patchy. De Morpurgo won a service game to love, Patterson twice hitting wildly from the court. Hopman again lost service. He was continually caught with the ball at his end of the set. though Patterson thrice daringly intercepted them. Caslini won his service to love, De Morpurgo intercepting the returns. CAPTAIN’S BRILLIANCE. Many bad decisions occurred against both sides, causing pandemonium among the crowd and somewhat upsetting the Australians. Patterson lost a love service and Italy won the set, mainly due to the captain’s brilliance. Caslini improved at the end of the set. Though a decision in the second game cost the Australians the lead, Hopman was now making many mistakes. De Morpurgo was unmercifully slashing his service. Patterson’s form was erratic, especially on the forehand. Hopman won his opening service in the second set, delivering slower and getting closer to the net in an attempt to frustrate De Morpurgo’s drive. The Italians played well together and broke Patterson’s service. They were now

leading 3 —l. De Morpurgo especially was unbeatable and his brilliance inspired Caslini to greater heights. De Morpurgo lost his service to the Australians and evened the scores at 3—3. It was, however, plainly evident that the latter must slow their game to win since the Italians were suited by a hardhitting game. Patterson again lost, and Hopman made several costly mistakes at the net, giving De Morpurgo a useful two-set lead. He was playing superb tennis, while Caslini was at his best. Both players returned ths service wonderfully, frequently trapping the Australians at their feet. UMPIRE CHANGED. The umpire and linesmen continued to make bad mistakes, and at one stage resembled a comic opera, with everybody gesticulating. The crowd, thrilled at the prospects of an Italian victory, got out of the control of the umpire. The captains called a halt and demanded a new umpire. Servents, the first day’s umpire, then took charge, satisfying the players and the spectators. Italy was now in a strong position. Changing ends for his service, Hopman won the first game of the third set, and broke through Caslini. The Australians, slowing up the game and tossing repeatedly, gradually broke up the opposition. Caslini especially missing many easy volleys. The Australians won the set, losing one game. Patterson here was playing great tennis, while Hopman was improving rapidly. The tennis, devoid of rallies, was not impressive, though the result of the match made it exciting. The fourth set was exactly similar, De Morpurgo twice losing his service. The Australians’ tactics had vastly improved, and they were combining beautifully. Caslini was rattled, though De Morpurgo was battling hard. THE LAST SET. Patterson was still playing well, and Hopman was at his top, returning the service excellently. There were many exciting rallies at the net, the Australians out-volleying their opponents. Patterson was serving finely, though slowly, and the game was benefiting the Australians. The crowd cheered wildly when Hopman lost a love service at the opening of the fifth set. De Morpurgo also lost a love service through netting his volleys. Patterson, in the next, would have broken through, but experienced wretched luck, the Italians scoring two successive points off their racquet handles. Casi’ini suddenly improved, and won his service, and Hopman again lost a service. He was double-faulting and volleying feebly

De Morpurgo, playing brilliantly, gained a winning lead 5-1. Patterson made his last effort for Australia, and won his service, scoring three clean aces. Then, amidst tremendous excitement, Caslini won his service, and the match. De Morpurgo deserves full credit for his great game. He was easily Ihe best of the four. Caslini whs patchy, but came at u pinch in the last set. The Italian pair received a flattering reception from the wildly excited crowd. Patterson played a good doubles game, though he was erratic in the opening two sets. Hopman’s service in the first and fifth sets was weak, but otherwise the colt played a fair game, although the strain told in the vital last set, and he broke into numerous errors. £93‘T3S SXO‘ZB9J