THE DAVIS CUP

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 88, 18 August 1923, Page 5

THE DAVIS CUP

AUSTRALIAN SUCCESS. MEET U.S.A. IN THE FINAL. Press Association—Copyright. Australian an-l N.Z Cable Association. (Received 11.5 a.m.) Boston, August 17. In the doubles, the Australians defeated the French 6— B, 6—3, &—3, 6 —B, 9—7 and consequently meet the United States in the final for the Davis Cup. y . „ ( . .. , r In the doubles, -ffis>, '., Frenchmen showed great capacity doubles play. In the first set, both sidc3 exhibited fast and hard hitting, some of Anderson's overhead smashes bounding over the grandstand. All the men came up to the net, volleying at a great pace. Brugnon displayed the> best form, making remarkable ■angle shotg and ground strokes, besides covering the court ■with great rapidity. In the ninth game jthe Frenchman broke through AiidersonV service, and, becoming Qazzliugly fast>' .while the Australian's fell into error?, won the set by a margin of two games. In the next set, Anderson, who had been having hard luck with his service and losing on it every time, mado good, his opponents being barely able to return his service, and Hawkes smashing down each time for point. Hawkes' service, while giving trouble, was not so good .as yesterday. The Frenchmen recovered sufficiently to take three games, but the Australians put on the pace, and wore superior at the net, winning the set with ease. Thp next set fell to the Australians by a similar margin. The Frenchmen wore too eager returning shots which would have gone out, but on the other hand they were helped in the early stages by too many errors on Anderson's part. Hawkes and La Coste played tho steadiest game. The others went in for spectacular shots.

In the fourth set, play was patchy, both sides having a run of magnificent tennis an<i then dropping into tho depths of mistakes. Brugnon was constantly netting his drives and Anderson continually returning strokes over the line. Each side won alternately up to the twelfth game, and then the Australians weakened. With the help of very fine service by La Coste, the Frenchmen took the last two games find the sot. This youngster's service was hard and straight, and proved most effective. The Australians consider him to be the most promising of French players. AH through the doubles hi s backhand piled up points. Anderson's service, which usually counts so much towards giving tho Australians the victory, way to-day Very weak.