DAVIS CUP FINAL

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 100, 1 September 1923, Page 5

DAVIS CUP FINAL

FiRSt IMATCH TO AUSTRALIA, ANDERSON BEATS JOHNSTON. Press Asoociatioia—Copyright. Aui jralian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 9.50 a.m.) New York, August 31. The final round of the Davis Cup began to-day at Forest Hill courts between the United States and Australia. , The first match between Johnston (United States') and Anderson (Australia) was won by the latter 4 —6, 6 — 2, 2 — 6, B — 6, 6 — 2. The weather conditions were ideal, but the courts were not very good, the turf being only a year old.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAY. THE FIRST SET. Press Asaor-iation—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 10.25 a.m.) New York, August 31. In the first set,'Johnston who had the service aeed Anderson. Twice Anderson netted three times. Johnston won 3—2. Anderson took the second game to Jove. Johnston, playing to Anderson’s backhand, drove the Australian into errors, and the American. won the third game 4—2. But Anderson showed that his backhand wa B onei of the most powerful •strokes in his repertoire. He also won the fourth, 4—2, catching Johnston in mid-court, with hard drives.

Johnston won the fifth, 6—3, Anderson having difficulties in returning his opponent’s service. Anderson won the sixth game 4—.1, again frustrating Johnston’s efforts against his backhand. The Austrarlian, by some remarkable forehand volleys and stop-volleying that brought the crowd to its feet, broke through Johnston’s service in the seventh game, when the score stood thirty fovc against him, and won it at 5—3.

But ho weakened, and Johnston took the eighth. 4—2. Both men indulged in tactics in the next each trying to catch his opponent ciT the mark by a change of pace. With tricky stop-volleys, Johnston proved a trifle the better, and won the ninth 4—l. Anderson now suffered an unexpected and serious showing up, permitting Jolmston to run away with the tenth game, the American breaking through the Australian’s service and winning the game love, and the set G—o. v ■ ; ■ i Ui s;

SPARKLING TENNIS. ANDERSON’S BRILLIANCY. (Received 11.30 a.m.) New York, August 31. In the second set, Anderson’s disconcerting play in the first seemed forgotten when he began to show sparkling tennis, all his strokes working well, and he won the first gam© 4—2, breaking through Johnston’s service. He then again dropped in quality, Johnston breaking through his service, and driving so bard on the returns of the service that the Aits*tralian conld not handle them. The American won the second game 4—2, but Anderson took the third on his opponent’s service. Johnston at this point was playing badly, driving out or netting all the returns. Anderson continued his brilliant playing, and won the fourth love on his service.

He then showed tennis such as has never been, seen this season or for many years past, for after Johnston stood 40-—love on his service. Anderson scored tour placements and won the fifth gam© 5 —3. Anderson dropped the sixth by double-faulting twice and driving out on easy! shots. Johnston won the sixth 4-4-2.

Anderson, despite his errors, continued to play such magnificently brilliant tennis that the spectators wore ontinuously on their feet cheering. He broke through Johnston’s sendee in the seventh game, winning it 4—2, and despite double faulting twice in the eighth game he served an aoe and forced Johnston to net. By a cleverly-placed shot he won this game 4— 3, and the set 6—2. in the third net, Johnston showed h» s ability to come back after being shattered by his opponent’s good play. The American now played with cool and serious intent, placing his shots with uncanny precision. Ho won the first game 5—3, driving close to the lines and making the Australian o train for impossible av coveries. - Anderson won the second game 4—JL after double-faulting by imitating his opponent’s car© in placing shots and catching Johnston in the same predicament. The latter, however, made his service count by sending a ball over like a cannon-shot, and won the third game 4—l. Then by clever placements, , he broke through Anderson’s service, winning the fourth love. In this ho outplayed the Australian. Anderson then came to the fove with some more of his sparkling play, winning the fifth 5 —3 on his opponent’s service after the latter stood 40—love against him. . It was most remarkable to note how both players alternately reached the. heights and depths of tennis j at

ona moment they were unbeatable* and then they lapsed aud became astoundingly weak* Johnston walked through Ander-* Service, winning the sixth: 4_2 and the seventh 4- 1, serving two aces and making a placement. The American won the eighth off Anderson’s service, love. It was heartbreaking to see the Australia* stand helpless before the American s slirewed placements and hard drives,. The American won the set 6—3*

ANOTHER ACCOUNT, (Exclusive to the Australian Prcsii Association.) (Received HAS a.m.) New York, August 31.j u the Anderson v. Johnston match, both started ■well off the mark, driving hard from the back line. The games went with the service to 3 nil, Anderson in particular driving brilliantly to the forehand. Johnston seemed slightly out of touch in the middle of the set. Andersen broke through his service m the seventh game, the American netting the backhand. Johnston, however, recovered form, driving deep to An derson’s backhand, and following, into the net, volleying decisively, he won the next three games and the set. , . Anderson was at the top of h form in the second set, and played wonderful tennis. He commenced by winning Johnson’s services by deep drives to hi 8 back-hand, forcing the American to net, but ho lost his own service in the Second game through two double-faults. In the next three games Anderson was brilliant, taking the lead Johnson’s strokes seemed ‘to lack ex-| cessive pace, enabling the Australian to force him to make errors. Anderson in the fifth game wa* love-forty on Johnson’s service, but recovered splendidly, hitting two deland back-hand aces past. Johnson at the net, followed by two terrific angle forehands. The sun was bad at one end of the court. Anderson lost tlie next .serve through doublefulting, but recovered, winding the next two games and the set 6 —2. Throughout the set Johnston was not so confident as usual, and frequently netted low balls on the fore* hand and cut the backhand into the net. He was forced ttf make erroi s by the; Australian’s pace.

PLAYERS ALL OUT. TWELVE HARD GAMES* (Received 12.40 p.m.) New York, August 31. After ten minutes’ rest, which thSl players needed, both having shown signs of fag when leaving the courts* the match was resumed. . 1 . Tiro first game showed both! playera at their worst, making errors ref peatedly on easy shots. The game wavered with errors until Johnston; netted and lost tit .8-—6. The American broke through Anderson’s service,- the later playing weakly, and Johnston won the nest, game 4—2. ; He. was still attempting to drive to Anderson's backhand, but the, shots lacked the requisite speed, and Anderson was able to run round and take them at the forehand. Thet Australian broke through the Amerii can’s service, winning the third 5—3.; Anderson, ...again, bnpging his stinging forehand into play won the fourth 4- Jr>hnston was dropping into! errors, and strangely ponnitting ■shots to go by him that he could liavd reached,; while he waa steadily watching them. Anderson won the fifth, breaking through Johnston’s service. The Australian gained the final pant by a placement yo the base line and Johnston’a doublesfault. Anderson now had another erratic patch, driving easy shots out. The American won the sixth 4 —2 on Anderson’s service, Johnston resumed the tactics of driving to the Australian's back-hand, and repeat edly succeeded in forcing his opponent into errors, and won the seventh 5 Both men were playing a , back-court game, Johnston alone oq- • casionally coming to the net. The eighth game waa spectacular* despite the astounding number of. errors made by the players. Anderson made a wonderful recovery, winning the final point on Johnston’sj out. Again Anderson’s errors counted heavily against him, Johnston winning the ninth and tenth, but the latter showed himself weak on crucial points in the eleventh game bv netting easy overhead shot and • then driving out, .Anderson also won the eleventh 4—3, and though he double-faulted hq won the next* and with it the sot 7—5.;

TILDEN DEFEATED HAWKES. AN EASY WIN. Association—Copyright, Aw traiian #ad N.Z. Cable Association. (Received' 10.50 a.m.) New York, Ai.gust 31. Tilden deleated Hawkes 6—4, 6—S, 6— -1. lii the doubles to-morrow, Tildea and Williams will play Anderson and Hawkes,