BROOKES THE CHAMPION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 128, 6 July 1914, Page 7

BROOKES THE CHAMPION.

A BATTLE OF GIANTS. WILDING LOSES THREE STRAIGHT SETS. By Cable. —-Press Association.—Copyright. LONDON, July 5. Brookes beat Wilding at Wimblettoa in the All England \ Championship Singles, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5. ; . • The match was played in brilliant weather, and there were 10,Q00 people present, including many Australians. Wilding won the toss, but was greatly >. „ troubled by the strong sun, and failed■; .with ' many easy smashes. It was a - match between hard driving synd seientific volleying. „

Brookes was almost impenetrable at the net. Wilding, after a while; abandoned back-line driving, and tried lobbing, in which he was faulty. The Australian's victory was received with a hurricane of cheers. First Set. Brookes, in the first set, led 4-i, i scoring repeatedly .with beautiful little push .shots just over the net,'.' whipb. , Wilding strove in vain to reaejr* ,By [powerful, finished.driving, the New Zealander secured the next three games. -Brookes • led 5-3, and Wilding was within, a point of squaring at but set with a net* cord : .*.y - •••v: ... ;Seco>* Set. : In the' second,,set, W*S*ling obtained I the- first lead, 3-2. Thev all square,' 4-4. Then ensued a keen slfti*gle, deuce being called repeatedly iii-v-. the ninth game. Even then ; nearly saved the set by picking Tip 0-40 to 30-40 in the tenth game. ■ : Third Set. :; V' ■. ' The third set was a battle of I Wilding led 2-0, but let Brookes in | losing the service. The latter j wonderful luck with hef cord jthough every Avin'ning .shot, 'was. | ou.sly contested. Wilding led 3-iC" Brookes showed fine judgment in handling t&e chaiiipioii's lobs, many • ,©,# _ _ ' which .w<*re Short; 1 Brookes's feroSs leys niarv^Hous,' and * nohphi Wilding,- who relied so much ©» strength of his 4 drives. Brookes 'leu - 4-3, but lost the service, after leading [4O-301 Wilding led 5-4, but Brookes squared and captured Wilding's next service. *' *

The last game was the most thrilling seen on the court. JEJi-ookes led 30-0, but! Wilding squared 30 all. Twiee Brookes came within a point of win--. ning-,the set, and twice Wilding saved. . He then netted the ball,, and Brookes clinched the match with an untakeable drop volley off a swift drive. Wonderful Tennis. Brookes's anticipation of the champion's returns was masterly. It was ■ the skill of the tactician versus the v, ; power of the athlete. Few of the lat : ter's drives got beyond Brookes. The '' Observer'' says that Brookes's volleying settled the match. He gave the greatest exposition of tennis to date. " ' [The decisive victory of N. E. Brookes over A: Wilding in three straight sets for the tennis championship ©f * England is sure to occasion much surprise in tennis circles, both at Home and in the colonies. Seven years ago the Victorian player also had his name enrolled on the championship holl. Wilding has held the coveted title for the past five years, and he and Brookes won tire doubles championship in 1907. The splendid, form exhibited by Brookes throughout the present English season points to his ' being right on the top of his form, and suggests great possibilities of the Australasian team once again annexing the: Davis Cup.J • ' :

OTHER RESULTS. Mrs Chambers beat Jirs Larcombty J 7-5, 6-4. : -■ Wilding and Mile. Broquedis beat Aitken and Mrs Hannaott in the semiJinal.of the combined doubles, 6-3, 4-6. DAVIS CUP TIE. AUSTRALASIA v. CANADA. (Received July 6, 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 0. The secretary of the' Lawn Tenuis Association has been advised that the tie between Australasia and Canada, in the first round of the. Davis Cup is to commence at Chicago on-July 23.