LAWN TENNIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1923, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

DAVIS CUP. THE WORLD IN COMPETITION. AUSTRALIA’S TEAM FOR 1923. The draw for the eighteenth Davis Cup contest was made by the officials of the United States Lawn Tennis Association in March. The contest is now divided into four stages. There is the American zone and European zone—four nations, namely, Cani.da, Japan, Hawaii, and Australia, have entered in the former zone, and thirteen nations, which are as follow, and arc in order, have entered in the latter zone: Argentine (has a bye at the top), Czechoslovakia v. Switzerland, India v. Ireland, France v. Denmark, Spain v. Rumania, British Isles v. Belgium; Italy and Holland both have byes, and meet one another in the second round. France has already beaten Denmark, and appears likely to come through in the top half. Spain may shake up the British Isles if. both get to the second round, and the | winner of that round will possibly meet ’ Italy in the semi-final. On paper, it looks ; like France and the British Isles fighting the final out. The winner will be called upon to play the winner of the American zone. Japan must beat Canada easily, r.nd Australia will treat Hawaii likewise, but it is hard to say if Anderson and the Victorian colts are good enough to dispose of the Japs. Anyhow, the winner of the meric an zone should be good enough to dispose pf the European champion team, vnd then the winner will be called upon to face the American team, in the actual final for the international championship and the Davis Cup. Portugal was just too late in getting a challenge in, and, :1though it could not be accepted, yet, reckoning it in, there have been eighteen challenges for the Davis Cup this year. Just fancy! Eighteen nations all eager and willing to face one another to decide who shall meet the United States in the final for the world’s* championship of lawn tennis. There is one point that is an object lesson to all other sports, and that is—every one of those challenging nations play the game under exactly the same rules. No tinkering with the rules is allowed, but if a nation desires a change it must give notice of same to the International Federation, which approves or throws out the suggestion. Once the federation approves of a change, then all nations must play the game under the rules as adopted by the Federation. No wonder lawn tennis continues to boom all over the world.

BROOKES’ SELECTION. Norman Brookes, the sole selector for Australia, has picked three Victorian players and one New South Wales player to uphold Australia’s honor in the big contest. Brookes is looked upon in Melbourne as the one and only selector cf teams for the Davis Cup, but one is inclined to think that even he has erred in bis latest selection. Patterson and O’Hara Wood were unable to go. J. O. Anderson, of Sydney, was naturally the first man picked, then John Bailey Hawkes, R. E Schlesinger, and I. D. Mclnnes, in that order. Hawkes is all right, but will have io show improved form to tha v which he gave in 1921 against Kumagae and Shimidzu if Japan is to be beaten. He will Eave his twenty-fourth birthday in June, so he has youth on his side. Schlesinger, who is 21 years of age, is reputed to be Victoria’s finest driver, and if that is cor-, rect he must be a champion, as Hawkes is a very fine driver; in fact, was considerably above the average two years ago. Schlesinger shone out last November in the interstate match against South Australia, beating R V. Thomas and C. Stuart. He lost the first set against Thomas, but pulled the match out of the fire by sheer grit. In the championship, A. Sieler, country champion of New South Wales, beat him, but Schlesinger beat Patterson in the semi-final of the Victoria championship, 3-G, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3. O’Hara Wood beat Mclnnes in the other semifinal, 9-11, 6-4, 6-1, 7-5, and then beat Schlesinger in the ’final, 6-0, 6-1, 5-6, 7-9, 6- Patterson has since beaten the colt, 7- 6-2. Mclnnes. who is only 21 years of age, has a very fine style; in fact, al! his strokes, and he has many, are well executed. He won the championship of Victoria for players under 21 years of age, when 17 years of age. Has a splendid tennis temperament, and is full of pluck, giving his very best when his opponent appears to have the upper handBut it is a question if he will stand the test of big tennis from the physical point, as last November he was ordered to give up the game as it was too strenuous for him. Since his selection it has been re- • a si IrrinkuK

has made a new man of him, and that he has lately shown great staying powers considerably above the average of most plaj’ers. Still, it is a great risk. However, good luck to the colts! May they rise to the occasion, and, with Anderson going at his best, bring the Cup South once more. The team might have been stronger with Clemenger and Sieler instead of the two Victorian colts, and from all accounts both of the New South Wales players were available for the trip. Still, the selector has picked the team, and so good luck to