THE DAVIS CUP.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1924, Page 8

THE DAVIS CUP.

AMERICA DEFEATS AUSTRALIA, HOLDERS WIN EVERY MATCH, ti-X ALL ROUND SUPERIORITY. The Davis Oup, the blue ribbon of lawn tennis, has been retained by the United States (holders) in their match against Australia (challengers), the Americana winning the first two singles, the doubles and the final two singles. The matches resulted:— W. T. Tilden (UjS.A.) defeated G. L. Patterson (Australia), 6—4, 6 —?, 6—2. Vincent Richard® (U.S.A.) defeated P. O’Hara Wood (Australia), 6—3, 6—2, Tilden and W. M. Johnston (UJS.'A.) defeated Patterson and Wood 5 —7 6—3, 6—4, 6—-1. [Richards defeated Patterson 6—3, 7 —5, 6—4. Tilden defeated Wood 6—2, 6 —U, 6—<l. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. New York, Sept. 12. In the Davis Cup doubles Tilden and Johnston beat Patterson *nd Wood 5—7, B—3, 6—4, B—<l. America retains the Cup. The doubles were played in perfect sunny weather, the only handicap being a strong cross-court wind. There was a large attendance. Johnston, serving, won the first. Wood the second, Tilden the third and Patterson the fourth 5—3. He was winning 3—o in this game when he double-faulted twice, permitting the Americans to go to deuce. Patterson was deadly overhead, earning many points and killing Johnston's defensive lobs. He was weak however, on ground strokes, and this resulted in numerous errors. The games alternated with the service until the score was 4 all. A break came in the ninth game when Johnston's service cracked. He stood o—4o and lost after reaching 30—40, but. the Americans retaliated, breaking through Wood in the tenth, and the score stood five all. It cannot be said that the Americans were a smooth-work-ing doubles team.

Johnston’s error proved costly, he being unable to handle Patterson's service and missing many easy returns. The Australians led 6—5 When they cracked Tilden's service In the eleventh. Patterson pulled his service out from 15—80. winning the twelfth 50—30, and the Australians thus won the set 7—5. In the second get Wood lowt his service in the second game, when Patterson hammered two overheads into the net and he himself missed two returns from the forehand.

The Americans Quickly gained a 3 love lead, but Patterson pulled his service out, winning the fourth after three deuces. The Americana increased their lead to 4—l upon Johnston’s service. They were more aggressive. advancing to the net and Tilden was now more at ease and they ran out the set with alternate games. In the third set Tilden, standing at 40— love and serving in the fourth, found the Australians running up 30—40, but he pulled out his service and the score stood 2 all The Americans achieved a curious feat in the ninth game When Wood, serving, stood 40—0 and the Americans won the next five points and took the lead, five games against four. Several sharp rallies occurred at the net, wherein Johnston and Tilden outdrove the Australians or found openings between them. It then became a comparatively easy matter for the Americans to run out. The fourth set proved a quick debacle. The American pair, teaming awkwardly, and getting in each other's way, were apparently unable to dovetail their efforts, but nevertheless overwhelmed their experienced double opponents, whose team York was perfect. They won because they individually possessed strokes which won points. .Tohngfton’s forehand drive, functlonlnlg with k report like a gun and a force like a bullet, was unanswerable, while Tilden’s stroking was smooth, accurate, forceful and gainful. Patterson running up to answer a return from his own service seemed unable to lift the ball more than inches. Patterson lost his service In the first game and Wood his in the third and the seventh. They gave the Americans the requisite headway to win with ease. Patterson again found his service endangered in the fifth, but he pulled it out after one deuce and the Americans led, four games against one. They quickly tore through Wood's service in the final game and ran out the set expeditiously 6—l. Received Sept. 13, 5.5 p.m. New York, Sept. 12. Throughout to-day’s match at Philadelphia the American players excelled in clean placements. A tendency to netting which they displayed at the beginning of the match disappeared, and tbejy were also remarkably effective at lobbing.

* THE FINAL SINGLES. BOTH WON BY AMERICA. Received Sept. 14, 5.5 p.m. New York, Sept. 13. Tn the final singles of the Davis Cup Richards defeated Patterson 6—3, 7—5, 6—4, and Tilden defeated Wood 6—2, 6—l, 6—l. The final Davis Cup matches were favoured with summery weather. In the first set Wood broke through Tilden's ser/ice In the first game. Tilden returned the compliment on Wood’s service, and thereafter the American, stripping off his sweater, rolled up points with comparative ease. He raced through the other two sets, playing a deep court game without effort at killing strokes, and kept Wood running across the court. Patterson won his first service in the second game. Richards then took the lead and the coptrol of play until the eighth, when the Australian broke Richards’ service and took his own, his slashing first ball being almost unplayable. Richards then reeled off the set on hla own service. In the second set Patterson crashed through Richards' service in the second game, the American faltering and making two douoble faults. The Australian won the fourth game through two fine service aces and dean placement. Richards took the fourth game and staged an amazing rally, winning six successive games and the set. Patterson made a brave effort in the third set to turn the tide, but Richards, coming to mid-court, kept pounding his backhand. The Australian netted drives he took on the full volley at mid-court and could not save the game. Upon the completion of the challenge round Patterson announced that the Australian team would proceed homeward via Chicago, Winnipeg and other centres, where they will play exhibition matches amongst, themselves, embarking on the Sonoma for Sydney on October 10.