DAVIS CUB PROSPECTS

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1933, Page 5

DAVIS CUB PROSPECTS

HOPES OF THE CONTENDERS IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICAN TEAM. PROMISING AUSTRALIAN PLAYERS. (Special to the News.) America will make a determined effore to regain the Davis Cup from France this year, and has an excellent chance of success, judging by the all round excellence shown by the team which is touring Australia at present and will shortly be seen in New Zealand. Australia, too, has 'tennis talent, especially among her juniors, which may well form the nucleus of a Davis ' Cup team of the future. Wilmer Allison, the captain and manager, has represented America in Davis Cup tonnis since 1928 and together with his team mat, John Van Ryn, has three Wimbledon doubles championships to his credit As a doubles, team. they rank second to none, while Allison is No. 3 in the world ranking as a singles player. Elsworth Vines, junior, the present Wimbledon champion, is the star of the team and gives promise of becoming a second Tilden. His rise to tennis fame has been meteoric, and upon him American hopes of success will largely depend. Although overshadowed by his world-famous team mates, Keith Gledhill has an excellent repertoire of shots, and, together with Vines, holds flto American doubles championship. The respective ages of this brilliant team are Allison 27, Van Ryn 26, Vines 21 and Gledhill 2L AUSTRALIAN HOPES. The visit of this team has had a very, stimulating effect on Australian tennis, and will doubtless act as an inspiration, which may quite possibly restore Australia to her former high place in ths tennis world. It has shown that in Jack Crawford and Harry Hopman Australia has players very dose to Davis Cup standard. Australia’s hopes for the future will largely rest upon her most promising juniors, Vivian McGrath and Sydney and Adrian Quist, of Adelaide, both of whom show amazing control and consistency when matched against world champions. Other promising juniors who may well make their mark in international tennis are Don Turnbull, of South Australia, and Dave Thompson, of New South Wales. AMERICAN SUPERIORITY. Those privileged (as was the writer of these notes) to see the second test played on the Kooypng courts, Melbourne, on December 26, 27 and 28, saw tennis of a very high standard, when America definitely asserted by eight rubbers to four. The first day’s play was notable for Hopman’s defeat of Vines by'sheer tenacity in refusing to be beaten. With two rubbers each and with America leading by only four games, it seemed likely that Australia would make ai. strong bid for supremacy. On the second day Vines decisively defeated Crawford* thus avenging his previous defeat in the Victorian championships, while Van Ryu proved too wily and experienced fos McGrath. Hopman and Crawford, playing brilliant tennis, defeated Allison and Van Ryn in a strenuously contested five* set match, but failed to make an mw pressive showing against Vines and Gled« hill on the following day. On the fined day McGrath Showed excellent form and heady play to defeat Gledhill in straight sets. VINES IMPRESSIVE. Vines, who is an inspiring player ft watch, relies in general upon an aggressive baseline game, subjecting his opponent to a gruelling raking all over the court His stinging shots on both the fore and backhand are remarkable for the ease with which they are produced and the pace they carry. Shot* which hit the net cord rarely fail to go over. His powerful kicking service frequently goes for an ace, and at all times commands respect Although usually unwilling to take to the net, Vines volleys convincingly, and is difficult to pass, while his smash is devastating from all parts of the court . . Although overshadowed in singles by the brilliance of Vines, Allison and Van Ryn play with remarkable skill and control. Their doubles play shows perfect understanding, together with clever volleying and overhead work. Both excel in service and are merciless on anything in the shape of badly tossed lobs. Their power of anticipation is uncanny, while the retrieving of apparently impossibly shots often leaves their opponents standing. AUSTRALIAN PLAYERS.

Hopman is easily the most consistent of the Australian players with his excellent stroking and sound court craft. Although not capable of rising to the heights of brilliance shown by Crawford, his courage and steadiness is a tower of strength particularly in doubles. Crawford plays brilliant shots, but is prone to overhit and lapses into the simplest of errors. He possesses a reliable service and ground shots, he volleys brilliantly, but his overhead work is often patchy, Vivian McGrath, the 17-year-old Sydney boy, plays a very steady game, his passing shots being worthy of a champion. He keeps an excellent length, which he varies cleverly to entice an unwary opponent out of position. His remarkable backhand, produced in a very unorthodox way, frequently dips the side lines in an unerring fashion, winning many points. He has an excellent; repertoire of shots, with a strong service, but needs to< devote a good deal of attention to his forehand, which often breaks down when subjected to a gruelling attack. FUTURE PROSPECTS. The American visit clearly shows that Australia has two promising juniors in McGrath and Quist, who, if given the right training on international courts, might easily bring back the Davis Cup to Australia within the next three years. They should be sent abroad ..with Crawford and Hopman, who, although they are 25 and 26 respectively, are still in their prime, and would derive considerable benefit and experience. With the example of both France and America before her, Australia must build up a strong team, and tins can be done only by sending abroad the most promising juniors to take part in Wimbledon and American championships. In McGrath Australia has a probable successor to

Norman Brookes. In conclusion two salient facts stand out. America is leaving no stone unturned to regain her lost tennis supremacy, and Australia has. very promising material for the nucleus of a Davis Cup team for the future. By his brilliance Vines stands out pre-eminently in the tennis world, with Allison very close to him. Van Ryn will probably keep his place as partner to Allison, while Gledhill has made his mark as partner to, Vines and has the makings of another singles champion. The policy of sending abroad such a strong team is indeed a wise one .and will undoubtedly enhance America’s chances in the coming contest. It behoves Australia and any other country, with Davis Cup ambitions to do likewise, • * "