LAWN TENNIS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14133, 12 February 1910, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS.

THE DAVIS CUP. ■ '

The regulations governing tho annual international contests for tho Davis Cup, and title of champion nation, provide that “Any nation wishing to coiDt pete shall give notice to tho secretary of the association, or corresponding organisation, of the champion nation, so that it shall reach him not later than the first Monday .in March of the year in which the competition is to take place.” The sporting journals in New York have been stirring up tho authorities to make a serious effort to get tho enp back to America, where it belongs, and pointing out that two .successive defeats by tho youngest nation qualified to compete, with the smallest population, reflects little "credit on tho organisation' that controls the sport in America. It is to be the best team or no challenge this year. The fixing of the battleground for the 1910 challenge match in "New Zealand provides a more easily readied site for players embarking from Now York, whore the best American talent is located. Strong pressure is to bo brought to bear to.

seotiro tho services of tho present champion, TV. A. Lnvned, and the ex-cham-pion, TV. J. ClL'liicr. "Beals "Wright, who boat both Brookes and Wilding in the 1908 match in Melbourne, will join in a representative team. Neither Alexander nor Hackott (tho present holders of the Doubles Championship of America) can be persuaded to make the trip “down under,” Alexander has announced in the press that'Earned and YVright would be certain to win three of the four singles matches, which would be all sufficient to wrest the cup from

Australasia. & lu addition to America and the Bri-

tish Isles, there is every prospect of challenges being received this year from Germany and South Africa. For several years Germany has been building up tennis players,- as well as Dreadnoughts, and has now two players, in Otto Froitzhciin and F. W. Italic, quite equal to holding their own with the world’s best. At the big -Eastbourne meeting in England last August Froitzhoim won the Upon Singles, italic being the only opponent to seriously dispute bis claims in the concluding rounds. It may bo truly said of Froitzheim, who is 25 years of age, that his game was "made in Germany.” Rfjho, who is four years younger, learned the science of the game at the Queen's Club, London.—Melbourne Leader. NOTES.

(By “Volloy.”)

This year the New Zealand championships should bo played in Dunedin, but it js said that tho meeting is wanted by "a rival province not hitherto known in connection with these events, says the Dunedin Star.

Tho interprovincial match between Wellington and Canterbury, which.this year was won by Canterbury by eight matches to four, is tho lirst contest that has resulted in favour of the' southern players for some years. The Auckland Association's, senior intor-cluh competition has been, won by Eden and Epsom. West End has held the honour for the past two seasons. The New Plymouth Chib has two intorclub matches in view—one with Inglewood on Thnrsdaj' week, at Inglewood, and tho other with Wavorley, at Waverlcy, early in March. In ladder matches on the Vivian Street courts during the week, Robertson boat Webster and Fookes beat Weston. The New Plymouth Club’s handicap singles have reached the semi-finals. In tho semi-finals of the ladies’ singles Miss Brewster (owe 5) heat Miss D. Simpson (owe 10), 40—35, 'and Miss M. Thomson heat Miss Thomson. The final between Miss Brewster and Miss Thomson was to have been played- this afternoon. The men’s singles semifinals resulted: Nicholson (owe 20) beat Morton (scr), 60—5-5, and E. W. Griffiths (scr.) beat E. Griffiths (scr.). Nicholson and E. W T . Griffiths will meet in the final next week. Entries far tho club’s championships' close with the secretary (Mr. 11. Stocker) this evening. The chief characteristics of the best players at Homo, states T. It. Quill, who has just returned to New Zealand after an extensive tour in England with H. A. Parker, is their accuracy. In no case are there any fireworks or gallery shots. In his opinion he saw no player up to . the standard of Brookes or Wilding, and either of thorn would have won the All England Championship. Ho considers Froitzheim (tho German) tho best player ho saw, althonght Rahe, his countryman, is the most promising. An application from the 1 Kaponga Club for affiliation to the Taranaki Association was accepted at a mooting of the executive last evening. There arc now fifteen chibs under the jurisdiction of this association.

On February 26 teams representing Auckland and Taranaki will meet at Auckland and play tho fifth annual contest between these two provinces. Of the four, previous matches played throe have been won by Taranaki whilst the other was annexed by. Auckland. Taranaki’s representation this year promises to be as strong as that of Oast year, when the Taranaki team won twenty-one games' against its opponent’s three.

Taranaki’s full team is not yet available ns the six men have not been selected, .but in the ladies” department the defence of, this province has been placed in tho hands of Mrs.’ Payno and Misses Powdrcll, Dickie,. E. Dickie, Simpson, and Brewster. This list does not represent the order in which they will play. . As far as is known at present Auckland will be represented by S. Upton, Dr. Keith, Dr. Smith.'" J. R. Grigson, C. Heather, A. F. Billing, and Miss A. Gray, Mrs. Cooper, and Misses G. Gorrio, Harvey, Cooke, and P. Gorrie. The match will be played on the Eden and Epsom courts, the scone of the rocont New Zealand championship meeting.