FINAL OF DAVIS CUP.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18329, 29 July 1929, Page 9

FINAL OF DAVIS CUP.

France v. United States. BRILLIANT PLAY IN CHALLENGE ROUND. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received July 28, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, July 27. Playing against U.S.A. (the challenging nation), France (holder) made a super-excellent start in the Davis Cup final in perfect weather. Singles. Jean Borotra (France) beat G. M. Lott (U.S.A.), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. Henri Cochet (France) beat W. T. Tilden (U.S.A.), 6-3, 6-1, 6-2. Borotra’s Great Form. Borotra’s agility was the deciding factor against Lott. The Frenchman took the first set in next to no time, but when Lott shed his initial nervousness, he gave as good as he got. The American had the advantage in the service, and also utilised a cunning slice, which frequently made them certain winners. Borotra, however, was never driven from the net, where he is most effective. Lott displayed extraordinary tenacity in the second set, but the third was the crux. Borotra, beginning badly, lost the service. The vast crowd was exceedingly excited, until play was 4 all. The Frenchman then speeded up, and completely out-manoeuvred Lott, whose back-hand drive failed at critical moments. In the final set, Borotra concentrated on an early break through, and led 2-0, but he was beginning to tire. Lott seized the chance, and aimed his service and returns cunningly at Borotra’s feet, and thus gained the lead by 4-3. But the final assault on the American’s back-hand, and superlative volleying by Borotra won him games in succession, ending with a love game to win the match. Tilden Defeated. In the contest between Cochet and Tilden, the American began with hiif cannonball strokes, and incredible retrieves, but Cochet returned everything with the utmost nonchalance, the Frenchman increasing his pace in the second set, when “Big Bill” seemed outclassed. Whereas Cochet was faultless, Tilden was erratic, and the result was never in doubt. It was all over in fifty minutes, and it is not complimentary to Cochet to say that Tilden was playing badly. He was playing well enough to reveal the champion’s armoury. Unlike at Wimbledon, Tilden was not missing the easy balls, but when he essayed a promising stroke, he found his opponent with effortless ease reduced it to futility. Tilden’s mind appeared an open book to Cochet. The American tried every variation of strategy and stroke, but failed to shake the Frenchman’s confidence and heart-breaking accuracy. Doubles. Wilmer Allison and John Van Ryn (U.S-A.) beat Henri Cochet and Jean Borotra (France), 6-1, 8-6, 6-4.