FRANCE LEADS IN DAVIS CUP.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18630, 28 July 1930, Page 9

FRANCE LEADS IN DAVIS CUP.

Contest In Challenge Round. BRILLIANT PLAY ON BOTH SIDES. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrl ght PARIS, July 25. The challenge round for the Davis Cup, the famous international tennis trophy, commenced to-day between the United States (challengers) and France (holders). The opening singles resulted in one win each, Tilden defeating Borotra, and Cochet accounting for Lott in straight sets. Results:— SINGLES. William T. Tilden (United States) beat Jean Borotra (France), 2-6, 7-5, 6-4, 7-5.-Henri Cochet (France) beat George M. Lott (United States), 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. There were crowded stands at Auteuil Stadium for an excellent afternoon’s tennis. Borotra began cautiously, but Tilden found a length in the second set 1 and drew up from 1-4 to 4 all. After that the Frenchman never looked like a winner, although he pulled up from 2-5 to 5-6 in the last set, and finished almost at the point of collapse. Cochet soon assumed the mastery in his match against Lott, and the issue never seemed in doubt. Cochet made many excellent placings down the side-lines, varied by judicious approaches to the net. His crafty crosscourt work kept Lott on the run till the end. SECOND DAY’S PLAY. FRENCH SUCCESS IN DOUBLES. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 27, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, July 26. In the Davis Cup doubles, Henri Cochet and Jules Brugnon (France) beat Wilmer Allison and John Van Ryn (U.S.A.), 6-3, 7-5, 1-6, 6-2. The deciding singles will be played to-morrow. Both must be won by America in order to wrest the Cup from France. The Davis Cup stood on a pedestal in front of the presidential tribune. When the French and American players filed on to the courts, President Doumergue shook hands with the players. Cochet and Brugnon took the first three games, Cochet playing like a machine, while Allison’s form was almost as bad as against Italy. He appeared nervous. After this, Cochet’s lapses enabled the Americans to pull up 3-3, but Cochet became himself again, and his uncannily placed drives caused the Frenchmen to draw ahead to 5-3. They ran away on the last game on Cochet’s service. Van Ryn and Brugnon both played fine steady supporting games. Allison improved in the second set, but the American realised that Cochet was unbeatable, and concentrated against Brugnon. They led 4-3, and again 5-4, but Cochet’s brilliant serving and net play gave France the set. Allison found his form in the third set, and the Americans, playing a faultless game, led 4-1. Cochet lost his service, and the Americans, on Van Ryn’s service, amid intense excitement, won an easy set, the score being 6-1. The fourth set opened with a net duel, in which the French excelled. With all four players at the net, spectacular volleying and rallies were seen, but Cochet and Brugnon were proving far superior at close range, and led 5-0. The Americans rallied, and took the next two games. The Frenchmen then drew away on their service, and ran out comparatively easy winners.