FRENCH TENNIS MEN ARE MENACE TO U.S. HOLDERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17835, 1 May 1926, Page 11

FRENCH TENNIS MEN ARE MENACE TO U.S. HOLDERS.

Once more the draw for the Davis Cup matches has been made. Twentyfour nations have entered, eighteen in the European zone and five in the American. This is less than last year. The notable absentee is Australia, and the new entrant the Philippines. One does not need to be a prophet to pick the winner in the American zone contest, accidents not being taken into consideration. Japan should win. In the European zone France should come through without great difficulty, and should also defeat Japan in the interzone final. Then comes the challenge round against America. There can be no doubt, judging from last year's challenge round, and more recently the matches played in the covered courts championships of America, that the French team is one to be respected even by’ the strongest team that America can call on. The covered courts championships, however. were played under quite different conditions from those for the Davis Cup will be, and therefore do not form a reliable guide. Taking everything into consideration it seems almost certain that the defenders will withstand the challenge round against France, or any other nation that survives eliminating rounds, although the margin in their favour will probably be considerably reduced. From now on France will be a \’ery real danger to the holders, a danger which will probably go on increasing as the years pass.