DAVIS CUP MATCH WAS COMIC-OPERA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18468, 21 May 1928, Page 1

DAVIS CUP MATCH WAS COMIC-OPERA.

WRONG DECISIONS: CROWD OUT OF HAND: UMPIRE LEFT CHAIR. How Italy defeated Australia in the Davis Cup doubles was graphically described in special cable messages sent to the Melbourne “Herald” by J. B. Hawkes. At one stage, numerous bad decisions caused uproar, the crowd grew cut of hand, and the umpire had to be changed. After five strenuous sets Italy won the vital doubles match from Australia, 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 1-6, 6-2.

The match was played under sunny conditions. The court was perfect. De Morpurgo served and lost the opening game to love, the Australians beginning brilliantly. Hopman through a faulty decision then lost his service. Caslini and Hopman were volleying erratically. Patterson won his service, gaining the lead for Australia—3-1. The tennis was patchy. De Morpurgo won a service game to love, Patterson twice hitting wildly from the court. Hopman again lost service. He was continually caught with the ball at his feet' by De Morpurgo’s brilliant returns, though Patterson thrice daringly intercepted them. Caslini won his service to love, De ( Morpurgo intercepting the returns. Captain’s Brilliance.

Many bad decisions occurred against both sides, causing pandemonium among the crowd and somewhat upsetting the Australians. Patterson lost a love service and Italy won the set, mainly due to the captain’s brilliance. Caslini improved at the end of the set. Though a decision in the second game cost the Australians the lead, Hopman was now making many mistakes. De Morpurgo was un-

mercifully slashing his service. Patterson's form was erratic. especially on the forehand. Hopman won his opening service in the second set*, delivering slower and getting closer to the net in an attempt to frustrate De Morpurgc/s drive. The Italians played well together

and broke Patterson's service. They were now leading 3-1. De Morpurgo especially was unbeatable and his brilliance inspired Caslini to greater heights. De Morpurgo lost his service to the Australians and evened the scores at 3-3. It was, however, -plainly evident that the latter must slow their game to win since the -Italians were suited by a hard-hitting game.

Patterson again lost, and Hopman made several costly mistakes at the net, giving De Morputgo a useful twoset lead. He was playing superb tennis, while Caslini was at his best. Both players returned the service wonderfully, frequently trapping the Australians at their feet.

Umpire Changed. The umpire and linesmen continued to make bad mistakes, and at one stages resembled a comic opera, with everybody gesticulating. The crowd, thrilled at the prospects of an Italian victory, got out of the control of the umpire. The captains called a halt and demanded a new umpire. Servetnts, the first day’s umpire, then took charge, satisfying the players and the spectators.

Italy was now in a strong position. Changing ends for his service, Hopman won the first game of the third set. and broke through Caslini. The Australians, slowing up the game and tossing repeatedly, gradually broke up the opposition. Caslini especially missing many easy volleys. The Australians won the set, losing one game. Patterson here was playing great tennis, while Hopman was* improving rapidly. The tennis, devoid of rallies, was not impressive, though the result of the match made it exciting.

The fourth set was exactly similar, De Morpurgo twice losing his service. The Australians’ tactics had vastly improved, and they were combining beautifully. Caslini was rattled, though De Morpurgo was battling hard. The Last Set.

Patterson was still playing well, and Hopman was at his top, returning the service excellently. There were many exciting rallies at the net, the Australians out-volleying their opponents. Patterson was serving finely, though slowly, and the game was benefiting the Australians. The crowd cheered wildly when Hopman lost a love service at the opening of tfee fifth set, De Morpurgo also lost a love service through netting his volleys. Patterson, in the next, would have broken through, but experienced wretched luck, the Italians scoring two puccesive points off their racquet handles. Caslini suddenly improved, and won his service, and Hopman again lost a love service. He was double-faulting and volleying feebly. De Morpurgo, playing brilliantly, gained a winning lead—s-1. Patterson made his- last effort for Australia, and won his service, scoring three clean aces. Then, amidst tremendous excitement, Caslini won his and the match. De Morpurgo deserves full credit for his great game. lie was easily the best of the four. Caslini was patchy, but came at a pinch in the last set. The Italian pair received a flattering reception from the wildly excited crowd. Patterson played a good doubles game, though he was erratic in the opening two sets. Hopman’s service in the first and fifth sets was weak, but otherwise the colt played a fair game, although the strain told in the vital last set, and he broke into numerous errors. (Italy won the remaining singles, and so eliminated Australia.)