“STUNNED BY DAVIS CUP DISASTER.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18469, 22 May 1928, Page 8

“STUNNED BY DAVIS CUP DISASTER.”

ITALY’S WIN CAME AS SHOCK TO AUSTRALIA. Australian, papers to hand to-day contain full accounts of the final day’s play in the Davis Cup contest at Genoa. There is also much interesting comment on Italy's triumph. For instance, a writer in the Sydney “Referee” says: “Many people in Victoria axe somewhat stunned as a result of the Davis Cup disaster against Italy. Australia sent away the strongest possible team—at least., so nearly everyone thought when it went away. Many axe now doubting the fact. But few can point out the reason we failed.” In a cable message from Genoa, J. B. Hawkes said: Stefani defeated Hopman in the second Davis Cup singles to-day, adding the last crushing bloW to Italy’s victory over Australia. The scores were 7-5, 9-7, 10-8. De Morpurgo’s defeat of Patterson, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, was the most thrilling thing I have seen for years. It was a battle of tactics from start to finish. The defeat did not discredit the Australian, who played one of his greatest games. De Morpurgo will defeat many brilliant players. Before the season ends he will visit Wimbledon and AmeWarm sunshine again favoured the play. Tried to Worry Morpurgo. De Morpurgo served and lost. Patterson immediately resorted to chop- ; ping on both his forehand and backhand, trying to worry De Morpurgo. He led 2-0; then won De Morpurgo’s service to love, employing every stroke, much to the discomfiture of the Italian, who plainly was baffled. Patterson’s service and high breaks on De Morpurgo’s backhand and forced him to make errors. Patterson was 4-0 w r hen De Morpurgo won his service, Patterson netting his cut shots. Patterson captured the set with faultless play in eleven minutes. De Morpurgo plainly was rattled by the strange game. The next set saw a change. De Morpurgo began to lose his nervousness and forced Patterson away from the net with well-placed ground shots, winning the set. Patterson lost his length in the third and was weak on his returns, so saved himself for the next set. The games continued to attend the service, each player finding it most difficult to break through. The tennis was much improved, and there were many brilliant rallies. De Morpurgo finally captured Patterson’s ; service, assisted by two double-faults and several bad decisions against the Australian. The crowd was wildly excited by the Italian’s good position. The match was still a battle of tactics, with De Morpurgo gradually triumphing over Patterson’s chops. Patterson at Best. In the fourth set Patterson was fighting desperately. He won the first game after deuces, and was now playing the finest tennis of the dav, marvellously changing tactics and chopping on to Morpurgo’s backhand, ana aavancing to the net to finish the rallies with spectacular volley*. De Morpurgo took Patterson's service, but the Australian won the set comfortably. He has never been seen to better advantage. His determination, tactics and service were wonderful assets. Excitement Rises. The last set was played amid tremendous excitement. De Morpurgo won the first game after desperate rallies, both players exhibiting marvellous fighting ability. Patterson lost his service mainly owing to a bad decision when he was faulted for a beautiful ace. De Morpurgo then had a 3-0 lead. Every game was fought out, brilliancy being sacrificed tor steadiness. Patterson served a love game, but it was a last effort, and De Morpurgo, playing splendidly, took the next three. Patterson played one of the finest games of his long career, but Morpurgo is a great player and has perfect ground strokes. A forehand passing drive is his chief scoring factor, although his highkicking service worried Patterson, causing him to make short returns. Both captains were poorly supported, and the tie was really a battle between them, though Crawford’s illness was bad luck. The crowd excitedly rushed the court after the match, cheering the Italian victory. Hopman Erratic. There was the keenest interest in Hopman’s struggle with Stefani. The Australian was most erratic. Sometimes he was most brilliant, especially in his volleys, but made too many mistakes in his easy shots. He chopped and attacked at the net all through the match, but was frequently caught at his feet by Stefani's excellently controlled passing drives. The latter did not resort to a toss, which was 9bviously the game when the Australian went to the net. Stefani made an excellent recovery in the third, when the Australian was 5-3. He thoroughly deserved to win. Going to Wimbledon. In previous years the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia has stipulated, when sending a team overseas, that should the players be beaten in a Davis Cup tie they should return by the first available boat (says the Melbourne Herald”). As it was realised when the present team was sent away that the most important thing for Australian tennis was to give the promising Australian juniors experience they could only get by international match play, the usual stipulation was substituted by the following:—“The tour is to last until the team is defeated in a Davis Cup tie, or until after the Wimbledon championships, whichever occurs last.” This means that the trip is not to be lvasted. Over six weeks are left for the Australian players to gain the. much-needed overseas experience, the lack of which undoubtedly played a big part in Australia’s defeat by Italy. The Wimbledon tournament will not begin until June 25. Play in France. The French championships will begin towards the end of May. The Australians are entered for this and should gain much valuable experience, as many of the world’s leading players will be taking part. The team will be freed to play the test match against England which was arranged some time ago, and which was dependent on the Davis Cup arrangements of the Australians. The All England Lawn Tennis Club has guaranteed the L.T.A.A. a considerable sum for the appearance of the Australians in this match and at Wimbledon. This should help to balance the loss of the big Davis Cup gates. , It is even possible that the Australians will go to America. The American authorities are very anxious for a visit.