LAWN TENNIS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12936, 29 November 1909, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS.

THE DAVIS CUP. GOOD START BY AUSTRALASIA. L'resa Association.— Telegraph.— Copyrifa ht. SYDNEY, November 28. The start of the Davis Cup contests resulted in easy victories ior Australasia. The weather was hue and cool and about 5000 spectators were present. Brookes and McLaughlin opened, the American winning the toss, and serving with the wind, which at times was puft'y. After the Jain, the courts dried well, although they w^re a trifle heavy. The American carried the score to 40 — 15, when a double fault let Brookes in with the advantage, to the server. A fine rally ended with the game to McLaughlin. The American, continued to make nothing of Brookes' service and he repeated the performance till the score stood at 3—l.3 — 1. McLaughlin was outclassed at almost every point. The American then got his second game in, b'u^t Brookes afterwards had all his own way, finishing with two love games, winning the ;>et 6—2.6 — 2. The next set was almost similar to the first. The "Victorian had the visitor completely tied up with his embarassing service, and fine generalship. The result was again 6—2.6 — 2. McLaughlin made a harder fight at the commencement ot the third set, getting the first two games to his credit. There was brilliant play on both sides, the Victorian playing his shots with rare judgment. He annexed the four succeeding ganus, but McLaughlin put on his third game "and Brookes won his bervice, making 5—3.5 — 3. McLaughlin's next service ended in his favour, but the Victorian somewhat easily disposed of him in the next one, ending 6—4.6 — 4. The visitor played a plucky match, with flashes of brilliance, but the experienced judgment of the older player was too much for his youthful opponent. The second match Wilding v. Long, promised a tougher contest. Wilding won the toss and served with the wind, and 1 he first four games were evenely balanced, each player winning off his .service. The Now Zcalandcr, after winning; his thud serve, went clean away and appropriated the remaining games. His play was characterised by excellent drives. 6—2.6 — 2. -"' The second set was a hard one and its hatfdness told on the American. He appeared to press Wilding, but the New Zealander always had a bit in band. Wilding won his first ocrvice, but Long did the same and beat the New Zealander off his second serve. He was playing very cleverly and kept Wilding moving. The > '-ore stood at 2—l2 — 1 in favour of Long. Then Wilding levelled matters in the ne.\t game off the American's service, and followed up by winning hio own. Both players made the pace warm for each other and the .score- was called five all, but Long was palpably weary and the New Zealander secured a lead with a warm service, hard diiving tempting his opponent to the net, then tossing on to the i back-line. With the score at 6—5,6 — 5, Wild1 ing won brilliantly off a long oerve. 7—5.7 — 5. 1 The third set paw the American fail badly. Wilding got the fir^t three games to love, and the American won the next off his own service and then the New ZeaTander got the next three* in quick succession. 6—l.6 — 1. The doubles will be played on Monday. Received November 29, 0 _'o a 111. SYDNEY, November 20. The weather is dull, but theie aio mdi cations of it clearing.