DAVIS CUP CONTEST.

Waikato Times, Volume 93, Issue 15311, 11 August 1923, Page 5

DAVIS CUP CONTEST.

v A WIN FOR AUSTRALIA. ANDERSON DEFEATS FUKUFA. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. NEW YORK, August 8. Clouds shut off the- sun and a cool breeze refreshed both players in the fourth set. Hawkes relapsed into inaccuracy, but the Japanese became amazingly steady. The Australian gave the impression that he was not trying very hard, and was decisively beaten, 6—l.

In the fifth set Hawkes stepped info play with vigour and many fine volleys were witnessed! both men playing their strokes adeptly. In the fifth game Hawkes tired, and apparently did not try to reach difficult returns. Shimidzu, who played with extreme shrewdness, worked for placement shots, and. piled difficult returns on Hawkes, testing the Australian’s ground-stroking powers to the limit, it seems clear that steadiness played the greatest part in the Japanese victory. In the match between Anderson and Fukuda, the former scored rapidly in the first set. Fukuda’s speedy play was what the Australian wanted, and lie drove through his opponent with remarkable ease, being an old hand at hard play.

In the second set Anderson’s accuracy fell off, and too many shots went out or hit the net. Both showed great pace, Anderson occasionally coming forward, but Fukuda because of his short reach did not dare to do so. The Easterner steadied down, and while keeping up his speed, played more accurately than the Australian.