THE DAVIS CUP QUARTET.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 4, 24 January 1912, Page 10

THE DAVIS CUP QUARTET.

A BRILLIANT DISPLAY. EXHIBITION GAME IN AUCKLAND. Owing to the postponement of the exhibition match between the Davis Cup players at the Eden and Epsom courts, and the unsuitable time at which it was played last week. the attendance was not nearly as large as it would have been had the original arrangements been carried out. However, several hundred enthusiasts turned up at the Eden lawns, and waited patiently until the players appeared, some time after the hour advertised for the commencement of the game. The court was in splendid order, though the ground was a little heavy. Unfortunately, half-way through the morning heavy’ rain came on. ami play had to be stopped for the time. Reals Wright seemed to feel the unfavourable comlitions more than the other men. though all were affected bv the rain and the slippery ground. It was impossible for the men to show their best form under such circumstances, I>ut they gave the Spectators some ides of wluit first class 'tennis means, and provided an exhibition such as Auckland tennis players have never seen before, end are, unfortunate!", not hkcb to witness again for • long time to coma.

The match was rather one-sided, though not so much so as the scores would Brookes) and Dunpop beat the American pair, 6—3 6—2, 6—4; but though they won the three sets straight, there were many long rallies, and in several of the games deuce was called a great number of times before the deciding stroke was scored. The outstanding features of the play were the remarkable services of McLoughlin and Brookes, the volleying of Dunlop, and Wright’s effective cut strokes off the ground. But as a matter of fact, all four men showed themselves capable of doing almost anything required on a tennis court, and they performed a number of additional feats, especially in the way of short placing, and half-volleying, that the average player would never dream of attempting. McLoughlin has probably the freest end most vigorous style of all, and some of his recoveries from deep lobs, his overhead smashes, and an occasional lightning drive were eye-openers to the spectators. Dunlop showed admirable judgment in low volleying, several times beating his opponents altogether, not by pace, but by skill in timing and placing. Wrightcould not keep his feet well on the slippery ground, but he showed fine, allround form. Brooks seemed less troubled by the wet than the others, and while there seems to be nothing in the whole range of the game that ho cannot- do well, he showed even in this short match something of the remarkable powers of anticipation and generalship that have gained him a world wide reputation.

The Australians won the toss, and Brookes, as usual, won his service, though it was a deuce game. Brookes was chiefly instrumental in winning the second game on McLoughlin’s servo. Though Dunlop’s service looks extremely mild, the combined volleying of the Australians was too much for their opponents. and the score was called 3—o, Australia leads. This woke the Americans up, and some brilliant close volleying in the next game resulted in their favour. The Americans followed this up by beating Brookes in his service game; but in the next game a rash stroke at the net by McLoughlin gave Australia a substantial lead. Wright then made a big effort, but the heavy ground was against him, and Dunlop won his own service once more— 5 —2, Australia leads. Wright then won his own service, beating each of his opponents with hard, overhand, shots, and there were prospects of a close fight. It was now Brookes’ turn to serve, and he was leading at 40—30 when the rain came on. Eventually Australia wou this game and the set,

The play in the second set was even better than before, especially on ths part of Brookes. A brilliant cross shot by McLoughlin saved the game at. one point, but Brookes theu played admirably, and won the game. He was chiefly instrumental in scoring the second by short and well-placed volleys. Score, 2—o; Australia leads. Wright's service in the next game beat his opponents for pace, and he won a love game. The Americans fought hard for the next game, and if McLoughlin had not rashly volleyed a ball that was going out, they might have won it. As it was, Brookes rose to the occasion again, and after - some steady and accurate play, forced tire ball to a part of the court where there was no one to return it. Score, 3 —l, in Australia’s favour. The Americans struggled manfully on, and though Wright lost his footing and his racquet in an attempt to reach a beautiful volley from Dunlop, the Americans eventually won the game. Brookes and Dunlop led 3 —2. But the Americans bad now reached the end of their tether, as Brookes and Dunlop, playing beautifully together, anti volleying with great accuracy, got too love games in succession, and finished the set at 6—2. In the third set the Americans evidently had decided to make a big effort. McLoughlin' changed his serve, sending in faster balls, that broke sharp into Brookes, and beat both the ehampion and Dunlop several times. Five deuces were called in this game, which the Americans finally won. Brookes then won his serve, equalising the score after some exciting rallies, and the Australians won the next two games in a smart shower of rain. Wright again increased the pace of his services, and beat both opponents in succession. The score now stood 3—2, Australia leads; but it was now Brookes* service, and this, combined with Dunlop’s clever net play, gave Australia the game. McLoughlin now oanM

to the front with soma magnificent serves, with which Brookes could do nothing, and the Americans wou. The next game was extremely brilliant and exciting. Three times Brookes, with wonderful skill, manoeuvred his opponents out- of position, and finished the rally with a short stroke that marked the perfection of tennis skill. However, the Americans clung to the game, and McLoughlin’s hard smashing was chiefly instrumental in bringing them level on the eighth game—4 all. The spectators were delighted with the plucky recovery, and hoped that the Americans would win at least one set; but it was not to be. Brookes reasserted himself in no doubtful fashion in the last two games, which both went to Australia; ami Brookes and Dunlop thus won the match by three sets to love.

Though the Americans did not win a set they were by no means outclassed, and quite apart from their great, reputation they showed that they are capable of far better things. Apart from the perfect style and judgment of Brookes and the brilliancy of McLoughlin, perhaps the most instructive feature of the play was the low volleying in which Dunlop excelled. Tennis players looking on noted that all four men volleyed from near the service line, and that they seldom came very close to the net.

After the game, Air. Holmes, president of the 'Auckland L.T.A., presented each member of. the two teams with a piece of tangiwai (the most beautiful sort of greenstone), as a memento of their visit to New Zealand, and more especially to Auckland. Three cheers for the visitors terminated a display that will live long in the memory of ail the Aucklanders who were fortunate enough to witness it.

AMERICAN C APTAIN INTERVIEWED.

Mr. W. A. Larned, one of the American Davis Cup team, who returned by the outgoing Vancouver steamer last week, was spoken to by n ‘'Star” reporter about the message cabled from New York with reference t> future contests for the Davis Cup. It will be remembered that the cable said that Mr. Harry Waider, secretary of the Western Lawn Tennis Association, had announced that the United States players would cease to be contestants for tile international trophy unless the Australasians agreed to play for it ou American soil. Mr. Waider further expressed his belief that this was the feeling of tennis players throughout the country. Mr. Larned was very definite in his statement of the views held ou the matter by the members of the last American team in the Davis Cup contest. “I don't believe Mr. Waider ever made such an announcement,” he said. "If he said anything about the matter at all he did not mean it in the way the cable has suggested. Anyway the conditions of the Davis Cup matches are definitely fixed, and they cannot lie altered even if Mr. Waider or anybody else wished it.”

Mr. Larned further suggested that it was significant that the alleged announcement had never been confirmed. ”We don’t know anything about it," he remarked, “but we don’t believe that such a statement, was ever made.