LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 978, 3 December 1908, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

THE DAVIS CUP. With an American team in quest of the Davis Cup, much interest was taken in Melbourne, and a great crowd assembled to witness the opening matches'. In the first event Brookes met Alexander. The Victorian soon established a strong lead, taking the first four games of the first set. Alexander, by splendid placing, masterly returns, and irresistible smashing, put up seven games while Brookes secured only one. The second set was the keenest ever witnessed in Melbourne. The players took game for game till they were seven all. Brookes then took the next two games' and the set. During the next set Alexander failed, while Brookes, if anything, improved, Alexander placing service after service into the net.

In the fourth set Alexander put up another great fight, playing his best game. The fifth and deciding set fell to Brookes, the scores being: 5 —7, 9 —7, 6—2, 4—6, 6—3. Wright (America) beat Wilding (N.Z.), 3 —5, 7 —5, 6—3, 6 —l. The New Zealander led off brilliantly, but completely went to pieces at the close, and was beaten badly. In the Doubles', Australasia won the first two sets, then America annexed the succeeding two, the fifth being won by Australasia. Wilding’s driving was magnificent. Brookes played with excellent judgment, smashing with great success down the centre of the court. In the fifth- set America led two love. The excitement was' intense. Gradually Wilding and Brookes added five games to the addition of one by America, making the score 5 —3. Then Wright won his service. In the tenth game Wilding, serving for Australasia, led 40 —15, but then double faulted, and the Americans brought the game to “ deuce.” They, however, failed to get to the next two

points, and the match went to Australasia.

The sets resulted as follows: 6—4, 6—2, 5—7, 2—6, 6—4. The Davis Cup competition was concluded on Monday amid a scene of excitement rarely seen on a tennis court. Beales Wright (America) defeated Brookes (Victoria) by three sets to two, so that the New Zealander Wilding was left to win or lose the tournament for Australasia. Wilding rose to the occasion however, although it was expected he would lose, and playing in magnificent form took three sets straight against Alexander, the scores being 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. There was a scene of enthusiasm at the finish, Wilding coming in for a great reception.