The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-06

giving to understand that the outlook is
not cheerful for England, he says: Now
that Norman Brookes has actually left
Australia for England and tbs American
team has gone INTO strict training, the inter-
est in the international matches which are to
decide the fate Of the Davis cup this year
IL becoming acute. The coming of Brookes
a second time to thisecountry y certainly
an event Of great interest in the tennis
world. Some Of his many admirers assert
that his failure TO win the championship at
Wimbledon last year, after passing TN
soathed through the all comers' compe-
tition, was the result of the privilege which
the holder enjoys Of keeping out OF the
the occasion of his memorable meeting
with Doherty the Australian was placed at
O. physical disadvantage.
There seems to be no prospect at present
Of any alteration in the conditions govern
ing the championship. Tho 's~tanding-cut'
principle is supported by tradition; but
then not until quite recent years has the
intern ~ational element been intro duoed and
the question of the propriety of this custom
been subjected to 30 much outside public
criticism. Notwithstanding. the gloomy
forebodings that we're heard in some guar
ters last year the matter is not at all likely
to affect the entry for the championship;
and next June we shall probably see as
fire a struggle as could be desired.
"Of the Americans coming, over. Beals
Wright is likely to create the NEST IN
terest by his performances. For scme
reason or other this player, new at the
| zenith of his power, was not called upon
10 play in the singles against England;
and though he was beaten by Gore in the
championship it was generally felt that
his play was the most attractive and the
most powerful in the whole American team
When Wright returned to the States he
gave proof OF this superiority by winning
the American championship at, Newport
| and his selection for first place in the present
| combir alton was a matter of course.
"Holoombe Ward is another certainty
Not only is he Wright's regular p%artnerin the
doubles-the two holding the States team
| ohampionship-but a most brilliant indlVid-
| ual player. The decisive manner In whioh
he won the first two sets against DohertX
In the international match last year will
always be remembered; and il the Amer
leans are wise they will rely. upon Wright
and Ward to represent them in poth singles
and doubles.
Neither the French nor the Austrian
team is likely to survive the first round
/ at Liverpool, and though their members
will probably show an Improvement on last
wears FORM, their inclusion in the comipetl,
lion is more a testimony to national yea
and enterprise than anything else.
But, Of course, the Australasian team
stands in quite a different category. OF
BTookes has sailed and that Wilding, the
Cambridge captain Of last year, Is available
Here again the probabilities all point TO the
Colonials' attack being left exclusively in the
hands Of these two players. Brookes did
not show up 30 well in the international
last year az he did in the British champion
ships: but as he former are to be fought out
first this season different results may be
expected, and Brookes Is certain to put his
whole heart into the Davis cup matches.
"Milding tu hti O rrove q most valuable
second string for the Commonwealth. His
game ha3 improved 30 @ )nspicuously in all
departments this season and his successes
on the continent nave bsen so numerous
and 30 well merited that few will deny his
! claims TO be ranked among the leading
| ulayers OF the world. If Brookes and Wild
, ing are az good in double harness a. they
arc Individually and a few days practice
together would show us whether they are
or nut-Australasia will have a double
team cutie powerful enough to extend
America TO the utmost and if successful &c
Engage England with reasonable hore OF
victory.
AT present the constitution Of the home
team Il somewhat doubtful. The present
CHAMPION, II. J.. Doherty, will, Of course
be available for the singles. and his form
r~ecentlv In the south Of France-excep
In matches which carried no real significance
and which showed him quite below his usta
standard OF eXcellence-encouraged thu
belief that he Is still carable Of accom-