Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-19
COMING FIGHT FOR
THE DAVIS TROPHY
Opinion Seems to Be That Eng
land Will Lose the Interna-
tionaI Tennis Cup.

LONDON, May ls.-Although the interna-
tional lawn tennis contests do not take
place this year till after the championship
meeting at Wimbledon. speculation Is very
rife already as to the ultimate destination
of the Davis cup. The avowed retirement OF
the Doherty brothers has awakened the pos
sibility, and even the probability, of
change Of holders, and the general con-
sensus of opinion seems to favor the idea
that England Is going to lose the trophy
this year.
It seems unlikely that France or any OF
the continental lawn tennis champions will
compete. Max Decugis has recently shown
brilliant form; twice within the last few
weeks he has encountered Wilding. and of
the six completed sets between them he has
actually won three from the New Zea-
lander. 1t has not been forgotten. either.
how a couple of seasons ago he astonished
everybody at Queens Club by winning the
European championship from representa-
tive entry. including the then champion.
II. L. Doherty.
The unrestrained brilliance of the young
Frenchman would be heartily welcomed at
Wimbledon. Admittedly, the French play
ers are not 80 good on grass as they are
on wood still Decugis, assisted by M. Ger
mot steadier and. At his best. quite as
capable a player. the "trfcolors' would be
worthily represented In the nationals Their
presence would have added greatly to the
general interest In the contests, even II 1t
did not effect the results.
The probability is. however. that America
and Australasia will, as last year, dispute
the right to challenge England. The COM
position of both teams is already known.
and as 1t may safely be assumed that all
the players will be at their best, specula-
ton as to the result is even at this stage
possible.
The American team comprises Beais
Wright. Raymond D. Little and Karl Behr.
while the Australasian nomination includes
Norman Brooks, A. F. Wildins. G.. q.
Sharp and L. O. 8. Peidevin. Australasia
WILL OF course. rely upon Brooks ana
Wilding IN both singles and doubles. one
or other Of the remaining nominees only
playing in case Of emergency.
tralian pair. Already their victory Is wide
ly predicted in lawn tennis circles. but
some experts are not nearly so sansuine.
In the first place. we do not know for cer-
tain how the Americans will elect to be
represented in the singles. Only two OF
the three nominees can compete.
Much will depend on the form Of Beals
Wright. Last year. though a member Of
the American team he was unable to play.
It Will be recalled that as result Of an
unfortunate accident just before leaving
America he had the index finger Of his
right hand amputated on his arrival In
pie fancy that he will not again reach tho
high standard to which he attained q
couple OF seasons back.
They take Beals Wright's recent form on
the Riviera, where he was beaten two love
sets by Richie. as corroboratfve OF this
view. But we must not be deceived into
taking his form there any more seriously
than he himself apparently took his
matches. There is no good reason, how
ever. why, IL he cares to. he should not
return to the magnificent form he dis
played in England in 1905, and which later
won him the American championship. He
Is a left-handed player. 30 that the loss of
a finger on his right hand cannot interfere
in the least with his actual handling Of
his racquet, and. besides, he belongs to thai
sturdy. plucky class Of men whom nothing
less than the loss Of his playing arm would
stop, having once made up his mind to play
ing well. Persons well posted expect to
find him In his very best form again, and
they cannot forget that he twice beat
Brookes when they met in 1905, once before
and once after the Australians great trt-
umph at Wimbledon, <
Brookes Is reported to be playing q
stronger game than ever: Wilding who re-
Gently had three weeks play with him be-
fore leaving Melbourne regards him as the
finest player ever seem. All the same. one
Is prepared to find Wright always one Of
the toughest opponents for Brookes. Like
the latter. he is left-handed. and. curiousiy
enough. for this reason the angle Of break
Of his American service Is precisely that
which Brookes dislikes most of all. hence
he could not make any Roadway with
Wright's service games when last they
met.
American players as a rule do much bet
ter on their second visit to this country.
therefore We are justified In expecting an
Improvement in Lttle's game this season.
He did not impress the critics very favor
ably last year, still he gave H. L." q
capital match, and hence he Is q much
better player than he Is given credit for.
Va - No. hi A.
be very surprising II he beat either Brookes
or Wilding.
In Behr. a clever all-round athlete, the
you'd sesm to have very
he Is reported to possess the style and
brilliance Of Larned, without that players
occasional erratic tendencies. But he IL q
stranger to English courts and climate and
will be meeting experience and thoroughly
acclimated opponents Under the circum-
stances 1t seems unreasonable to expect
him to be chiefly instrumental in lifting the
ponds upon whether Wright can hold
Brookes. If So 1t will be anybody's match;
if not. then Australasia should be chal-
lengers Of England.
The representation of England Is extreme
ly uncertain at the present moment. In
the absence of the Dohertys Smith (who
is unlikely to be able to play) and Riseley
ers will be hard put to it to find capable
representation. Richie. Gore, Roper-Bar-
raft and Hilliard are names that have been
mentioned. but 1t appears that nothing def
mite Is decided yet. 1t would seem that
the rumored retirement of H. L. Doherty
may after all, prove to be premature. The
truth Is that he is still undecided. and there
is great hope for England in this attitude.
1t Is quite possible. and even probable. too.
that in the event of III. L. turning out. R.
F. will also be available in the doubles,
vide a more thrilling affair than is at
present anticipated. All things considered.
this years Davis cup contests seem to be
more intensely interesting than usual, with
the prospects of the trophy being borne
away-across 'the big pond or to the
sunny south-brighter by far than ever be-
fore.