Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-04
HARMED IS WANTED ON THE TEAM
Effort to Induce the Singles Cham
pion to Go to Australia.


NEW YORK, Oct.S.-A determined eff
fort will be made to have William A.
'Larned, the American lawn tennis singles
champion, give his consent to making the
trip to Australia with the two other
players who are certain to go after the
Davis trophy. 1t has been intimated that
Larned was wavering in his decision about
the trip. Earlier in the year it was an
nounced positively that he would not go.
But the outcome of the preliminary
matches at L~ongwood has put an entirely
different face on the matter. Larned won
his two matches In fine style, beating as
good a players as Richie in a way that
stamps him as the best man here.
Beals Wright, on the other hand, did
not play up to the mark. He seems to
merit the. English criticism that he never
has been the same man since he met with
that accident in 1906 at the Crescent Ath.
letic club grounds. In his match with
Parke he displayed courage enough, but
no one ever doubted that he had courage.
He should have been able to dismiss a
player like, Parke In shorter order, accord
Ing to the views of the experienced OBJ
servers who saw the match. Being beaten
by Richie in straight sets raises a great
question whether 1t is fair to this country
10 Stuu II team 10 AuSITdldSld composed
only OF Alexander and Wright, leaving at
home the country's best man in singles.
Is a matter of fact many persons who
saw the Longwood matches question
strongly the wisdom of embarklng on the
trip If Larned were left at home. Great
pressure will be brought to bear on the
champion for that reason. II he can be
persuaded to go along there are many
who feel confident that this country will
be successful in its attempt. to regain the
international lawn tennis trophy.
Larned with growing years has shown a
greater ability to rise to emergencies. He
is not 50 easily thrown off his poise, and
certainly he played increasingly better ten
mis- as the issue seemed to be going against
him. 1t is not that Wright is incapable of
playing great tennis. but there is some
thing wrong with him., and there has been
ever since 1906, which prevents him rising
to the heights he occupied in 1905 and just
before that year.
To leave the singles in part to Alexander
might not result well for This country.
Alexander is often OF the most brilliant in
his play, but he is often unsteady in
| crisis. That is not the dependable type
needed for important matches in which al
most any conditions may arise. Still II
is believed that Alexander and Wright
will make a splendid pair. Wright is as
good as the best as a doubles partner and
Alexander always is better with some one
in the court with him,
It is expected that an announcement OF
the makeup OF the team will not now be
long delayed. The program is to have the
players sail from Vancouver early this
month. so that no great amount Of time
remains. There is a very decided feellnl
among lawn tennis followers that Larnet
must be included. Larned has played ir
ten Davis cup matches, winning six Of
them. Wright has won in four OF siS
matches that he has played In singles~anc
has been on the winning side three time'
out of four in doubles Alexander and
Hackett are newcomers in internationa
competitions.