The Washington times., 1913-06-06
Competition Record.

NEW YORK, June 6.-With Mayor
Gaynor officiating at the opening the
competition in the contests for the
Davis Cup, the classic tennis event of
the world, started on the West Side
tennis courts here today. Maurice E.
Mclaughlin, the American champion,
met Horace Rice, the left-handed play
er of the Australian team in the first
set of singles. This match will be fol-
lowed by R Norris Williams and STAN
ley n. Doust, captain of the Australian
team, also in singles. The matches will
continue through tomorrow and Mon
day.
The contesting teams represent Aus
tralia and the United States. The win
ming team will be called upon to play
the winner of the Franco-German tie,
and the winner Of the second matches
be opposed by either Canada, South
Africa, or Belgium The team that
scores the victory in the final trial
matches will have the honor Of meet
ing the English team in the contests
session of the coveted trophy by reason
of her victory in Australia last year.
Trials Are Important.
In the history of the cup contests. ex-
tending over a period of twelve years.
the trophy never has been held outside
of England, Australia, and the United
States This fact adds to the import
ance of the trials between the United
States and Australia, since IT is gen
the other of the two countries will meet
the English team in the cup contests
next fall.
The German and French teams are
now playing off their part OF the Davis
South Africa, Belgium. and Canada also
have teams in the field. Should the
Americans win their matches here II Is
considered certain they will meet the
Englishmen in the final matches. The
British players now hold the cup as a
result of their victory over the Austria
lisns at Melbourne last November.
The Australian and American teams
are considered exceptionally well match
ed. The members Of the Australian
team are s. n. Doust, Horace Rice. and
A. B. Jones. All are seasoned matched
players, and, therefore, will not be trou-
bled by nervousness or anxiety. Doust,
who is the captain Of the team. Is rated
as the best racquet wielder in Australia,
and is a veteran of many championship
competitions. Rice is a left-handed
player, and also a veteran at the game.
He is a better singles player than dou-
bles. Back-hand drives are his special
~ and II Is said he Is capable OF pass
ing any yolleyer with these strokes
either side. Jones, the third member Of
the team, Is said to be the best all
round player ever produced in Austria
liza His style is very similar TO that OF
H. L. Doherty.
The American team is exceptionally
strong and well balanced. Mclaughlin
stands as No. on the ranking list, and
holds the national championship in both
singles and doubles, as well as other
important titles. Williams. who is a
student at Harvard, was the sensation
Of the past season, ranking No. 10
Mclaughlin His chief victory was the
winning OF the national clay court
championship at Pittsburgh.
Hackett, the third member of the
team, has a record as a doubles player
that has never been duplicated on the
American courts. He has held the ma
tionaI title, and at times all of the i'm
portant ones. Little. the fourth mem-
ber of the American team. is one of the
veterans of the game. He has figured
in other intern. tional cup matches, ana
was also rated in the doubles with
Hackett, with whom he has been play
ing steadily this season.