Omaha daily bee., 1914-07-26
IS The DAVIS CUP SAFE?
Such is Question Going the Rounds
Among Tennis Followers,
PROSPECTS ARE NOT so POOR
Foreign Teams Are Having Their
Troubles Just as the Americans,
and Face just ~ Many
Contingencies.

NEW YORK. July E.-An else in the
lawn tennis world has become secondary
60 the sll-absorbing questions: Can the
United States keep the Davis cup2 Is
there possibility that the great Au-
stralasians, Norman p. Brooks Anthony
F. wilding. Stanley Z. Boust and A. w.
Dunlop, may not come through as the
challengers2 II will be good news to the
majority Of the followers OF lawn tennis
in this country that a careful analysis OF
the chances OF America keeping the in
ternational trophy are bright. Even
Stanley NJ. Doust who acted as the cap
tain OF the Australasian team last year,
and who has seen all the leading men in
action this season with the exception OF
the Americans, has recently stated that
Il was by no means a foregono conclusion
that the Australasians would stand ne
the chanengers. and. whether they did or
not. that giving them every advantage
which might possibly be considered as
their rightful portion. the challenge
matches at best did not present anything
better in his estimation than an even
money bet
Here is the manner in which the lead
ing critics figure out that the United
States may continue TO hold the Davis
cup safely, and with II the supremacy Of
the courts for several years 70 come, for
Il is admitted by all OF the nations that
this country has a wealth OF brilliant
young players coming along rapidly TO fill
up the gaps in the ranks left by the re-
81 bn M Ofh0F
tion, lawn tennisically speaking. is in tho
same position. and this Is certainly re-
garded as the farewell year for the part
nership Of Norman +. Brookes and An
thony +. wilding, two OF the greatest
players the world has ever produced and
who will be sorely missed by Australia.
McLouEhIIn May win out.
II is considered likely that Maurice B
Mclaughlin will be able to win both OF
his matches in tho singles. There Is an
excellent prospect Of Mclaughlin having
such a partner in tho doubles as TO
take that match also. The loss OF tho
doubles may be compensated for by
a victory by r. Norris Williams, ID. in
the singles, either against tho first or
second string player OF the opposing
team. The key 20 ali OF tho arguments
of the critics 10 to be found In tho be-
lief that Mclaughlin Will be successful
in both OF his matches. This is the opin-
ion OF Robert d. Brenn, the chairman OF
the Davis cup committee OF manage
ment, and the others OF that committee.
All are ready to grant that the matches
will be sufficiently close TO furnish all
the thrills and chIlls that any one cares
for in the way OF exciting sport. ana
there seems TO be a reason for their
expectations.
Fine sportHmRnshiD.
1t is a fine piece OF sportsmenship on
the part of the Australasians to consent
10 the belated entry of Germany, whom
from a purely technical standpoint they
might have refused TO allow tho Ger
mans the postponcment in nominat-
ing a team. The good spirit of tho
action is all the more to be appreciated.
when ono considers that Otto F'reitzheim.
the captain Of the Germans. Is as dan
gerous as dynamite. for he is strong
player, who may easily strike one OF
his great days and turn the tide OF bat
tie against Brookes and Wilding IL must
be remembered that Freitzheim was the
only player IN the Al-England tourna-
ment, who forced Brookes to the limit ot
five sets, and that in the final round
oscar Kroutzer scarcely measures up as
n double partner 10 FreitNheim. The
strength OF the latter, however, " such
that BrOokes Is likely to get into action
for the matches on the courts OF the
Allegheny Country club, at Pittsburgh
the end OF tho month. and this will prove
something OF u strain for him that VIII
ALI tell when the nations clash for the
cup on the courts OF the West Side Ten
mis- club, at Forest Hills. l.. l.. in August
Mast Win Quickly.
According TO the recently expressed
opinions OF Doust II Is necessary Tor
Broolses 10 win quickly. n at all. A sruel-
ling fNe-set match is apt 10 sup his
strength and leave him at the mercy OF
his opponent at tho finish. That Is one
of the reasons why he was regarded as
particularly fortunate in carrying Off the
contest against Freitzheim at Wimbledon.
But as Il Is now settled that the British
isles team is sure 20 be "A finalist In the
matches at the Longwood Cricket cluo'
Boston, on August 6. I and s, there IL no
question that Brookes must get into the
fray there James Cecil Parke Is the man
most 70 be feared on the British isles
team. and Doust makes the prediction
that Parke is likely TO beat Brookes In
this country. II Brookes we're bit Oft
form. for no Is a terrific volleyer and de-
pends for results on close-quarter work,
his edge might also oe turned by Reginald
r. F. Kingscote. who Is declared to be
another lawn tennis genuine OF tho Nc
Loughlin type.
The Crucial Test.
The AustralAsians regard the final
matches as the crucial deal, which 2s
likely 20 take so much out OF the players
excepting Wiiding. who is one OF the
greatest athletes that the world has evel
known, as to leave them hardly up 10 thu
mark for the assault upon the Americans
IL il 20 be a close rub for the Austral
asians az Longwood. Their men arr
slightly older than those OF any OF thI
other nations. and Il would not be sucl
n tremendous surprise TO those who know
how insignificant things sway the It'd
II II so happened that IL Was the Briusi
isles and not the Australasians who stoo'
in the position OF the challengers for th
Davis cup. Anyway. IL Is regarded a
certain 10 take the fun matches to decid'
the challenging nation.
Altogether. the prospects OF keeping tn
cup are bright II is TO be bitter strug
gle, which makes the victory all IN,