New Britain herald., 1914-07-29
)Dapis Cnp Raised Tennis
 10 International Sp0rt
History of Trophy Reads Like Romance With Many
 Countries Fighting for Its Possession-Eng- t land Held It Five Times.

The history of the Davis cup. the grail of the lawn tennis world, the trophy which America is defending against thesattacks of the worlds best players next month. is a TO- mance of sport. It stands for the rise and growth ofslawn tennis into an in- sternational sport, fulfilling to the limit ahe idea and desire of its donor, the man who had done the most for lAmerican tennis. Dwight F. Davis.
 Since the inauguration of the Davis cup matches in 1900 there has been an annual struggle for the trophy, with the exception of two years, 1901 and 1910. in the latter year Aus tralia winning by default. America, now holding the trophy by virtue of its victory last summer in England, has captured the honors three times. in 1900, 1902 and 1918. England leads, with five victories these being taken in 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906 and 1912.
 Australia, the only other country to hold the cup, had four victories and one default to its credit, the team from the Antipodes triumphing in 1907. 1908, 1909 and 1911. A victory for America this year will mean that America is tied with Australia.
 Series of 1900.
 When Dwight Davis first placed the cup in competition in 1900, England was the only challenger. The British Isles sent over a team composed of 4. Gore, H. Roper-Barrett and l.. D. Black, a combination that was be- lieved invincible. Roper-Barrett; by the way, is still in harness. So certain were the Engiishmen that they would win that when they arrived in this country three days before the match they went for a pleasure trip to Niagara Falls instead of practising. The matches were played at Long, wood, August S. and 10; America gained a glorious victory. Malcolm b. Whitman and Dwight Davis won their singles matches and Davis and Holcombe Ward won in doubles. This was enough to win. but the final matches were prevented by rain.
 In 1901 England challenged again. but failing to get together a strong enough team, requested that the chal- lenge be withdrawn and there was no match
 Series of 1902.
 The following year, 1902, England sent over the greatest team it has ever possessed to try its skill against the American holders. The English men pinned their faith in the great Doherty brothers, Reginald F. and H, L., and Dr. Joshua Pim. America had the same team as in 1900, with nF 1ioY A To q 8 singles player, in place of Ward, who devoted his whole attention to doubles. America defended the trophy staunchly, winning three out of four singles matches and losing in doubles, thus taking the honor, to 2. These matches were played at the Crescent A. C., near Brooklyn. and 10000 persons. the largest crowd that ever saw three days of tennis play, attended. The first days play was stopped by rain. but the following day Reginald Doherty won his singles match from Larned, three sets to two. Malcolm Whitman, however redeemed this by winning in order from Dr. Pim and R. F. Doherty, while Larned defeated Pim-
 Series of 1903.
 CneeTeO Dy winning tWO VlCIoIlSS the previous year, England then sent back the two Doherty brothers as She whole British team in 1903. The Dohertys were then at the top of their marvellous game and they made a clean sweep of the four matches played, America winning one match by default, R. F. Doherty giving up his match against Larned when he wrenched his arm.
 Tn 1904 Amrica decided not to challenge and the European nations fought it. out among themselves. In the final Belgium defeated France and went to England for the matches The Doherty brothers and Risley won with a clean sweep, taking all five matches.
 Series of 1905.
 By 1905 the fame of the cup had gone round the world and a big series of elimination contests was needed to decide the winner. Australia en- tered for the first time with strong team composed of A. F. Wilding and Norman Brookes, who are still the representative players of that coun- try.
 For America, Beals Wright came into play for the first time, he, with Ward and Larned, making up the American team. This combination for the United States won from France, while Australia defeated Aus tria. This brought America and the
 tContinued on Ninth Papel