New-York tribune., 1919-01-19
France Challenges Australia
For Davis Cup Matches i'm 1920

BILE half-volleys and my powerful
forehand,' and only casually mention
that we actually lost both sets. At
any rate, the spectators seemed to
ENJOY 1t, as every one pulled off
brilliant stroke now and then.
D.. 5. Brown, jr was there 1t
was he, as we'll as Colonel Whitney
and General Davis, who tried to
spread the news finally by wire
among the American players. Among
other United States entrants included
were Captain McGavin, Pacific Coast
champion dozen years ago; Colonel
Becbe. who plays with all tennis
playing visitors to the Philippines,
and Colonel Johnson, who is in
charge Of athletics in the A. Z. f.
The United States entry didn't excel.
Brown and | lost to French team
in doubles. and in the singles Nc
Gavin lost to Colbert, Brown to Major
Whiting, an Australian, and I, after
barely struggling through two
matches, was finally beaten in
Stralght sets by a young French
lieutenant named Gerbault.
Colbert Wins Singles
Colbert won the singles, much to
every ones delight, as we felt ex-
ccedingly grateful to him for start
ing the idea, and, apart from that, he
is a universal favorte. He beat
Riseley, of England. q major in the
Guards, in the semi-tinals, GO. IS,
after Riseley had beaten A. B. Jones,
the Australian internationalist, and
Aymc, an eX-champion Of France.
Ris?ley. by the way, had come over
with Mahoncy to play in the first
tournament on these courts-in 1893.
in the other half r. w Heath fell an
easy victim to Dccugis. In the finals
Decugis was decidedly off, and after
losing the first set to Colbert very
easily and the first game of the sec
ond he withdrew
"Thc Australians had the upper
hand in the doubles. Jones and
Jcnckin q young Australian who
was studying at Cambridge and is
now a major in the English army,
beat Decugis and Du Pont, but were
in turn beaten by Heath and Lysett
an old combination in Australia
Both matches went to three sets
through beating Riselcy and Cart
wright, fellow officer Of Riseley's
in the Guards. Riseley by the way,
was showing flashes Of his old skill
at the net throughout the whole
tournament. The aggressive tactics
Of the Australians were too much for
the rather old fashioned game of
Ayme in the finals.
"Though it was delightful to have
chance to play again after one, two
three and four years Of inaction, in
tennis sense, what made the
tournament such magnificent sue
cess vas the chance to meet the
players Of the other countries and
not only talk over with them the
glorics Of the past, but also to dis
GUS plans for still greater future
There was a luncheon for every one
at the club on the 18th. at which
Monslcur Lccaron, honorary prcsi-
dent was POSTMASTER. He called on
Conmandant Wallet, president Of
the French Federation Of Sports. and
Baron Saillard. tn" indcfaticablc ref
erec, who won and deserved the high
est praise for the firm tact with
which he drew the contestants Mt the
appointed hours out to the courts
from the Witchcry Of Paris.
Silver Medals and Canes
"Colonel Russell Brown, of the
English army. in behalf Of the visit
ing players, began by saying that all
the French he knew was the rudi-
mcntary phrase. SO essential in any
!anguaEc How much I'll give YOU
half" but bclied himself by con
tinulng IN a witty style that brought
down the house. The prizes were
distributed aftcrward. or rather. the
souvenirs, as with French hospitality
wc were each given one and not only
the winners luckily for most of Us.
They we're handsomely cut silver
medals and canes.
'Ihc whole tournament was a
splendid idea, delightfully."- carried
ou'. livery one was anxious to have
another ono soon, as it seems pity
not 10 make the most Of this chance
Of bringing 50 many players OF dlf-
fcrcnt countries together. There
Will certainly never be another time
Fhcn they win be on one continent
Wlth no gainful occupation to dis
'ract them All the men talked
20 were keen 10 BEEN the Davis Cup
matches again this year. ard Com
rnandan. Wallet cabl-d Frances en-
try over TO Australia. There is a
scheme nloot to have gcrat intor-
Allied Olympic meet at Paris in Mav.
including tennis. OF course, under the
nanaRclncn, of The United States
If elimination trials nrc hcln. IA lot
Of tcnnis supplies will be needed"
Tho captain added that tennis cauip.