The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-12-30
AMERICANS
TOOK LEAD
By Winning Two Single
Matches from Australians
In Davis Cup Series
TILDEN BEAT BROOKES
IN FOUR SETS
Johnston Got Away With
Patterson in Straight
Sets and Easily

Auckland, N. o., Dec 30-America
took a commanding lead in the Davis
cup lawn tennis championship tourna-
ment here to-day when William l..
Tilden, I'd, defeated Norman L. Brookes
Of the Australian team 1913, Ga, 10
and Cd, and William M. Johnston de-
feated Gerald B. Patterson in straight
sets, 8-3, 81 and 81.
The Americans need only one more
match to win the cup.
Brookes and Patterson have a chance
to partially redeem their position to-
morrow in the doubles against Tiiden
and Johnston and there are many who
believe they are capable. of gaining
title in being rated as the greatest
doubles players on the courts to-day.
The way Tilden and Johnston ripped
their way through the defense OF the
Australians in to-day's contest, how
ever, gave supporters of the Americans
reason to believe that Brookes and
Patterson must play super-tennis 70
win even momentary respite from
defeat in the tournament. The final
singles matches will be played on Sat
urday.
Tiiden was plainly puzzled by the
splendid volleying of .Brookes to-day,
and Brookes maintained terrific pace
all through the match Tilden's bril-
liant returns did much toward turning
the tide in favor of the American, al
though the heat and Brookes' age may
have had something to do with the
final result. Brookes' game was only
slightly below that shown when he
was in the hey-day of his old time
mastery. Tildens play instituted his
position as worlds champion.
The match was played in two and
quarter hours, including intervals OF
seven minutes between the sets. 1t
was contested bitterly but in the most
sportsmanlike manner, Brookes delib-
erately driving the ball out Of the
court on one occasion in order to make
up for assumed error on the part of
line umpire.
The first set was a gruelling strug-
gle, which Tilden won only after a re-
markable recovery of form in the lat
ter game. The set went to the Amer
lean, who showed wonderful reserve
strength. The third set marked the
elimination of Brookes' play. After
losing the first game he opened up
series of irresistible drives, which car
ried Tilden off his feet, and won the
set, 6 to /,
The fourth set was opened by
Brookes in the same mastery way and
he won the first three games, making
nine consecutive games he had taken
from the American champion. Here
Tilden rallied, however and solved
Brookes smart chop strokes, which
had bewildered him. The PHILADELPHIA
an, serving at his best, drove BroOkes
thither and yon and won the fourth
game easily. Brookes was now firing
fast, and Tilden continuing unbeat-
able tennis won the set and the match.
Tilden's first serves were terrific and
an analysis of the match shows that
Brookes can attribute his defeat to this
feature of the Americans game. Til
den's second ball was invariably re-
turned by Brookes. who shot the ball
to the Philadelphian's back hand.
Johnston's severe drives TO Patter
sons back hand in the back court fea-
tured his first set with his young Aus
tralan star. Peterson replied to these
drives weakly, and his volleying back
handlers were driven back with light
ming speed by the Californian john
ston had won three games before Pat
terson was able to score victory and
finally won the set TO 3.
The second set showed plainly that
Johnston had Patterson's measure, as
he won the set almost at his own pleas
ure. Patterson won the first game,
but failed to break through in anoth-
err contest during the set. which end
ed to in Johnston's favor Patter-
sons volleys. which crossed the net.
were so weak that Johnston was able
to run in and score with lightning
drives.
The third set was repetition of the
second, Patterson's play growing worse
each game. Johnston won FIVE straight
games before Patterson gained a viz
tory, but the American took the fol-
lowing game with ridiculous ease. II
is fair to say that no one has ever been
so overwhelmed in a Davis cup chal-
lenge round and Patterson must re-
organize his back hand strokes il he
desires To retain a place in the Davis
cup tennis circles. Johnston showed
complete mastery Of the game at all
times, and his fore hand drives to Pat
terson's back hand were almost al
ways winning strokes.