The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-05-24
winning the Davis Cup.

The deciding match of the Davis cup
was ut hand--the doubles. II We won.
America WAS assured Of the cup; II
taken by Australasia, they still had
chance. This event drew the largest
crowd Of the entire meeting. fully o''on
people p!led into the enclosure around
the court.
Public opinion was united In conced-
INK the match to Brookes and Patterson
The critics had not been impressed d!
tn. play of Billy Johnston and myself
as a doubles team. And why should
they Our sole efforts while IN AUS
tralasa had been Sin defeats TO one
victory when pittcd against Hardy ana
Washburn. That was why one heard
comments on our being used al all in
the doubles.
When play opened Brookcs was visibly
tired from his efforts Of the previous
day in singles against me. But ratter-
son WAS greatly improved and keen with
4 determination To retrieve his terrible
showing against Johnston. As always
BIlly and ! were little uncertain IN
doubles But BILLY quickly rounded into
his hest form. and the games sc"Sawrd
back and fourth To fUur-all. For TN"
Pattcrson's remarkable
smashing and Brnukrs' ability I" make
q astounding gets az vel! as TO anticipate
our hes, shots moi only brought them I"
this point. hut finally permitted them
To- break through on my service Tor thr
first set at Ga.
Johnston Hts Fast PAcs.
Brookcs was steadily improving In
this event, whereas Patterson was be-
ginning to show signs OF n relapse. And
Billy and 7 began working together brt-
Ter now, Billy was driving remarkably
well OF service. and his close in volley-
ing scored point after point Tor US
BrookeS and | but kept III" bail in pla!
during it. As result Of Johnston
severity and ratt"rSOn's crrat!r StreaKs
the second set Was ours at 81.
Tho :hIrd set proved riot. johnston
literally went wild and everything he
hit went for a placement. N"ithcr u"
nor | nj, one shot out and Johnston
1ettcd but two while I placed only four
within this barrier Fill scored the re-
narkab!- total of ton placement 10 my
seven Against such ;cnr!s as johnston
la shed in tha, set even Brunkrs wiltcd
while Patterson broken completely. We
.ook il at 60.
The result from that point was never
IN doubt. The Australians, particular!
EroukrS. fought hard for the rnal set.
In fact BrookcS play cd his finest tennis
" tho match as defeat stared them IN
The face But It All proved or u" aNalI
FOR we already h"!d the hiE advantage
md lost no TINE N pressing il home
The Davis Cup was At last ours when
~ won THIS last set At 6-".
Johnston IN . Pinch.
That night was New Years Eve and
he god old New Zealand custom or
Mild and cheerful greeting Of the COM
ng year was certainly carried out Not
the breaking up or the
,.rty in tho wee small hours the ma.
lay 81 tennis produced two great
matches.
Rrookss, the Wizard. again proved his
n, by his wonderful display against
Billy Johnston. True, Johnston Won :
,ut II WAS only after one Of the narGcSt
struggles Of his career. Brookes was !
superb In the early stages Of TINS mat !
he caught Johnston going !
way from tho ball. And he took the
irst set after L bitter struggle OF the
lind in which each had the chances only |
q have the other pluck them away.
The second set saw Brookes in his
,cst vein. He took commanding LEAD
!, 50 and the set was in his hands at |
O.all. by crason Of what seemed sure !
,ilI when Johnston made a remarkable |
TOSS court volley return OF II that. III
nv opinion, shook Brookes' nerve and !
=, vrd the match for America. From that |
,oint Johnston put on steam and pulled
, even terms. The strain OF play mere
,egan telling on Brookes. As result
Johnston was never again In Danger. |
10 yon tho second set at 7-5 and ran |
,ut the match in the succeeding two. |
"a. 6-3.
Tho Patterson I mat that day was
,rcatly improved performer. During our /
irst set he showed flashes OF maSnih- |
ont form and no took II. Is. But this
,royrJ the end for him as I succeeded
n gaining complete command or the s'-
ration in the next set by concerted
hon attack on Patterson's backhAnd.
20 It was my good fortune to win mo
nal point for America with this score ,
-, So. SIS, So.
ConcluaI0nS !
The matches proved several things
,uite conciuHVeIy. While II did not
iced them to prove 1t they nevertheless
citrratcd the fact that H!ily Johnston
$ a M, gn ificrnt player. They likewise
,rovcd that nj fo-y-.hrre years Nor
nan E. Brookcs IL still the greatest
aunt general and tennis genius In mo
world 1t WAS merely years that de-
Gated Rrookss. His stroke equipment
= still the equal OF that Of the Trading
,layer's to-day and his knowledge OF how
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Easy 10 1iks Old 10 kskrvs @A-Aa1a1<