Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-17
BILL T|LDEN LOOKS
FOR TIGHT MATCHES
National Champion Says Aus
tralia Has Edge, but He Has
a Hunch on Spain
COURTS IN FINE SHAPE
BY WILLIAM T. TILDES, I'd
National Tennis Champ,op

Spain and Australia tuned up to the
last moment on the courts of the Ger
mantown Cricket Club where they meet
this afternoon in the opening matches
of the final round of the Davis Cup
competition to decide who will challenge
America in New York next month.
1t looks to me like very tight. close
match. viii! possibly a slight edge to
Australia. although ! have n hunch on
Spain. The first match brings Count
dc Gomar, Of Spain. against Gerald Il.
Patterson. the worlds champion and
captain of the Australian team. This
seems like q point for Australia.
Captain Patterson in n short. fast
workout with me yesterday looked to he
AZ his best. ! played De Gomar in the
morning and found the Spaniard in fine
shape. OF the ground he is the equal
or superior of the Australian star. but
lacks the aggressive net attack Of the
worlds champion.
Both men have severe services. with
Patterson holding the advantage. I
look to sec four or FIVE set battle.
and, although ! believe Patterson will
win. ! would not be tremendously sur
priScd 70 sec him pressed 70 the limit.
Manuel Alfonso, of Spain. meets Pat
O'Hara Wood in the second and feature
match of the day. The sore shoulder
which has bothered the Australian for
some weeks Is still very stiff. but will
not seriously handicap him il the
weather Is warm and allows him to
work out freely.
Alfonso Looks Good
Manuel Alonso is playing in ragnif-
cent form. In the three practice sets
with me yesterday this brilliant young
star drew cheers from the gallery by
the magnificent daring and audacity OF
his attacks.
look to see him defcnt Wood, but
only after hard struggle, for the
crafty little Australian is one of the
hardest fighters and caeverest match
players in the game. 1t will be speed
both Of shot and foot by Aloneo ag1tnst
| placement and accurate steadiness by
| Wood.
II Alfonso can keep the control he
| displayed against me yesterday, he will
| win. II his control fails him, then
Wood should pull out in long, bitter
match.
Tho courts, which viii nlso be used
| for the feature matches in the national
singles. are in splendid condition, hard,
dry and fast. Both teams express their
delight on the playing conditions. The
big north stand Is completed and large
block Of seats cold, which shows ths
tennis public will not miss this chance
10 see these great players. The south
stand will not be used during the Davi.
Cup trial.
Donor Of Cup Here
| Dwipht Davis, the donor Of the In
nous Davis Cup. is here TO act n!
referee of the tie Frankly it looks Il
me as II the Spanish Australian mattel
will be even closer and better tennis
than the splendid French Australian
semi final just completed.
No matter who wins, America mus
produce her best To repcl the chaIlen'
Patterson. Wood and j. o. Anderson
il he is in condition. one finds groul
of stars Of the first flight. Anderson il
now resting in the mountains and viii
not be with the team in Philadelphia
IL he rccovers in time he will play witt
little Bill Johnston at Boston in tn
national doubles.
Should Spain and Australia divid
the first singles, as seems very likely
the doubles will bring the same player
in competition on Friday. Here Aus
tralia has distinct edge and shOul
win decisively.
saturday brings De Gomar agains
O'uara Wood in the first match wit
the big feature, Manuel Alonzo an
Gerald Patterson. to close. An, what
match that will be II the score shout
hang two matches all, as Is quite pos
sible.
Who would win? couldn't eve
, offer a suggestion, but this | know tina
two OF the greatest players Of all time
would be battling with their country
honor n stake and each will fight unit
they drop on the court before defea
is admitted
Yes, the Spanish Australian mate
should write tennis history and in it
, writing will be many match wort
going miles 10 see. Attend. ring u
!, the curtain: Count de Gomar for Spair
+ Gerald l.. Patterson for Australia.
Copyright. 1872, BY Public Ledger Compar
Kensineton Has Open Date
The kepsiugtoa A. A, has an open dat
: on its schedule for Saturday August II