The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-02
Americans HaUe Formidable Lead On Australians

FOREST HILLS, N. Y, Sept. 1.- (By Associated Press)-Conqueror Ing Australia today in a gruelling spectacularly-f fought doubles match that takes rank among the titanic struggles in international tennis, the United States obtained a command ing position in the defense of the Davis cup, a two to one lead that seemed too formidable for the chal- lengers to overcome.
 William T. Tilden, national cham pion, and R. N. Norris williams, team captain, were the heroes of Americas s triumph. Making their debut as an international combination, they van quished the brilliant Australian pair, James O. Anderson and John B. Hawkes., 17-15; 11-13; S-6; 6-3; 6-2 in five whirlwind sets, for Sheer bril- liancey of stroke, execution and strategy have seldom, if ever, been eQualed on any courts.
 Coming from behind after dropping two of the first three sets, in which the tide bf battle swept back and forth in an amazing test of stamina and courage, the Americans rose to super heights in the last two sets and crushed their rivals with dash ing, invincible attack.
 For two hours and thirty eight minutes, the struggle, as it swayed
  nearly 10000 in the new west side stadium intense uncertainty. The American pair put their opponents to rout and at the close the crowd threw restraints to the winds and cheered yictors as well as vanquished to the echo.
 Australia, whose battle even in de- feat today but served to lmphasize the unexpectedly formidable character of it's challenger to Americas tennis supremacy, faces only fighting chance for victory now in the inter national series. To lift the historic trophy, the team must capture potn of the single matches that conciuoe the play on Monday. With Tilden and William M. Johnson however, to bear the brunt of defense in ine final tests, critics tonight regarded triumph for the United States as virtually certain.
 Only the most spectacular of up5 sets. A reversal overshadowing the defeat of Little Bill' Johnson oy Anderson in five sets yesterday, couid accomplish the trick for Australia
 Anderson, the ace of the challeng ~fnp forces, will oppose Tilden, while Hawkes. will play Johnston in the concluding matches victory In put one of which Is necessary to cnIch Uncle Sam's possession of the cup TOT another year.
 Today's victory for America not only established q new mark TOT uu- ration in international play put III the first set equalled the rec1au ioa length made in 1914 when Maurice McI,ou oughlin, the California comet turned back Norman E. Brooks, Aus tralian wizard by score or 1t-1o in the final set, then sweeping on to a straight victory in one or the ms Il spots of Davis cup annals.
 That first set today was stransely ran1iniscent to veteran tennis fol lowers of that historic battle neariy a decade ago between Mclaughlin and Brooks, in both of which Amer ica and Australia fought for su premacy. Oddly enough the Verdlce both times went to this country stars. struggle could be pictured than that waged in the first two sets this ar ternoon. Back and forth, Australian and Yankee fought, contestlns TOT every point from both fore and oack court, achieving marvellous gets, ana ana rakin1 each others ground Wltn strokes that shot back ana iorth with blinding speed. Then Tn the third set, the Australians swept 10 the fore as the defenders seemed to wane under a relentless, driving at tack. But, just as swiftly after a rest of several minutes, the tiae swung back to America's favor The Yankee pair, playing as If inspired, carried all before them In those last two sets. The Australians called on all their reserve. employed the most resourceful of tactics in an effort 10 stem that crushing assault, but Tn vain. Eventually they weakened un- der the pace but it was the unswerv. ing confidence, deadly accuracy ano game that gained them their tri- umph.
 Hidden and Williams shared about equally In the laurels or victory The team work of the Australian n pair for the most part proved Tar superior to that of the cup defend CTS but when pressed the hardest the Americans, by the sheer prii. Iiancv of their individual play. were able to check the better organized attack of their challengers.