Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-07-16
DAVIS CUP NOW
HOLDS ATTENTION
AMERICAN STARS
(By The Associated Press)

New York, July 15.-Triumphant
America turns from the brilliant
links conquests of Bobby Jones and
Jesse Sweetser this week, to pre-
pare her Davis cup defense in an
atmosphere of uncertainty that is
the greatest since William 7. Tilden
and William Johnston brought back
the International tennis trophy in
1920.
Five contests in the next five
weeks, designed by officials as test
ing tournaments for cup team nue.
leos of nine players, will decide
whether the burden of defense is to
rest for the sixth consecutive year
upon members of the Big Four
Tilden, Johnston. Vincent Richards
and r. Norris Williams
They will reveal further whether
lure Of the stage for Tilden, accom-
panied by five tennis defeats during
the indoor and southern seasons, has
been entertained at the expense of
championship form at the net. They
will indicate whether Richards ser
les of unexpected defeats in Europe,
some of them at the hands of sup
posedly inferior players. may be ac-
cepted as marking sharp decline in
his play this year. Finally they viii
tell whether Johnston and Williams,
after more than ten years of cam
paigning, can return once more TO
the corded barrier with enough dash
to retain places on the International
firing line.
The threat of France has become
more menacing that it was Year
ago at Philadelphia, where Lacoste
and Borotra made gallant fight for
the cup. Since then both players
have taken the measure of Tilden
indoors. while Lacoste added the
scalp of Richards. Climaxing these
achievements have been triumphs
over Richards in Europe by Paul
Ferret and Henri Cochet who will be
members of the challenging French
team this year.
Failure of Richards to measure up
to expectations during his overseas
tour after two hard-fought victories
against Tilden in the South, de-
velops speculation as to his ability
TO regain the leading position in ten
MS he occupied a year ago. In adj
dition to defeats at the hands of the
trenchman, he more recently has
been routed by DIR. Hams Landmann
German racqueter. who also took the
measure of the Californian, Howard
kinsey.
Tilden. Williams and Johnston
have not been tested thoroughly as
yet but recollections of the National
champions remarkable recoveries
from spring reyerses in other years,
support conviction that Big Bill
and the mighty atom" from the Far
West will come back once more to
lead in defense of the trophy.
The season thus far has Welded
few younger players whose per-
iormances have merited official con-
sideratipl. Exceptions have been
Edward q. Chandler. twice intercol-
Iegiate champion and Alfred H.
Chaplin, Jr, of Springfield Mass.
Both have scored early season vic
tories over members of the Big
tour'-Chapin over Tilden and
Chandle rover Johnston. Chandler.
who withdfew@fronn competition a
year ago after winning the college
crown. has DECIDED to play through
important fixtures of the campaign
and his impressive play at Phila-
delphla, two weeks ago, has given
indication to many observers that
his powerful racquet will carry him
far toward the top.
The atmosphere of tennis uncer-
talnty extends to the forthcoming
title struggle among the women.
with the Wightman cup restored TO
America, United States supremacy
faces new challenge in the antici-
pated invasion of Mrs. Kathleen Nc
Kama Gorfree, who recently annexed
the Wimbledon champion.
speculation as to the possibility of
Helen Wills recovering her cham
plonship form after an operation a
month n
to this renewal of International COM
petition. The champion herself ap-
pears confident, but a division of
opinion among critics will leave the
answer to her attempted comeback
next month at Sea bri ght n j