Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-20
BEAT
ITALIANS At NET
Hennessev and Hunter Take
First Matches in Davis
Cup Play.

By the Associated Press.
AUTEuII., France. July 20.-Amer-
ica's Davis Cup tennis players. minus
their captain. william r. Tilden, pro-
duced great surprise today by win-
ming the first two singles matches of
the interzone final contest with Italy,
both In straight sets.
After Francis r. Hunter had defeated
Plaicido Gaslini In the first match by
scores Of 6-1. 6--l, Go. John Hen
nessey downed the Italian ace, Baron
Humbert de Morpurgo. Cd, 7---5, 6--~2.
i Hunters victory was assured after
the first haIf dozen games. as he was
clearly the Italians superior in speed
Of driving and control.
1t was different story In the Hem
nessey -Morpurgo struggle, which found
two fine players arrayed against each
other in thrilling battle In which
every variety of tennis weapon was
brought into play.
Lobs Trick Italian.
Courageous forcing tactics and tricky
lobs which fell inside the lines when
the Italian thought they were certain
outs were what enabled the young
American star to fight his way up from
behind In each OF the two first sets
after 1t seemed impossible for him to
overcome the barons big lead.
Hennessey played hts hardest when
behind. and his brave refusal to con-
slider the possibility Of defeat and his
magnificent rallies from behind in the
earlier sets broke down the resistance
Of the italian in the third set and 1t
proved easy.
Thus the American took 20. leading
In matches, and need to win only one Of
the three remaining two in singles and
one In doubleS--to qualify for the right
TO play the French In the challenge
round here week hence for custody Of
the cup. II they can win the doubles
tomorrow the challenge round goal will
be achieved.
In the tenth game OF the desperately
fought second set, HenneSSey finally
won out on his own service, thus bring
ing the set TO deuce at sail The de-
Gliding point In the game was lost by
the baron on close line decision.
Crowd Cheers American.
lite CTuWd EIIEEEEu HS tIlF
American broke through service in the
eleventh game to lead, 6--5, the final
exchange lasting fully minutes and
both making fine recoverieS. Hennessey
then won the next game and took the
lead In sets at 30. The third set
proved easier and HenneSSey won Il.
6--2, TO take the match
After the first half-dozen games,
Hunter, who has seldom been stcadier,
outclassed Gaslini, whose last-minute
substitution for the ambidextrous
De Stefani, far from helped the cause
of the European eontenders
The American pounded his rivals
backhand numerically, but did not rely
on speed entirely, placing his shots
crafty, mixing the pace and keepins
his opponent running.
Hunter pierced Gaslinis service three
times In each set, losing his own deiiv-
cry only once---in the fifth game OF the
second set The Italians pluckiest at
tempts TO rally came In the early stages
of the first and third sets, but the
offensive collapsed each time as Hunter
| refused to yield command OF the
situation.
Barely 500 spectators witnessed the
| matches In the new Roland Garfos
| Stadium here. Among them was Ilideh'
/ who was dropped from the team yes
terday for alleged violation OF the
| player writer rule and without Whom
| the Americans were expected TO have q
| difficult time against Italy. Big Bill
had hearty congratulation for Hen
nessey and Hunter.
American hopes of clinching the
series tomorrow In the doubles rest
upon Hennessey and the other young
star, George Lott OF Chicago, who viii
CONTINUED on Page 2. Column 2.)