New Britain herald., 1930-07-25

Auteuil, France, July 25 CP- Battle lines vert drawn to for the opening Of play in the Davis cup challenge round with the defending tennis stars Of France favored to beat back Americas thrust for the third successive year,
 The gloomy forebodings voiced by the French after the debacle of Wimfsedon had given way today to enthusiastic optimism. Partlsans of the tri-color felt the apparent re- turn 10 form of Henri Cochet clear ly gave the cup defenders the ad- vantage.
 With Big Bill Tllden mached with Jean Borotra and Cochet battling Lott in the opentng singles matches. the possibility Of a double French victory was foreseen in some quar- ters with French leanings.
 Despite such predictions, however. most experts were inclined to be- lieve nightfall would find the two teams deadlocked at one victory apiece,
 Cochet was considered 9 virtual certainty 10 defeat Lott but Tilden always has been Borotra's master outdoors. He holds seven consecu- tive victories over the bounding Basque on turf and grass courts.
 In doubles tomorrow, Wilmer AL lison and John tan Ryn, Wimbledon cham pions, probably will be pitted against the second string French team Of Jacques Brugnon and Chris tian Boussus although there is a possibility that Cochet may team up with Brugnon.
 The last two singles matches on Sunday will find Tilden meeting Cochet and Lott facing Borotra,
 Tnden's Return Helps
 Big Bill' Tilden again made Q last minute entry in the challenge round of the Davis Cup play, and France regarded her defense of the cup as fully 50 per cent more diff cult than 1t appeared before.
 AS in 1928. when Tilden worked out his player writer difficulties aft CT the inter-zone finals and just be- fore the challenge round. the lanky American star again rushes on the scene as shining American home
 Entering his 1lth year of chal- lenge round play Tilden will repre- sent America in two of the singles matches. George Lott Of Chicago. under the present arrangement. will play in the other two singles con- tests
 Ttlden's participation remained in doubt, due 10 a contract he held to report the matches, but an agree ment vas reached whereby he can write advance stories but not dur ing actual days of play, and as 3. re- suit America is supplied with badly needed strength.
 Without Tilden the American team would be hard pressed for singles representatives Lott won both his matches in the interzone finals. but has been consistently una ble to win from Jean Borotra, the Basque ace.
 Wllmer Allison. Fort Worth star. dtltdled Henrl toCnet at Nlmble- don, but tennis followers are in- cllned to the belief that the victory was just "one of those things" and that his chance 10 repeat in Davis Cup play would be remote.
 Tilden. however, usually can de- feat Borotra. and he always extends Cochet. In addition he reached high form this year. due to a strenuous European campaign, which well might enable him to supply America with the singles victories needed.
 America is leaning heavily on John Van Ryn Of Princeton and AL hson to repeat their doubles victory of last year, and with Tilden bat ting in the singles hopes for vic tory have frightened considerably.