Davis Cup

In Rome, Copenhagen, Havan, Torquay, Warsaw and New Orleans last week a conspiracy began to close in against France. Six nations' tennis teams eliminated six others from the second round of international Davis Cup play. The U. S. defeated Mexico; Australia, Cuba; England, Rumania; Denmark, Jugoslavia; Poland, Holland; Italy, Egypt. The French, defending Davis Cup champions since 1927, were alarmed, but not by numbers. They knew that only three nations had a chance and that at least one new tennis phenomenon must be found to take the Davis Cup away from France. Failing the phenomenal, aging (32) Henri Cochet would be enough to keep it another year in France especially if aided by Jean Borotra, 33. Also at hand this year is Rene Lacoste, 27, who helped take the Cup from the U. S. in 1927, retired in 1929 and will attempt a comeback this week against the British.

Critics were unimpressed by the U. S. victory, 5-0, over third-rate Mexico at New Orleans. Gangling, nerveless Ellsworth Vines, U. S. national champion and leading candidate for phenomenon, was still short of his top form. He seemed absentminded, possibly because of his planned marriage in June to Verle Low of California. Texan Wilmer Allison, a plodder, showed a few moments of brilliant tennis. The supposedly invincible doubles team of Allison & John Van Ryn needed four sets to win. This team will play Australia next; then, if victorious, the winner of the European zone finals; then, possibly, France (July 29-31) at the Stade Roland Garros in Auteuil. Notable is the fact that all the U. S. players have taken turns beating each other, none is invincible. Experts pin the dubious U. S. chances on the incalculable Vines.

Other candidates for phenomenon are: Australia's Jack Crawford, fireball player of the 1928 and 1930 Davis Cup matches; England's Frederick J. Perry, unbeaten ping pong player, Herbert Wilbur ("Bunny") Austin and C. R. D. Tuckey, British Army mystery man, a harder hitter than the other Englishmen.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.