TENNIS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2655, 10 November 1909, Page 7

TENNIS.

AUSTRALASIAN CHAAIPIONSHIPS

United Piiess Association—Copyright. Nov. 9. In the opening rounds of the tennis championships, Wilding heat Dunlop, 6—l, 6 —3, 6—2. THE DAVIS CUP. Maurice E. M'LauglXin and Melville I-I. Long are the two players chosen to represent America in' the challenge round against Australasia; at Sydney on November 26, 27, and 28. One of last year’s visitors furnished the following particulars of these two young players : —“We are sending you two youngsters who have made a meteoric entry into the international arena. They come from California, where they grow them fast and big. McLaughlin, stands 6ft 2in, and is a real hummer. He serves like a streak, and takes the risk with his second service. In his match against George Jaynes, for the championship of San Francisco, he served twenty double faults, and then won easily at 6—B, 6—2, 6—l. Long came ' to the front in 1906, when, though but. a few months past his seventeenth year, he created a. sensation by wresting the championship'of the Pacific Coast from the holder, G. Jaynes. He lost the title to McLaughlin in the following year, but regained it in 1908. 'He is a fine all-roundjdayer, who snoots his side drives down the line like a flash of lightning. In the Western championship meeting at Chicago, Long through the whole seven rounds without losing a set. At New \ ork he defeated setless the international player Karl Behr, who ran Norman Brookes to five sets at Wimbledon. Wo expect M‘Laughlin to give your fellows most trouble. He is a terrific witter, and -when he gets to the net me camps there. He beat Long after a sensational five-set match at Newport, and went through the national championship to.'the sixth round, and was then only beaten by the 1906 champion, W J. Clothier, in a close finish. Though the names of M'L'aughlm and Lone did not even appear on last year to official ranking list, they havexsinco beaten W. Johnstone, N. W. Niles, Irvin" Wright, and others high up on the list, and are certain to he classed near the top next year. They are both being carefully coached by V . A- Lain cd. the five times champion of America, and if they can only strike tlieir gait in Australia we may get hade our own. Whether they win or lose, they are going to the most hospitable country in the world, .and are sure of the tune of their lives.”