Sport: Davis Cup

William Tatem Tilden broke even. He was ousted from amateur play by the U. S. Lawn Tennis Association (TIME, July 30) and he was temporarily reinstated for the finals of the Davis Cup play by the U. S. L. T. A. at the behest of Myron Timothy Herrick, U. S. Ambassador to France. Gallantly, recklessly he conquered Rene Lacoste of France, and was later trounced in straight sets by Henri Cochet of France. Ambassador Herrick, a quick-acting diplomat, knowing that the French would not feel satisfied unless Tilden was in action, promptly said the necessary words to the U. S. tennis officials. A final decision on Tilden’s status will be made when he returns to the U. S. Meanwhile, Dwight Filley Davis, Secretary of War and donor of the Davis Cup, was quoted by the Denver Post as saying that “Tilden probably is guilty of professionalism and should be barred from amateur competition.” France retained the Davis Cup because she has three aces, whereas the U.S. has only Tilden. Cochet and Lacoste took turns defeating John Hennessey; it was Hennessey’s first appearance on Continental courts, and he gave the Frenchmen a lusty battle, but that was all. The critical match was the doubles: Tilden & Hunter v. Cochet & Borotra. The Frenchmen were not an efficient team; they bumped into each other and let several balls drop between them. Nonetheless, their individual brilliance conquered Ace Tilden and Hapless Hunter, 6-4, 6-8, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2. It was a melee that the fillers of Roland Garros Stadium did not soon forget.

Tilden, against Lacoste, was the oldtime wizard. He was at the net killing the ball, at the baseline angling Lacoste out of position. He won, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. Cochet was the toast of the boulevards last week. His work in the doubles and his quick disposal of Tilden in the singles, 9-7, 8-6, 6-4, showed conclusively that when he is at his peak no man can climb him. The tabulation: France, 4; U. S., 1.