1911 International Lawn Tennis Challenge

The 1911 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the tenth edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup. After no country decided to challenge Australasia in 1910, only the British Isles and the United States would challenge for the Cup, for the third straight edition. Also for the third straight edition, the Americans would beat the British to earn the right to play for the Cup, and for the third straight edition, the Aussies would beat the Americans for the title.

For the first time, however, teams were allowed to use substitute players in dead rubbers, with the United States playing Maurice McLoughlin in singles after Australasia had clinched the final. The final also marked the first time a tie was played in New Zealand, when it was played at Lancaster Park[1] in Christchurch.

Rain delayed the beginning of the games scheduled for 29 December 1911, and the 1911 Davis Cup event was held between 1 and 3 January 1912. Australian Norman Brookes beat Beals Wright in the opening match. Rodney Heath increased the lead for Australasia by beating William Larned. Australasia retained the Davis Cup through a win in the doubles, with Brookes and Alfred Dunlop being successful over Wright and Maurice E. McLoughlin. The fourth match was defaulted by Wright, and Larned stepped aside to give the younger McLoughlin the opportunity to play Brookes. After leading 2 sets to 1, Brookes came back and won the match, and gave Australasia a clean 5–0 victory.[2]

1911 Davis Cup Challenge Round match between Australasia and the United States at Hagley Park, Christchurch, New Zealand on 1–3 January 1912

Final


United States
4		 West Side Tennis Club, New York, United States[3]
9–12 September 1911[3][4]
British Isles
1
1 2 3 4 5
1 United States
United Kingdom		 William Larned
Charles Dixon		 6
3		 2
6 		6
3		 3
6 		7
5		  [3]
2 United States
United Kingdom		 Maurice McLoughlin
Arthur Lowe		 7
5		 6
1		 4
6 		4
6 		6
3		  [3]
3 United States
United Kingdom		 Thomas Bundy / Raymond Little
Alfred Beamish / Charles Dixon		 3
6 		5
7 		4
6 		     [5]
4 United States
United Kingdom		 William Larned
Arthur Lowe		 6
3		 1
6 		7
5		 6
1		    [4]
5 United States
United Kingdom		 Maurice McLoughlin
Charles Dixon		 8
6		 3
6 		6
3		 6
2		    [4]

Challenge round


Australasia
4		 Hagley Park, Christchurch, New Zealand[6]
1–3 January 1912[6][7]
United States
0
1 2 3 4 5
1 Australasia
United States		 Norman Brookes
Beals Wright		 6
4		 2
6 		6
3		 6
3		    [6]
2 Australasia
United States		 Rodney Heath
William Larned		 2
6 		6
1		 7
5		 6
2		    [6]
3 Australasia
United States		 Norman Brookes / Alfred Dunlop
Maurice McLoughlin / Beals Wright		 6
4		 5
7 		7
5		 6
4		    [7]
4 Australasia
United States		 Norman Brookes
Maurice McLoughlin		 6
4		 3
6 		4
6 		6
3		 6
4		  [7]
5 Australasia
United States		 Rodney Heath
Beals Wright		           not
played[7]

References

  1. ↑ "1912". Christchurch City Libraries. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  2. ↑ Cole, Charles (31 December 2011). "Cup's Christchurch ties". The Press. pp. B10–11. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Americans Lead In Tennis Play.". The Spokesman-Review. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Yankee Players Defeat English.". Toledo News-Bee. 13 September 1911. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  5. ↑ "Americans Win Tennis Games. Scored Heavily Against Britons in Matches to DEcide Challengers. Dixon Set Up a Great Argument with the Champion Larned.". The Spokesman-Review. 10 September 1911. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Larned and Wright Lose in Cup Tennis; Americans Humbled at Christchurch Nets by Heath and Brookes." (PDF). New York Times. 2 January 1912. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Clean Sweep in Tennis; American Team Loses All Its Matches to Australasians for Davis Cup." (PDF). New York Times. 4 January 1912. Retrieved 24 February 2011.