1911 International Lawn Tennis Challenge

The 1911 International Lawn Tennis Challenge was the tenth edition of what is now known as the Davis Cup, named after the American tennis player Dwight F. Davis.^[1] 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 E. 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^[2] in Christchurch. Anthony Wilding, whose home city was Christchurch, and Australian Norman Brookes won the 1907 tournament for Australasia; the first time that America had been beaten in this tournament.^[3] With Wilding being absent in Europe for the 1911 competition, the chances of the Australasian team were weakened.^[4]

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. 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.^[5]

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

Final

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

Challenge round

Australasia 4	Lancaster Park, Christchurch, New Zealand[9] 1–3 January 1912[9][10]		United States 0
1 2 3 4 5 1 Norman Brookes Beals Wright 6 4 2 6 6 3 6 3    [9] 2 Rodney Heath William Larned 2 6 6 1 7 5 6 2    [9] 3 Norman Brookes / Alfred Dunlop Maurice E. McLoughlin / Beals Wright 6 4 5 7 7 5 6 4    [10] 4 Norman Brookes Maurice E. McLoughlin 6 4 3 6 4 6 6 3 6 4  [10] 5 Rodney Heath Beals Wright           not played[10]

References

1. "The Davis Cup". The Star (10344). 28 December 1911. p. 3. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
2. "1912". Christchurch City Libraries. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
3. "Tennis Champions". The Star (10346). 29 December 1911. p. 2. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
4. "Lawn Tennis". The Star (10346). 29 December 1911. p. 3. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
5. Cole, Charles (31 December 2011). "Cup's Christchurch ties". The Press. pp. B10–11. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
6. "Americans Lead In Tennis Play.". The Spokesman-Review. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
7. "Yankee Players Defeat English.". The Toledo News-Bee. 13 September 1911. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
8. "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.
9. "Larned and Wright Lose in Cup Tennis; Americans Humbled at Christchurch Nets by Heath and Brookes." (PDF). The New York Times. 2 January 1912. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
10. "Clean Sweep in Tennis; American Team Loses All Its Matches to Australasians for Davis Cup." (PDF). The New York Times. 4 January 1912. Retrieved 24 February 2011.