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Detailed match report: August 1903,
Longwood, USA.
Great Britain defeats the Americans 4/1

Version française - French version
French translation


Team Composition:
B.Wrenn :  US Singles Champion 1893,94,98,99 & finalist in 1895. US Doubles Champion 1895 & finalist in 1896.
B.Learned : US Singles Champion 1901,02 & finalist in 1900.
G.Wrenn : Brother of Bob and partner in doubles Championships of 1895 and 96.
R.L.Doherty :Wimbledon Singles Champion 1897,98,99,1900. Wimbledon Doubles Champion, together with his brother in 1897,98,99,1900,01,03.
H.L.Doherty : Wimbledon Singles Champion 1902,03.
Mahony : réserve.
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G.Wrenn(USA), Collins (cap. U.K.), Mahony (U.K.), B.Wrenn(USA)
H.L.Doherty(U.K.), B.Learned(USA), R.L.Doherty (U.K.)

Day 1:

The first singles match opened with a particularly unusual event. Reggie Doherty had a recurring arm injury that prevented him from playing. He was however adamant that the injury would pass in time for his other matches. The English Captain dramatically took the tactical decision to forfeit the match rather than risk playing his reserve. Reggie's brother Laurie then went on to level the competition 1/1 by beating Bob Wrenn by three sets to zero.

USA: 1/ U.K.: 1


Day 2:

The doubles match, previously kept back to the final day, was staged on Day 2 for the first time. A recuperated Reggie fought a hard match with his brother to overcome the Wrenn brothers by three sets to one.
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The double match: the Doherty brothers (left) front of 
the Wrenn brother (rigth, wearing hats) 

USA: 1/ U.K.: 2


Day 3:.

The last two decisive singles matches were played in front of 6,000 spectators on the centre courts of Longwood Cricket Club. Somewhat bizarrely, both matches were played at the same time on neighbouring courts, separated only by a referee's chair! Neither player could hear what was happening on the other court and the atmosphere built as both matches went to five full sets. 

At four games all in the fifth against the American number one Learned, Laurie Doherty went 15/40 down on his own service. Next door, his brother Reggie currently stood at three games all also in the fifth. Learned made a passing shot as Laurie advanced to the net off his serve. The referee announced five games to four in favour of the American, but Laurie immediately raised his hand. The ball had been out! The referee was at a loss since on reflection he felt that the ball had indeed gone out. There was a doubt in his mind however so he tried to consult his line judge only to find that he had disappeared! The two team captains were consulted and then the competition referee. The point was replayed with the line judge having been carefully replaced. This was the turning point for Laurie. He went on to win the next four points to take his service game. He then broke Learned in the next game and retained serve to win the final set 6/4. Next door, Reggie could now hear the change in fortunes of his brother and his own play improved strongly as he also strode onto victory. It wouldn't have needed a lot to change the outcome of this meeting in favour of the Americans!

R.Doherty (left), and Bob Wrenn (right).
Backand volley from Learned in front of L.Doherty

USA: 1/ U.K.: 4


But what had become of the line judge? He quite simply had a rendezvous and had had to leave. When questioned later, he explained that he had forewarned the referee but couldn't wait when his replacement didn't turn up. It might have helped had he drawn everyone's attention to the fact he was leaving!

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