failed, and the game was mine: 3-all. It proved the turning-point
in the match, for it not only tired Brookes, but it forced him to
hang back a little from the net so as to protect his overhead, so
that his net attack weakened opportunely, and I was able to nose
out the match in 4 sets.

Another famous match won by a lob was the Johnston-Kingscote
Davis Cup Match at Wimbledon, in 1920. The score stood 2 sets
all, and 5-3 Kingscote leading with Kingscote serving and the
score 30-all. Johnston served and ran in. Kingscote drove sharply
down Johnston's forehand side-line. Johnston made a remarkable
recovery with a half volley, putting the ball high in the air and
seemingly outside. A strong wind was blowing down the court and
caught the ball and held its flight. It fell on the baseline.
Kingscote made a remarkable recovery with a fine lob that forced
Johnston back. Kingscote took the net and volleyed decisively to
Johnston's backhand. Johnston again lobbed, and by a freak of
coincidence the ball fell on the baseline within a foot of his
previous shot. Kingscote again lobbed in return, but this time
short, and Johnston killed it. Johnston ran out the game in the
next two points.


If a shot can win two such matches as these, it is a shot worth
learning to use, and knowing when to use. The lob is one of the
most useful and skilful shots in tennis. It is a great defence
and a fine attack.

The strokes already analysed, drive, service, volley, overhead
and lob, are the orthodox strokes of tennis, and should be at