Lawn Tennis.

(By Huka.)

At the English championship meeting held at Wimbledon last month the singles, were especially interesting. R. F. Doherty retired in the first round, as hewished to allow his younger brother to win on his merits, and not have the chance of being assisted by a bye when they met. H. L. Doherty had a hard game against Qreville, but s Maliony, the Irish crack and champion of 1896, gave him a much harder run in the first three sets, of which the Irishman tqok the first two, 6—4, 6—4, but lost the third, S— 6. After this Mahony unfortunately became unwell, and had to retire, through a touch of the sun. In this game it was a race for the net, both players working in as quickly as possible. Dpherty beat 'Ritchie easily in the final of the all-comers, B—6,8 — 6, 6— -3, 7—5.7 — 5. The challenge match against A. W. Gore, the holder of • the championship for 1901, was full of interest, though Doherty held the game in hand throughout and won the 1902 single championship, 6—4, 6—3, 3—6, 6—o. Doherty improved in this came, and his play was nearly up to his best form. He shpwed a decided preference for the style of play that forced his opponent off one side of the court, which gave him the opportunity of volleying or placing the return on the other side. Gore's serving was excellent, and his placing down" the side Unas made his opponent very careful in his choice of shots to run in on. It will be interesting to note that Dohertj smashed the tosses so well that the stroke had to be almost discarded by his opponents and the passing shot used. This is the first time H. L. Doherty has won the championship, though his brother, R. F., held it for four years prior to Gore's win last year. S. H. Smith and F. L. Risely won the final round of the doubles after a very second-class exhibition of tennis. The holders, the brothers Doherty, were expected to win easily, but at the end ot the fourth set each pair had two sets in. In the final set, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 games all were called, every player winning his service game throughout, until Smith and Riseley got to advantage games at 1] — 3, and feo won the doubles championship. Risely showed the best form all through, his services being •ften untakable, and bis sharp, hard volleying was quite up to championship form. Tha match was played on the mixed double system, Risely at the net, with Smith defending on the base line. The ladies' single championship also changed hands, the -holder, Mrs. Steny, being beaten by Miss M. Robb in two sets straight, 7—5,7 — 5, 6—l.6 — 1. Miss Robb kept her opponent on the defence nil the time with play of a very high standard. Mrs. Steny never had a look in, and was baaton from stait to finish.

Albert Park and M.C.C. had no difficulty in sddiug two more points to their tally last week, and are still brakeUwl together in the ierding position oa ihe premiership list. The scores sre eleven matches played with ten wins each. They will, however, part company next Saturday, when tho programme provides for their meeting each other, Tho ladies' premiership of Victoria is now narrowed down U> « «*r.i«st between representatives from the & KiM» nnd Malvera Clubs The uw**uv£ in the deciding match siould |wvr&» *n *xciting encounter* The Bsvuslmw IS£5 T«fle»S* C^sV 1 * annual n\e<ti»:£ *n>.«k« v& <sv.sviS£ ?&* fin-st rsv «wi»K'sts Kv>< $w;x\s-s\J for

Ww u» S.wUw^ v^ JsxJ* **n\ \s*>* s?ep* k ««si i&fr \Vuvrun assvirfatnvn hss d K^vVutUv\« ivrwuftujj for the Wh ana S£ti\ W>;\* vxwv; a«?es. The WAUh** avws.cf^ i*>* ttv? loth will \>roV «Wy W n^vcxi vw a w«?*k And the final wu\h\ <v Ovrtc« Vark will be pmhed funwmi « vv«k, aud \-ammcnco ou 27th SoViojnbsv.

Ttie Kttglish ve-un w.\« to have loft for Anu'tica «>n tho Idih uf last month, nnd w.is to be «iunpos«d of R. F. and H. L. Dohevty and an ex-chamj-ion (probaMv ('ore) whose nrm* had to 1)6 withhtU for hvfsin&ss reasons. If this unknown I'id r.ot go Hitlyard was to take his place.