LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 94, 22 April 1931, Page 14

LAWN TENNIS.

AUSTRALIAN VISITORS, ATTCTELLAN3>ERS WIN SINGLES. DOUBLES TO AUSTRALIANS. The exhibition matches at the Stanley Street courts yesterday afternoon, in which the young Australian players D. P. Turnbull and D. Thompson, returning home from the Honolulu tournament. played local stars, was, well patronised by " interested spectators. The games proveded an excellent display of tennis, and also disclosed that the standard of the outstanding young players in New Zealand compares favourably with that of Australia. In the singles games Stedman's speed and control of his drive, especially on the forehand, accounted for his win against Turnbull. who was defeated 6—4. 6—4. Thompson made a keen right against the experienced Bartleet. and the latter had to show his best form to win 2—6, 6—l, 7 —5. Coming to fhe net in the first set. Thompson disconcerted Bartleet, and good overhead work and accurate volleys gave him winning shots. Bartleet got on his drive in the second set, his speed and accuracy leaving his opponent standing in mid-court. In the final set Thompson used more judgment about going to the net. and Bartleet was fully extended to win. The doubles match provided the best play of the afternoon. Turnbull and Thompson defeated Stedman and Sturt 7—5, 6 —3, 6 —4. Weakness overhead and over-lobbing by Stedman lost the local pair several games, while Turnbull displayed a bullet-like first ball in his service which was often a winning ace. This service had not been working in his singles with Stedman. Apart from these features, the match was an admirable display of first class tennis between evenly-matched opponents. Sturt and Thompson frequently had volleying duels, in which the local man proved slightly the superior, but both the local men had not the certainty of the visitors in killing shots.