LAWN TENNIS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 156, 7 August 1914, Page 2

LAWN TENNIS.

THE DAVIS CUP MATCHES. CANTEEBXJSY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP. The decisive victory of the Australasians over Germany came as no surprise; but if it does nothing else it goes to show that Brookes and Wilding are still rigtit at the top of their form. Apparently Wilding had little difficulty in disposing of Kreutzer, his masterly back-line play quite nonplussing the young German. "Anthony the absolute" had a somewhat tougher proposition in Froitzheim, who made a much better showing than his countryman. Evidently Brookes finds Froitzheim a much more difficult opponent than does Wilding, probably from the similar nature of their play. Both depend mainly for their scoring shots on those brisk cross-court volleys that so delight the spectators. In one set the German actually beat the champion at his own game, and repeatedly passed him down the side lines. It is pleasing to notice the improved form shown by the two colonians in their double play. To beat two such opponents as Froitzheim and Kreutzer without losing a set, and with only having four, games recorded against them, was a performance that even outshone the singles contests. Having defeated Germany, the Australasians will next have to tackle the Britishers in the final of the preliminary ties, and everything, points to Australasia adding yet another to its series of victories. There should be- little doubt as to the result of each 'of the singles, but the doubles should afford better contests. AVONSIDE WINS CHAMPIONSHIP. Avonside and St. Albans we're to have tried conclusions for the-'seeoud j time, this season, on Saturday'last, in the senior inter-club competitions. Un- : fortunately, the St. Albans players,' being without the services of 'Green-; wood, decided to forfeit,.'but; i i} underV stand that Avonside has generously,de- ■ cided to give St. Albans a return'gaiife! .to-morrow,' though, in strict conforjmty to the rules;, 'AVonside claim' the match by'' default. At 'the- eleventh I hour Opawa found it possible' to • -give: Avonside a return game, and i the two: teams were : strongly represented at : the! latter's eotirts. 'Onee' : 'agaiii'Avonside came out victorious, and it nowin s an ! unbeatable position for championship, honours. On' the previotfs Saturday, when the same' two' teams tried \ conclusions)" at sOpawajj- the''home team ran Avonside to a margin : of .two-' games. That • there .-.is very: little difference in : the players' was again demonstrated

on the occasion of their last meeting, for this time Avonside came out on top, but with only five games to the good. OLLIVIER'S DEFEAT. Taken all round, the play was the best seen so far in the competition. Quite the surprise of the afternoon's play was Seay's defeat of Ollivier. Both players were right on their game, and a better display of accurate, forceful driving has seldom been seen on I the Avonside courts. Seay 's remarkable activity enabled him to get back many shots that looked like certain scorers, and his volleying,!and serving Showed a decided improvement in accuracy. Altogether, Seay's display was full of*merit, and stamps him as one of the most improved players in the competition. Ollivier has shown to better advantage in : " previous matches, but, even so, his play was of a high standard. Time after time he just missed the side lines with passing shots, any of which would have scored with the least luck. Wilding surprised the onlookers by the easy manner in which he accounted for Sheppard. The Opawa player gave a glimpse of his very best form, and on the day he would have taken a lot of beating. He kept a remarkably good length, and outplayed his opponent at every point of the game. Without wishing to detract from the merits of his achievement, it nnist be admitted that Sheppard was right off his game, and seemed to be suffering from some sort of tennis "hoodoo." , The game between Sands' and Lyons was a decidedly tame affair, both players being disinclined to hit. Sands's driving was lamentably weak, but he was more accurate at theViaet than his younger rival. 1 V Y Thomas showed a retiirn. Ip his best form by completely outplaying O'Conrieil, his greater variety of scoring shots keeping the Opawa player almost tinually on the defensive. O 'Connell is weak in all departments excepting a serviceable forehand drive, on which he relies almost entirely to make his win- x ning shots. LINWOOD WIN AGAINST .: 'VARSITY, 'Varsity again went down before Lin-, wood. So far this season'the former club has failed to secure a victory. Still, there has been a pleasing all-round improvement in the form shown by the team, which augurs well for. future seasons. • " Gotz put.jip his best achievement this season by defeating Goss tOthe tune of 9-3. The i'Varsity man's activity and pace had' his older opponent in difficulties all through, and he, was accurate, in liis driving.' On:his recent form, Gotz is sure to take a*'nigh place in next season J s championships) for he ■ has youth on his: side, and is; improving. Avith every game. , I SLAZENGER. ; ;