TENNIS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7812, 3 June 1909, Page 3

TENNIS.

EXHIBITION BY WELL-KNOWN : PLAYERS.

ANTHONY WILDING ON ASHBURTON COURTS.

To-day was a red-letter day m the history of local tennis, the occasion being a visit from one of the world's finest players, Mr Anthony Wilding, who, with his father and brother ana other leading Christchurch players—including ,Mr AY. Pearse (provincial champion) and Mr Or. F. Ollivier —gave, m conjunction with the foremast members of the Ashburton Lawn Tennis Club, an exhibition of first-class tennis, such as has not been seen m Ashburton before. The exhibition, which was under the auspices of the Ashburton Club, and was held on the Baring Square Club's courts m Cameron Street, a charge being made for admission, was given with a view to encouraging the playing of the game as a winter pastime, and from the interest taken it is probable that the desired end will be reached- Play commenced about 11 o'clock, and morning and afternoon tea was served. The attendance was not very good m the forenoon, but m the afternoon there were many keenly interested spectators present. Anthony • Wilding arrived on the grounds at about 11.30 a.m., and shortly afterwards a practice set was arranged m order that he should " get his eye in.'.' The champion and F. Anderson (Christchurch) faced AY. Pearse (Christchurch) and K. ltollitt, and though AVilding did not take things very seriously, the power and style of his strokes were very noticeable. Two sets were played, the scores being 6-0 and 6-3. Immediately before the luncheon adjournment A. AVilding and AY. Pearse took.the court, and those present witnessed some very pretty play. Pearse, as the provincial champion, was perhaps the best match for AA Tilding present, but, except m the first game, m which Wilding opened somewhat lamely, Pearse had absolutely no chance against him. The Christchurch player has any amount of stamina and energy, and played hard, but the absence of practice m first-class work due to the lack of better , players made all the difference. AVilding served very hard, screwing his balls either way, and hitting all his strokes on top, instead of under: that is, he met all the balls as they came up, instead of when they were falling away, as is the usual practice. He used the American serve, and m this connection, jiiiade a great impression on all who witnessed his play. Two sets were played, the figures being 6-3, 6-2. During the progress of this match, F. S. AVilding (Christchurch) and J. McLeod tried conclusions, three sets being played with the following results: 3-6, 6-0, 6-3. Wilding did not get into his stroke during the first set, and McLeod was able to beat him without much effort, but afterwards thd local man went-off, with the result seen. AVilding was very strong m his forehand strokes, but rather weak m his back ones. Like his brother, he used the American service with excellent results. McLeod scored ill righthand strokes and running up, but want of condition told on his play severely. Earlier m the day P. AVilding and P. H. Cox had tried conclusions, the former winning—6-2. The only, other match played during the morning was a doubles game, F. AVilding, senior, and G. Olliver (Christchurch) v. P. H. Cox and J. McLeod. The local men lacked combination, and the Christchurch pair had no trouble m making the opening set a love one (6-0), though m the second they/ did not have things so much their own way, the score being 6-4. The afternoon matches, up to 4 o'clock, resulted as follows: Anthony and F. AVilding v. AY. Pearse and J. McLeod, 6-3, 6-2. F. Anderson (Christchurch) v. G. AA'hitehouse, 6-4.