LAWN TENNIS

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 205, 28 August 1909, Page 14

LAWN TENNIS

News comes from America that Beala C. Wright will not play lawn tennis again for some time to come. His father has given it out that his son has not been in the best of health since his touch of sunstroke whilst in quest of the Davis Cup in Australia, and business interests have to be considered, Mr. Wright, sen., hag strong hopes that Beals will eventually re-enter the game, but at the moment it looks very much like America having to do without his services in the Davis Cup this year. It is, perhaps, partly on account oi this that the United States L.T.A. has doubts of being able to send a team to Australia in the event of beating the British Isles.

Though H. A. Parker failed to put in an appearance at the North London tennis meeting, Australasia was represented, both iS. N. Doust and L. O. S. Poidevin figuring in tb,e tournament. They were both knocked out quite early in the Gentlemen's Singles, but in partnership captured the Open iDoublea, vanquishing in the final round Roper Barrett and Beamish. Victory went to the Australian pair by 2 sets to 1 and 10 games to 13, the scores being 4—6, 6—3, 6—4 in their favour. Concerning their -win, the "Daily Telegraph" critic says: "Poidevin and Doust are to be congratulated on a sequence of good performances. There are no ' fireworks ' about this Australian pair; they do not force the pace or hit very vigorously. But their tactics are eminently sound and judiciously varied, while Poidevln's subtle back-hand strokes off tho ground and his partner' 3 cross volleys yield openings that arp rarely neglected. Given more sting overhead, this combination, characterised by much finesse, would be very difficult to beat."

Doust and Bliss D. O. Adams divided tho Mixed Doubles with R. S. Barnes and Mies Paston, the final having- to •be abandoned owing to rain.