LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 307, 28 December 1922, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS. AITXZN EXTENDS LAURENSON. AUCKLANDER WINS AT 7—5. (Special to "Star. , ), HASTINGS, Wednesday. The New Zealand lawn tennie championship tournament -was continued to««y in fine but overcast weather. The attendance of the public was large. The a*fs play wag confined to the eliminating rounds in all events. It is not expected that any eemi-flnale will be reached before Friday. In the men'e singles, prominent players remaining include Laureneon, Aitken, Robeon, the France brothers, and Peacock in the first half of the draw, and Ollivier, Greenwood, Sims, and Pearse in the eecond half. In the men's doubles, Laurenson and Ollivier, Allieon and Wallace, Peacock and Sims, Quill and Parker. France and France, and Pearse and Edmondson are still in the firet half of the draw, and Goes and Greenwood and Griffiths and Robeon are the most powerful remaining in the second half. The ladies' singles and doubles and combined doubles are not very far advanced.

The eecond day of the championships opened with a pall of gray clouds covering the eky, through which the muggy heat made the players very fatigued. Extremely hard fighting all the way marked the match between Salmond and Ait ken. Salmond, although badly beaten on the games, often gave glimpres of brilliance, but is now pact his best day. Aitken was playing very well, especially on the backhand.

Ollivier waa playing very indifferently this morning in the first set against Bray, and the ex-Otago champion held him all the way by hie well known steadiness, and the first fancy could only triumph out 7—5. In the second set Ollivier struck form, and took the set to love, when Bray retired.

Miss Lance and Sims were not in their beet form against PowdreU and Miss Ringland. Powdrell was playing well, but hi* lady partner played somewhat wildly, the pair being unable to extend the formidable combination.

Wane Pearee and Mrs. Ooldie died fighting gamely all the way, and simply refused to let Allieon and Miss Lloyd get going. Mrs. Goldie was playing fairly well, while Pearee dashed abo'it the court like a youth, bringing oft* some phenomenal ehots. Allison and Miss Lloyd left him -well alone when he was at the net, and played hard to Mrs. Goldie. They were too hot, and won out in two straight sets.

Peacock was playing well against Waddington, and although not extended the veteran covered the court quickly, his shots having plenty of sting behind them.

Miss Payton had a hard tussle to finally triumph over Miss Cato. The ldßal girl played great tennis, taking the first set comparatively easily. A neck-and-neck race ensued for the second set, Mies Payton making the back line her centre of operation. Three all, four all, and five all was called before the Auckland lady evened the sete at 7—5. Mise Cato now seemed to tire, and the Auckland lady ran up to s—o. The Hastings girl rallied somewhat, and took the next three games before MUs Payton could triumph out.

Aitken was too steady for Melody, wlio only got one game in three sets. The Wellington man found that to beat Aitken he had to go for bis shots, but they were always a trifle strong. There were several prolonged rallies, and many deuce games. Aitken is playing well.

Laureneon, the present holder, is in the third round, and was resting this morning. The 'New South Wales ladies' team (Misses Lance, Lloyd, and Gray and Mrs. Laetriles) are triumphing all along the line, and will go far in the tournament.

Bull and Mi*e Kennedy frightened Mies Gray and Griffiths. Bull was playing brilliantly, and took the first set, 7—5. Mice, Kennedy was a trifle erratic, her lobs being very short, while her net play was Hot nearly forceful enough. The New South Wales lady and the Auckland man aoon found the weak spot of the Gisborne combination, and left Bull a spectator, raining shots like hail on Miss Kennedy, winning out the next two sets.

Mrs. Lascelles, another of the New South Wales team, and her partner, Parker, were all out to beat Cuff and Mrs. Mait'p-d. Mrs. Lascelles made hard work of it in the first set, but won out after a battle royal, 7—5, B—4.

The closest battle so far wae France brothers v. Cowper and Walker in the men's doubles. The game was oliaracterieed by hard hitting throughout, and terrrfic smaehintf. Cowper wae the most erratic of the quartet, but Walker and he forced the France (brother* to 7 —5, 7 —5. A terrific marathon ensured for the third, and France and Franc* finally won out. 13—11.

Salmond and Swanston's scalps fell to Laureneon and Ollivier. In the first game the two champions shot fast placements through the Wellington pair, the game going at a fast pace. Laurenson brought off some brilliant volleys, and the pair never looked like losing a set.

G. G. Aitken, the Chrietchurch veteran, gave Laurenson his 'hardest match to date. Aitken'g play is best characterised ac steady, while Laurenson, although quieter in service and forehand, had powerful 'backhand strokes, and volleying ia hie most deadly feature. The present holder led 2—l, but Aitken gained the lead, 3—2. Laurenson agaJn came into lead at 4—3. and won the first set, 6—4. The champion was off hie deadly smash, and in the second set bungled several comparatively easy placements when he had made commanding positions. Several of the umpire's (Mr. H. G. Thompson's) decisions had been very doubtful and •perturbed Laureneon, so that line umpires we're established. Aitken took the first game in the second set off Laurenson'e service with the loss of a etroke, and the second after a treble deuce. Laurenson gained the next three games with the lose of five strokes. Aitken rallied asain, and, playing the side lines with wonderful precision, scored several fast placements past Laurenson's backhand. Evening sets at 6—4, and a neck-and-neck battle eneued for third set. Aitken held Laurenson until 5 ail, when the Matamata doctor won out, 7 —5. This had been the deciding set, and Laureiison took the next set and match comparatively easily at 6—2. Rain began to fall just after 3 p.m.. but was light until 4.30, when it grew gradually woree, »nd the light became very poor. L. France and Miss Howe took the first set easily from Oakley and Mrs. Hetley, but a marathon eneued for the second get, and both pairs played well. The redoubtable Wellington pair played on until fir* ball* were discoloured and.

the light wae becoming bad, while the grass was. slippery, finally winning a hard-fought set, 11—9. Misses Fenwicke and Knight went under to Misses McLaren and Welsh. The first-named pair could obviously have done better, but did not play well together. They let their play deteriorate | to a stonewalling competition of the | ipre-Lenglen type. They paid the, penalty of prolonged rallies, and lost the match by failing to play their customary game. The boys' and girls' championships started to-day, when some good form rwas shown by Andrews, a boy wonder from Palmerston North, while Miss Hart (Ot,ago) eeemed the pick of the girls. MiEN'S SINGiLBS. Second Round.—Molr won from Martin foy default: Waddlngton teat Fenwiek, <>-4, i 18—11. 6—l- Soiners beat Welch. 6—i. «—2, S-β. 6—2; OlUvier beat Bray. 7—5, 6—o, Bray retiring; Walla<-e beat Clark, 3—6. a—«, 4—6. 6—4, 11—«■ Field bent Richards, β-l, 6—3. 6—l- C'uft beat Miller, 6—o, 6—l. c—2; Dentou beat Kururangi, 6—3, 6—2, 6—l. Thrrd Hound. — AltUen beat Melody, β-l, 6—o. 6—o- Peacock beat Waddlngton, 6—;, 6—l. β-l.' LADIES- SINGLES. Third Round.— Mrs. Hodges beat Miss Beard, 6—O. β-l. MEN'S DOUBLES. 'Second Round.—Wallace and Allison won from Martin and Martin ny defanlt; Page and Molr beet Gerard and Kiirorangl. 6—2. 1 6—4, 6—2; Swaineon and Salmond t>eat Fen-wick and Fenwiek. 6—3. 6—2. 6—3: Powdrel) and Lami>e heat Howe and Smyth, 3—3. 6—l, 6—2. 6—2- flow and Greenwood beat Richards and Craljfie. 6—l. 6—2, 6—3; France and France beat Walker and Couper. 7—5. 7—5, 13—11. Third Round.—Peacock ana Sims beat Qnlll and Parker. 6—o. 6—2. 7—sj Laureneon and Olllvter beat Salmond and fiwalneon. c—2, 6-3. β-o. LADIES' DOUBLES. First Round.—Misses Lance and Lloyd beat Mrs. Maitland and Miss Kennedy, "~-l. 6—2: 'Misses Champion and Grant 'beat Mirnen McDonnell and Carrick. β-l. *—3; Mlnses McLaren and Welsh beat Misses Fenwiek and Knight. 10-β, 7—5: Mrs. .Peacock and Mlse Travers won from Mrs. Martin and MUs Mume hy defanlt. Second Round.—Mrs. He/tley and Mlse Clark beat Mm. Maddleon and Miss Z. Well,wood. 6—3. B—6- Mrs. Wateon and Miss Payton beat Misses Champion end «rant. 6—2. 4—6. 6—l; Misses Lance and Lloyd beat iMre. Peacock and Mlse Travers, 6—3, 6—». ■COMBINED DOUBLES. First Baird and Bundle ■won from Mrs. Martin and Martin by default; Mise Fannln and Waddlngton beat Mrs. Parkinson and Martin, 6—2. 6—2. Second Round.—Miss Lenoe and Slm« beat Miss r.ingland and Powdrell. 6—2. 6-0: Mis 3 Sinclair and Thompson beat Ml«s Clarke and Stalnton, c—l. 6—t: Miss MacFarlane and Roboon beat Miss Stevens nnd '■MHler. 6—2. β-l: Miss Oray and Griffiths beat Mlt<« Kennedy and Bull. 6—B. β-l. 6—3; Mrs. Lnsoelles and Parker beat Mrs. Maltland and Cuff. 7—."> 6—4: 3fle« Armstrong nnd Armstrong won from Mrs Wallnce anrt Dickie Tiv default- Mine Fannln ""—1 Wa<Mln*ton heat Mrs. Parkinson and Martin. 6-2. o—2: lMlrs Bnllantyne and Smith beat Miss E. Armstrong and Armstrong, β-i. 6—o. Third Round.—Ml«s Lloyd and. Allison beat Mrs. Goldie and Penree. 6— l, 6—2.