LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 307, 27 December 1924, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS.

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS. THE OPENING DAY. BIG MUSTER OF PLAYERS. TVhen the sun broke clear in a clouj. flecked blue sky ear!}' this morning the many racquet enthusiasts in Auckland, both visiting and local, felt compensated in some measure for the keen disaji. pointment experienced yesterday, wliei the openinfr of the 1924 New Zealand lawn Tennis Championships was postponed owing to rnin. The courts feceived a thorough drenching, but nearly all were in fair condition when competi. tors befrnn to arrive at the Stanley Street courts soon after 10 a.m., and two courts, Kos. 8 and 9, in front of the two new prandetands,, were put into use immediately, when the men's singles were commenced. During the forenoon the sun wa sohscurrd at intervals, when there were light showers of rain that sent, spectators scampering for shelter. Most of those who sat on the dry patches on the stands this morning were players. Although the weather conditions were not all that many visitors had hoped for. there was little to complain of regarding the arrangements, which were attended to with the utmost care by a capable committee, the whole being under tho direction and supervision of "Mr. D. Murray Kean. of Wellington, the New Zealand Association's energetic secretary, who has directed lawn tennis championship gatherings with entire satisfaction for the past sixteen years. The two local enthusiasts, Messrs. H. G. Thomson nnd K. Hiekson, who with the secretary comprise tiie tournament control committee, worked indefiitignMy in the intereste of players, us did Mr, A. C.oldie. the honorary referee. Other local officials whose work contributed to the success of tho openins day were Messrs. 0. A. Russell, E. TV. Griffiths, A. C. Johns. Mrs. Taylor, the Misses Macfarlane, and Miss Fayton. An unfortunate incident occurred in one of tho first games played, when ,T. H. W. Sheppard, the Canterbury player, had to retire owing to the cartilage of his knee slipping. During his pame with E. D. Andrews (Palmcrston North), who was playing in his socks on account of the uncertain nature of tho green, Sheppard slipped several times, and an old trouble re-asserted itself ,8O that lie had to leave the court before the third set was commenced, his opponent having won both sets, fi—2, 6—4. Andrews was boys' champion, 1921-22. Considerable interest was displayed in the first round meeting of Robson (Remuera) and tho Christehurch 'Varsity man, Ivan Seay. The Aucklander's victory was gained in three straight sets, and after winning the first he never looked to be in difficulties. Seay, who contested the first set well, made several recoveries in tho second and third scte, but Robson's cut and pace kept his opponent chiefly on the defen- ! sive. A number of Robson's service laces were quite untouchable. The Canterbury man did not impress spectators with the pace of his strokes, and Robson's win, 7—5, 6—4. fi—4. was a clear indication of the merits of the game. Bartleet had no difficulty in gaining the victory over Peat, a Whangarei player. Both served well, but Bartleet was the more effective, and gained a win with several aces, even on his second service. Smyth, of Otago University, disposed of A. C. Johns to the time of 6—l, 8;-6, 6—l. It was k. well-contested game, the local player putting up a better figh j than the scores indicated. Long rallies I were frequent, and a number of the ' games had a long sequence of deuces. In I one game deuce was called a dozen times. 11, Doidge (Remuera) made a good stand against O. Ollivier in tne first of i the second round games, and although the Christchurch man was the winner, 6 —2, 6 — l, 7 —5, he played well, and occasionally earned applause for smart returns. Ollivier was in good form, and made full use of his overhead work. He out-<lrove. Doidge all the time, and did not a.ppcar to take the game seriously. Richardson, the Onehunga player, started off well in his first round match against Fotheringham, winning the first set—which was a deuce set—after a stern fight. Fotheringham warmed to it and struck better form in the second round, onl conceding two games to Richardson. A feature of Fotheringham's work was his volleying and smashing. Richardson made several recoveries in good etyle, but failed to maintain his form, and in the last set Fotheringham was not extended.

Peacock (Thorndon) scored a comfortable xictory over Glanvillfi (United) in the second round, the Davis Cup rep. showing to advantage in volleying and overhead work. His "placements and drives ivere useful and effective; and though filanvillo put up a gallant struggle he never appeared in trouble the Wellingtonian, who finished in three seta. o—3, 6—2, fi—l. Kaxly in the afternoon, when eight courts were in mc, the grounds pre- ; sented a bright and animated appear- ' ance with the active white-clad figures j on the courts and the vivid colours of the ladies' dresses on the stands. A I strong cross-court wind interfered with ; the play, but it had the effect of drying I the greens in fast time. Lowry (Hastings) made his first appearance in championship tennis in New . Zealand in his second -ound match with i Turner (Eden and Epsom) this afternoon. The match was watched with | keen interest, and went to four pets, although only eleven games out of a total of 32 were won by Turner. Lowry was aggressive throughout, and after losing the first, game of the match won a string of thirteen that gave him the first set, 6—l, the second to love, and a lead in the third, when Turner struck a good patch, winning three on his own j and three on Lowry's service. The [Hastings man recovered in the fourth, and won it and the match f—l 6—o, 3_6, 6—4. Results: — MEN'S SINGLES. I The following players won the first round on a bye :—u. Olllver, (Canterbury), H. Doldpp (Ur-mut'ral. K. McL. Ferkins (Wellington), OK Stevens ] (Pukckobe), .1. X. Lowry (Hustings), A. ! K. Turner (Eden and Epsom) A L. Wheeler (Martonl, J. c. Peacock (Thorndon), D. Glauville (United), L. D. Cotterill (United), L. M. Lampe (St. John's),' I A. L. France (Brougham Hill), T E. Clark , (Onehunga). W. 11. Entwis=tle (Birkcnhead), A. G. Wallace (Waverley). , First Bound.-H. 1,. Rohson (Remuera) beat I. A. Seay (Uniterii, 7—3, o—*,0 — *, 6—4; E. D. Andrews (Palmerston North) ; beat J. H. W. Sheppard (United). r —i 6 —4 (Sheppard retired): E. L. Bartlnot I (Eden and Epsom) bent .7. Tent (Whangarei). 6—l, β-l. t>—4; A. W. Sims (Hamilton) beat R. E. McGregor (Parnell), 6—l, 6—o, 6—o; E. B. W. Smyth (Otago University) beat A. C. Johns (Eden and Epsom), 6—l, B—6,8 —6, 6 —l; W. A. Fotherlngham (Remuera) beat A. E. B. Richardson (Onehunga). 3—7, 6—2, 6—3, B—4; E. W. Wright (Matamata) beat B. , S. Waters (Pukekohe). 6—3, 6—2, 6—3; iH. C. Rowlands (Onebunga) beat L. T. Donovan (Brougham Hill), 6—3, 6—o,

6—l: D. G. Prance (Brougham Hill) beat J- C. Charters (Whangarei), 6—l, 6—3, 6—2; E. M. Unison (Keinuera) beat B. H. Donovan (Brougham Hilli, 7—5, 6—3, 6—l; a. E. Jackson (Eden and Epsom) beat A. Burrows I United), 6—3, 6—l, i—6, 6—3; ». R. Johns (Eden and Epsom) beat Fl W. Martin (Masterton), 6 —4, 4—6, (j —3, 6—4; Dr. Laurenson (Matamata) beat L. T. Pickiaere (Whangarei), 4—6, 5—7, 6—l, 6—2, 6—3; L. G. Knott (Eden and Epsom) beat w. Pcarse (Teoiuka), 6—4, 3—6, 6—l, b—4. Second Bound.—OHiver beat Doidgc, 6--. 6—2. 7—3; J. C. Ppacock beat ■flanville, 6—3, o—2, β-l; Lowry beat Turner, 6—l, 6—o, 3—G, 6—l. I.adifs' Singles.—Miss M. Spiers (United) and Miss B. M. Knigbt won in the first round on a bye; Mrs. Melody (Wellington) neat .Miss Nutting (Inglewood), 6—o, 6 —l; Mrs. 8.-vllantypp (OtURO fniversity) beat Miss Nlcholls (Kemuera), G— 2, 6—-2.