HIGH-CLASS TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 243, 14 October 1925, Page 14

HIGH-CLASS TENNIS.

- PATTERSON AND HAWKES.

OPPOSED TO AUCKLANDERS

LOCAL PLAYERS' GOOD FORM.

Some excellent tennis was provided by the exhibition matches in which G. L. Patterson and J. B. Hawkes, the Australian Davis Cup players, appeared on the grass courts at Stanley Street and the hard courts at Clive Road against local players yesterday. In the afternoon, when there was a fairly large attendance, the character of the play was affected by the court being slow and dead after the recent rain, and Hawkes was the outstanding figure. His screw service was particularly effective on the soft court, and for two sets it had the local players puzzled, with the result that Hawkes and Patterson, owing 15, took the first two doubles sets against Griffiths and Brinsden, 6—2, 6—l. But in third set, when the Auckanders had got the hang of the twisting service ball, they played well together and put up a good competition, which had the Australians showing their best in doubles play to win the set B—6. Later Hawkes played highclass tennis in beating Patterson, 6— i, 6—4, in a singles match, having the advantage of getting full value for his service from a soft court on which Patterson's fast service was largely handicapped.

On ihe hard courts in the evening, when there was a much larger attendance to watch the play under electric light, the home players made a much better showing. Severe serving and driving on both sides marked a delightful singles match between Bartleet and Patterson, in which the Aucklander iook. the first set, 6—4, but was unable to sustain the pace though keeping Patterson extended to win the next two sets, 6— i, 6—4. The left-hander, Hawkes, did not appear to the same advantage on the hard courts, where his screw service was not so effective, and he seemed disconcerted by a high wind that got up as he was playing a singles match against Griffiths. On the other hand, Griffiths was at the top of his form, serving with excellent judgment in placing and variation of pace, and driving with deadly accuracy on the forehand, to win the match 6—2, 6 —3.

The most sparkling tennis of the day came in the last match, a doubles contest in which Bartleet and Robson opposed the Davis Cup pair, and which was marked by alternations of severe serves and drives, where Patterson and Bartleet got in their characteristic shots, and bright rallies of placing and volleying in which the honours were not all with the Australians. As had been obvervable throughout the series of games, Patterson has greatly improved his back-hand play since he was last here, though it is not yet anywhere near the severity and certainty of his other shots. But in the doubles he showed at his best as an all-round player, his work at the net and in the middle court showing snappiness, restraint and judgment reminiscent of O'Hara Wood in doubles. In the first set Robson had not warmed up, though he found a very effective lob for. Hawkes' screws, and Bartleet was the more prominent of the 'local men in running the Australians to 6—4. Then Robson got right on to his game, serving and driving severely, and varying his fast forehand drive with effective lobs, and Hawkes and Patterson gave a fine showing of concerted work on defence, which resulted in some bril- ; liant rallies. But with Bartleet holding his form the local pair won the set 6—4. The final set was both brilliant and exciting aa the lead alternated, but the strain told on Bartleet, and though Robson continued to play a fine game, the finished combination of the opposition turned the scale in their favour, and a win, 9—7, gave them the match.