WEARING THE END.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 5, 7 January 1927, Page 5

WEARING THE END.

AUCKLAND TENNIS TOURNEY.

FINALS TO-MORROW AFTERNOON. BRIGHTER PLAY THIS MORNING. Brishter play was seen at the Stanley Street courts this morning, when the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association's annual championship tournament was continued under grey skies. Players were apparently more accustomed to the slippery condition of the courts than they were early in the week, and matches generally Vere fought out with greater confidence. There was a lot of sliding and slipping, especially among the men, and a fair number of competitors played with feet enmeshed.

All matches save the finals should be completed this afternoon if the rain holds off. It is proposed to play the finals tomorrow afternoon, commencing at 1.30 o'clock. In the event of heavy rain tomorrow,' it may be impossible to finish the tournament, since a number of competitors who have fought their way into the concluding stages have either to return to their homes in districts outside Auckland, or to fulfil engagements in other centres.

Taking into account the fact that Mrs. Scott-Watson has had little or no singles play this year, she made quite a commendable showing against the national championship runner-up, Miss Speirs (Cliristchurch) in the third round, when she went down after a good fight, 2—6, 6 —l, 2—6. Though the ex-champion was never really extended, she had to produce gome of her best strokes to beat Mrs. Scott-Watson, who played in her most vigorous style.

Miss Colebrook fought Miss Lowry all the way in her third round match, and, had she possessed greater staying power and speed, she would undoubtedly have won her way into the next round. As it was, the Hawke's Bay lady beat the Aucklander by sheer force. Miss Lowry put plenty of pace on her balls and forced her opponent out of position with powerful drives.

Miss Knight scored an easy thirdround victory, 6 —2. 6—2, when she met Miss Ramsay. The winner was superior in all departments of the game. Brinsden came strongly in his thirdround match against Vic. Johns, and took the match with the loss of only three games. Close followers of Brinsden's work say that it is better than ever. In this match, which was fought out at a good fast clip all the way, Brinsden was killingly accurate, his overhead work being very pretty. Johns made a big effort to save" but was outgeneralled.

Chisholm beat Robinson after a more or less colaurless match, which was in no way spectacular, though both played steadily.

Tom" Clark, who surprised everyone by his defeat of the New Zealand representative, Griffiths, yesterday afternoon, had another good win this morning, when he beat P. E. Potter, S —o, fi—2. Making good use of his reverse service, Clark had the match in hand from the start. He beat Potter with slick shots to the corners, and occasionally sneaked one over the net to advantage. Potter, who was not below form, was forced into errors by Clark's pace. Greater experience in singles play and superior courterafc won the match for Sims when he met E. K. Turner. Tllough

the last-named did not spare himself, and went after everything, Sims carried the heavier guns, and outplaced and outdrove Turner all through, to win, 6—2, 6—2. Bartleet Has Close Call. E. L. Bartleet had a close call in his match with H. Brinsden. whom he beat 4—o, 6_;j, 7—j. Brinsden led at 5—3 in the last set, and was within a point of winning the match. Bartleet rallied, however, and, playing carefully, and at. times brilliantly," he won four games in a row. By far the best tennis was seen in the "first set, which Brinsden won at fi —J. Both players gave a good all-round display, and" although they were troubled by the use of balls not generally used in championship tennis.

their driving was good and they were volleying well. In the second set both olayers maintained nice length, but occasionally they came into the service base, where rapid exchanges were seen, Bartleet usually finishing the rallies with a brilliant forehand shot to the corner. Brinsden was unable to get into position for overhead work, and most of his' points were scored by swift forehand strokes, passing Bartleet djwn the side lino. It was three-all in the last set before any really bright tennis was seen. Brinsden was still keeping good length, and Bartleet began to miss things. When the score stood at o—3, advantage server (Brinsden serving), Bartleet made a brilliant effort. He came in to the net to finish a long rally with a clean placement to the side lines. His volleying was sound, and he drove Brinsden all over the court. He had Brinsden chasing up and down the base line, and forced his opponent into many errors. Bartleet took four games in a row,

taking set and aatch. It was a. close call for Bartleet, but was another demonstration of Ms fighting qualities.

In the semi-finals of the ladies' singles Miss Speirs beat Miss B. Witherou- 13 —2, 6—l, as easily as she defeated iliss Bvgate in the second round. Miss Witherow was not equal to the ex-champion's pace, and was outclassed in all departments. In the final Miss Speirs will meet the winner of the match between Miss Lowry and Miss Knight. Bartleei plays Nicholson, and Sims plays Clark, iu the semi-finals or the men's singles. Bartleet and Robson will be pitted against Entwistle and Watkins in the semi-final of the men's doubles. In the other semi-final Brinsden and Griffiths will play the winners of the match between Clark and Eowlands and the •Johns brothers. Sims and Miss Knight entered the semi-final of the combined doubles bv reason of a bye from Field and Miss McPherscn, Field being unable to remain longer in Auckland. Clark Plays Great Game. Clark beat the Johns Bros, with little or no assistance from his partner, Rowlands, in the third round. He plaved great tennis and was seemingly unable to go wrong. Slashing everything with terrific force, the ball bounciug over the heads of the Johns combination, he dominated the match and set frequent traps for his opponents. Both the Johns were a little off form, and at times neither seemed to know what the other was about to do. Rowlands played without sting, though he brought off an occasional good smash. Clark and Rowlands won 7—5, 6—S, (J—2. Details of the play are as follow!^ME.YS SINGLES. Third Round.—Chisholm beat Robinson, 6—-it 6 —3 ; Brinsden beat V. R. Johns, U—o, 6—3. Fourth Round.—Sims beat Turner, 6—2, C—2: Clark beat P. E. Potter, S—6, 'i—2. Nicholson boat Chisholm, 6—2, 6—2. Bartleet beat lirinsden, 4—6, 6—3, T—3. LADIES' SINGLES. Third Round.—Miss Knight beat Miss Ramsay, fi—2, C —2; Miss Speirs beat Mrs. Scott-Watson, 6—2, 4—6, 6—2 ; Miss Lowry beat Miss Colebrook, 6—4, 3 —6, 7—3. Semi-final. Miss Speirs beat Miss B. Witherow 6—2, 6—l. Miss B. Knight (Auckland) beat Miss M. Lowry (Hawke's Bay), 6—2, 6—l. Miss Knight' meets Miss May Speirs (Canterbury) in the final. MEN'S DOUBLES. Third Round. Entwistle and Watkins beat Plckmere and Powdrell, 6—3, 6—l. Third Round.—Entwistle and Watkins beat Pickmere and Powdrill. 6—3. 6—l. Clark and Rowlands beat V. R. and A. C. Johns, 7—3, 6—S, 6—2. Semi-final. Bartleet and Robson beat Entwistle and Walkins, 7—3. 7—3, 7 —5. COMBINED DOUBLES. Second Round. Clark and Miss Miller beat Watson and Miss Colebrook, 6—3, 4—6, 6—3. Sims and Miss Knight beat Pickmere and Mrs. Arneil 6—l, 6—o. Second Round.—Griffiths and Miss Lowry beat Lamb and Miss Napier, §—6, 3—6, 6—4: Entwis,tie and Miss B. Witherow beat A. E. McKeown and Miss Knott, 6—3, 6—2. Brinsden and Mrs. Scott-Watson beat J. A. F. Watson and Miss C'olbrook, 6—2, 6 —4. i Third Round. Griffith? and Miss Lowry beat Ohlson and Mrs. Robson. li—3, 6—4. Sims and Miss Knight won from Field and Miss McPherson by default.