A TENNIS GENIUS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 259, 1 November 1932, Page 13

A TENNIS GENIUS.

PLAY OF H. -E. VINES.

BRILLIANT AMERICAN TEAM,

EXHIBITION AT STANLEY. STREET,

H. Ellsworth Vines, star of the American Davis Cup team which is passing through Auckland on its way to Australia, showed crowded, galleries at Stanley Street courts yesterday afternoon shots which won him the title of-world champion. The other members of the teaui. VViliner Allison, John Van ißyn ' and Keith Gledhill contributed to "an afternoon of highly interesting exhibition tennis.

Jfcpre were periods during the play of bofclT singles and doubles in which the Americans produced dazzling tennis, but it was. obvious all through that they were not extepding themselves. Mistakes Were made, even by the champion, but that was to be expected in view of the fact that the players stepped off the Aorangi when she berthed at 2.15 p.m. and went straight on to the courts.

Strokes executed with brilliant technique, a service of amassing pace and accuracy, a dazzling back-hand passing shot, a peculiar chop forehand drive that ivas always a puzzle to the receiver, anticipation that was uncanny and superb control over the ball—this was Vines. The ■tall nonchalant American, moving slowly round the court, has been acclaimed by Wallis Myers and other leading critics of England as the greatest player of all time. He showed control of the tennis ball just •ns Lirdrum shows quiet ball dominance bn the billiard table. There was a subtlety in his play that Aucklanders have never seen before, there was artistry in all he did —genius peeped through with every attack. His play was 'effortless and graceful. Perhaps the most spectacular player of the quartet and the one who brought off more sensational and surprise shots than any of the others was John Van Ryn. Drives on either hand that shot past with 'amazing pace, a serve that shot along the ground like a "grubber," and a care-free court manner soon won Van Ryn popularity with the crowd. In his singles with Gledhill was obviously far below form, tar.tics, and when in difficulties changed his plan of attack in bewildering style. Gledhill was obviously far wbelow form. He played many pretty shots but was erratic. He has a spin service that bounces high. Van Ryn won the match, 6—4. Cunning Court Craft. The exhibition of Vines and Allison was alternately brilliant and ragged. Vines eased .up half way through, allowing Allison to draw level, and the game ended with the scores at seven all. Vines served consistently well; in fact, this was one of the most impressive features of his play. Occasionally he dazzled* with a brilliant American reverse serve which was almost unplayable. Allison showed cunning court-craft, and won the admiration of the crowd by standing almost inside the base-line to take the terrific serves of Vines and hit the rising ball.

The brightest and best play was provided in the doubles.' Here on the one side, Allison and Van Ryn, were the foremost doubles team in the world, champions of many a Davis Cup battle, and opposed to them were tljie two youngsters, Vines and Gledhill, national doubles champions of America. The pace set was not terrific, but occasionally there was some bewildering volleying close-in. The old combination, Allison and Van Kyn, triumphed in two sets, 7—5, l>— *• They showed a perfect understanding ot each other's play, and again the shrewd tactics of Allison kept the opposition wondering. Vines obviously is essentially a singles player. All four showed a remarkable facility for driving fast serves with terrific speed, but these were ever returned by the men at' the net in a Hash. The all-round pace and . agility of tlie Americans was outstanding. Before the Americans took the court an exhibition match was played between the two Aucklanclers, A. C. Stedman and N. G. Shirt. Three sets w£re Stedman winning 0-3, 6-0, Mtf Sturt could not strike form, and was no match for the former New Zealand cliampion.

Results were:— . JjfcVan "Rvn bent TC. GledlnlL 6—4. PTE Vines and W. Allison drew, 7-aIl. Allison arid 1 Van Kyn beat Vines and Gledliill, 7-5, 6-2.