National Tennis.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 3, 4 January 1934, Page 8

National Tennis.

CHRISTCHURCH TOURNEY.

N.Z. 1929 and 1931 Champion is Defeated.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Tile New Zealand lawn tennis championships were continued, in dull and threatening weather, with the men's singles matches postponed from yesterday as the main events on the programme. With one set in from yesterday Sproule set about in cool, confident fashion to dispose of Angas, an ex-New Zealand champion. He played a bewildering variety of shots without any apparent effort, and was evidently thoroughly fit for hard tournament play. Sproule is a warm favourite for the championship title, and to-day's performance confirmed previous impressions of- his ability. Disguise of direction and pace is his priceless asset. He was in touch from the outset. Angas secured the third set by determined fighting and consistent recoveries, never giving up, but Sproule was master again in the fourth and deciding set. The New South Welshman's angled drives and volleys were delightful. Another Australian Victory. Donohoe (Australia) was far superior to Barnett (Canterbury), whom he beat in three sets. Both players started patchily, evidently finding the court heavy after rain. Donohoe won the first set fairly decisively, 6 —3. The second set also went to Donoh6e at the same score, his superior placing being too much for Barnett. In the last set the pace set by Donohoe was altogether too hot and Barnett was continually left standing. Miss Bickerton and Miss Hall resumed their match at 4 —3 and deuce, Miss Bickerton leading after being interrupted by rain yesterday. After three more deuces Miss Bickerton led 5 —3, then took the last game of the set fairly easily. Both players started brilliantly in the second set with low skimming drives. Miss Bickerton varied her game slightly more than Miss Hall by coming to the net more frequently, but Miss Hh 11 retaliated with several severe sideline shots. Mjss Bickerton led at 4—l. but Miss Hall, by wellplaced shots on her opponent's back hand, picked up to 4—3. Miss Bickerton only won one more game in the set, Miss Hall taking it 7 —5. After hard, even fighting Miss Bickerton secured the third set 7 —5, though at one stage Miss Hall led 5—4. Miss Bickerton was the more aggressive at the finish. Results: — Men's Singles. FOURTH ROUND. C. E. Sproule (New South Wales) beat C. Angas (New Zealand 1929 and 1031 champion), 6 —3, 6—2, 3—6, (5—2. C. J. Donohoe (Australia) beat H. A. Barnett (Canterbury), G—3, 6—3, (3—l. Andrews beat Dymond, 6 —2, 6—4, 6—2. Boys' Singles. " SEMI-FINALS. J. N. Gunn (Auckland) beat C. F. Penfold (Canterbury). 6 —5, 6 —l. I. J. Corich (Canterbury) beat R. J. Rossiter (Canterbury), 6—2, 6—l. Ladies' Singles. FOURTH ROUND. Miss L. Bickerton (New South Wales) beat Miss N. Ilall (New South Wales), 6—3, 5—7, 7—5. Mrs. H.. M. Dykes (Wellington) beat Miss M. Wake (Canterbury), 3—6, 7—5, 6 —3. Ladies' Doubles. THIRD ROUND. Mist? D. Nicholls and Mrs. Melody beat Misses Marjorie and Marion Macfarlane, 2—6, 6-1, 6-0. Ladies' Plate. FIRST ROUND. Miss D. E. Scott beat Miss S. Goss, B—o. 11-9. Miss Smithson beat Miss Reese, 6 —o, 6—l. Girls' Singles. FINAL. Jessie Burns (Wellington) beat Joan Senior (Christchurch), 6—3, 6—4. Men's Plate. SECOND ROUND. E. A. Ronssell beat D. F. Glanville, 5—7, 6—4, o—4. R. Rhodes-Williams beat E. Fouliy, 6—2. 6—3. E. L. Bartleet beat K. W. Walton, 6—l, 3—o, 6—3.