THRILLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 260, 2 November 1935, Page 3 (Supplement)

THRILLS.

Young Americans.

COLOURFUL PLAY.

DELIGHTFUL TENNIS. World Champions at Stanley Street —Norman Brookes and F. J. Perry—Tribute to N. G. Sturt. A tenuis mast'jr of a generation that has gone and the dynamic personality of the world tennis champion of to-day combined to treat spectators at the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association's Stanley Street Courts this afternoon to brilliant exhibitions of the game. Norman E. Brookes, the Australian tennis genius of a few years ago, was scheduled to oppose in doubles F. J. Perry, whose artistry and skill won hi'ui the Wimbledon title again last year and helped in a largs measure to retain the Davis Cup for Great Britain.

The exhibitions, prayed in ideal conditions, were perhaps the most colourful that Auckland has known. More colour, if more were needed, Was added by the appearance of the hard-hitting Miss Joan Hartigan, Australian champion, and semi-finalist at Wimbledon last year. Cheers For Brookes. In crowd enthusiasm, the veteran Brookes overshadowed the brilliant Perry. Here was a grey-haired man whom the hundreds present had seen 15 yeat'3 ago, had seen his genius, had applauded his skill. In the years that have gone Brookes naturally has lost his speed, but not iris tennis brain. Partnered by the present world champion Perry, this star of the past quickly won the admiration of the crowd. Despite his age and his inability to move with the agility of Perry, Brookes and Perry played their way to victory in the first set at 0-3. All eyes were on Brookes all the time. The spectators appreciated him even when he missed a.shot. Here was the Brookes they used to know, the Brookes with his flat-topped racquet, the Brookes with his inevitable grey cap, the Brookes with the determination that made him a champion written all over his face. Much Amusement. The gafne itself between Brookes and Perry and N. iL Sturt and M. T. Wilson provided more amusement than good tennis. But it was ft delight to watch. Here was a left-handed Brookes occasionally outwitting the young and enthusiastic Aucklanders. There Perry was playing an amazing volley, angled so deeply that nobody could have reached it. Brookes served a surprisingly, fast first ball and a second that carried considerable "kick." The visitors carried off the lirst set at o—3.

Then, to the delight of the crowd, Stmt and Wilson got right oil to their game and started to harass the visitors by lobbing over the head of Brookes and making Perry run. Sturt played steadily and carefully. Wilson was a mixture of brilliance and mediocrity. The Atieklnnders, applauded for their every shot by the crowd, went to n. 4—2 lead. The light was on. Perry was brilliant. Four-three was called, but time beat the visitors. To the great disappointment of the spectators, is was announced that the Visitors must rush to catch the Ltirline. They left the courts amid applause. Perry v. Sturt. Cheers greeted F. J. Perry and'N. G. Sturt as they walked on to the court for the first match of the afternoon. Injured in his match with Wilmor Allison when he lost the American title at Forest Hills, Perry was playing bis lirst tennis since then^-against the advice of doctors who told Perry not to play for another month.

On a perfect court that was a tribute to the ground superintendent, Mr. E. W. Griffiths, and those under him, the players had a long "warm up." Perry, displaying all the old delightful court mannerisms that Atieklnnders know, was, nevertheless, obviously nursing himself and it was plain that he had not fully recovered from his injury. To ( the delight of the crowd Sturt took the first two games. Perry had made many mistakes and Sturt soon had a 3—l lead. Perry now started to assert himself. Artistry peeped through, but his brilliance was only occasional and he was still missing many shots. Sturt went quietly ahead to win the first set at o—4. It had been a set of spasmodic brilliance on the part of both players, but the big crowd cheered in appreciation.

Although Sturt was playing fairly soundly, Perry was settling down now and he was soon playing so well that whenever he was in difficulties he could win a point with comparative ease. Perry knew Sturt's weakness—his backhand—and whenever the Englishman wanted a point he played to the Aucklander's backhand and won it through Sturt's mistakes.

Always Perry had the iuatch under perfect control. On the rare occasions that Perry went to the net, he killed loose stuff with severity. His agility close in was a delight. He played amazing angle shots on either hand, he volleyed and half-volleye.d with, consummate artistry and he drove with unerring accuracy to win the second set at G—3.

Good as he had been, Perry displayed the best tennis of the match.in the third set. He did not reach the heights that Aucklanders have seen him reach, but there were enough dazzling flashes to delight the crowd. Sturt fought gallantly, going for every shot with confidence, but always Perry was just a stroke too good and he ran out a winner, 4—G, G—3, G—3.

Joan Hartjgan's Match. Losing the first two games in her match against the Australian champion, Joan Hartigan, the Auckland champion, Miss Marjorie Macfarlane, won the next two games and then kept level to lose 7 —5, after an exciting game.

Play began dully with a number of misjudged shots from both, but it soon speeded up to steady hard, hitting games. Miss Hartigan, though lacking the consistently clean shots which usually characterise her game, worried Miss Macfarlane with her terrific fore-hand drives. There was little between them for the first ten games ami the score was five all. Then Miss Hartigan spurted to win the next two games after a series of sparkling shots. The second set began with game for game, neither having the advantage of more than one game until Miss Haiti - gan won the .eighth game, 5 —3. A gruelling game followed, Miss Macfarlane struggling to save the match. Again, and again the score returned to deuce and neither seemed able to maintain the pace for three points. Finally, Miss Hartigan's persistent drives decided the issue and she won the match, 7—5, o—3.

Unknown to the crowd who were watching the exhibition matches, the two young American players, P. P. Blanchard and N. S. Tilney, played a practice match on No. 0 court. Both are ranked in the first .20 players in America and they enjoyed fast, evenlycontested games together, with nobody to applaud the more brilliant shots. Their standard was a long way ahead of that of many of New Zealand's leading players. Players Welcomed. At the- conclusion of the women's singles Mr. Percy Harrison, president of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, officially welcomed the visitors. The name of Norman Brookes, he said, was a household word in the tennis world, and it was with great pleasure that he welcomed the former Australian and world's champion. Although Mr. Brookes' playing days were over, he was still an outstanding figure in tennis, for he had been president; of the Australian Lawn Tennis Association for Several years, and had captained the Australian Davis Cup team on. their quest of the trophy last year. "His enthusiasm for tennis and the great good that he has done the game will be a lasting monument to him the world over," Mr. Harrison said. "Wo regard Perry as an old friend," continued Mr. Harrison. "He was here twelve months ago, and in the meantime ho has retained his title as world champion. I am sure that everyone in the Empire is proild that England lias regained the highest place in the tennis world, and Perry contributed largely to her success." Four years ago Miss Joan Haritgan won the New Zealand championships at Auckland, and those who saw her predicted for her great things,, said Mr. Harrison. Ho hoped that she would yet attain the- world's greatest tennis honours. It was lf> years since he had played in Auckland, said Mr. Norman Brookes, and he was pleased to have the opportunity to appear again here. He referred briefly to his scheme of zoning for the Davis Cup, and said that it Would be a great advantage to New Zealand players. "Norman Titurt compares more than faVoilrbly with the average players I have seen in Europe and America," said Mi'. Brookes amid a burst of applause. Results: — F. J. Perry (England) beat N. G. Sturt (Auckland), 4—o, o—3, o—3. Miss Joan Hartigan (Australia) beat Mi6S Marjorie Macfarlane (Auckland), 7—5, o—3. P. J. terry and N. E. Brookes won the first set from N. G. Sturt and M. T. Wilson, o—3. The Aucklanders led 4—3 in the second set, when the visitors had to leave to catch the Lurline.