TENNIS THRILLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 261, 4 November 1935, Page 13

TENNIS THRILLS.

COLOURFUL DISPLAY. TWO WORLD CHAMPIONS. PERRY AND BROOKES. A tennis master of a generation that has gone and the dynamic personality of tho world tennis champion of to-day combined to treat spectators at the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association's Stanley Street courts on Saturday afternoon to brilliant exhibitions of the game. Norman E. Brookes, the Australian tennis genius of a few years ago, played in doubles with F. J. Perry, whose artistry and skill won him the Wimbledon title again last year and helped; in a large measure to retain the Davis Cup for Great Britain.

The exhibitions, payed 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 tho hundreds present had seen 15 years ago, had seen his genius, had applauded his skill. In the years that have gone Brookes naturally has lost his speed, but not his tennis brain. Partnered by the present world champion Perry, this star of the past quickly won the admiration of tho 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 6-3. 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, tho Brookes with the determination that made him a champion written all over his face.

Much Amusement. The game itself between Brookes and Perry and N. G. Sturt and M. T. Wilson provided more amusement than good tennis. But it was a 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 oil the first set at 6—3.

Then, to the delight of the crowd) Sturt and Wilson got right on 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 Aucklanders, applauded for their every shot by the .crowd, went to a 4—2 lead. Tho fight was on. Perry was brilliant. Four-three was called, but time beat the visitors. To' the great disappointment . of the spectators, it was announced that the visitors must rush to catch the Lurline. 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 tho first match of the afternoon. Injured in his match with Wilmer Allison when he lost the American title at Forest Hills, Perry was playing his first 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 Aucklanders 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 6 —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 match 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-volleyed with consummate artistry and he drove with unerring accuracy to win the second set at 6 —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—6, 6 —3, 6—3.

Although the Australian champion, Miss Joan Hartigan, was not playing her usual clean, consistent shots in her match with Miss Marjorie Macfarlane, the games did not lack bright play from both. Miss Macfarlane played vigorously only losing the first set at 7 —5. The second set went G —3 to the Australian champion, the Auckland girl making her opponent fight hard for I every point. Results:— P. J. Perry (England) beat N. G. Sturt (Auckland), 4—6, 6—3, 6—3. Miss Joan Hartigan (Australia) beat Miss Marjorie Macfarlane (Auckland), 7—5, 6—3. P. J. ferry and N. E. Brookes won the first set from N. G. Sturt and M. T. Wilson, 6—3. The Aucklanders led 4—3 in the second set, when the visitors had to leave to catch the Lurline. AUCKLAND* ASSOCIATION. HARD COUKT CONTESTS. Results of Saturday's hard court tennis matches:— SECOND GRADE. Pukeroa beat University by eight rubbers to one. THIRD- GRADE. Fairholm beat Ranui by seven rubbers to three. FOURTH GRADE. Aotea beat Ngataringa by 14 sets to 11 (five rubbers apiece). Mount Eden beat Nicholson Park by ten rubbers to nil. West End beat Unity by six rubbers to three (one unfinished). .Milford beat Melrose Park by 13 sets to II (five rubbers apiece). New Lynn beat Bayfield by seven rubbers to three. FIFTH GRADE. Fergusson Park and Ngataringa drew, four rubbers each. Result depends on two mixed doubles still to be played. MOUNT ALBERT CLUB. The Mount Albert Tennis Club's season was officially opened on Saturday afternoon by the president, Mr. A. C. Stevens, in the presence of 150 members. Mr. Stevens said that Sunday play was to be introduced this season. The Mayor of Mount Albert, Mr. R. Ferner, also spoke and Mrs. Ferner served the first ball. Progressive tournaments were won by R. Wharfe and Miss B. Lee. ONEHUNGA PRESBYTERIANS. The official opening of the Onehunga Presbyterian Tennis Club took place on Saturday afternoon with a good attendance of members and visitors. The court -was declared open by the Rev. L. McMaster, president, and the first ball was served by Mrs. McMaster. Games in which representatives of the youth cabinet and board of managers joined were played for the rest of the afternoon.