TENNIS RANKING MATCHES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 13

TENNIS RANKING MATCHES.

Miss R. Taylor Undefeated — Exciting Games In Men's Second Group.

(By HALF-VOLLEY.)

After two weeks of disappointment, ranking matches were continued last weekend when the first series of the ladies' games was completed, and a commencement made of the men's matches.

. P ie , re wer e two absentees from the [ladies contests, Miss Swanson and Miss Warren. Miss Pain Cooke had one match only in which ehe defeated Miss Hansen ® 1» . Miss Hansen suffered a turther defeat in her second match, this V" u „ e j*',*' le !wnd» of Miss Macfarlane, p—3, 6— 1 Miss Macfarlane played much better in this than in her first match when she encountered Mrs. Moree. Neither player seemed at her best, but Mrs. Morse naa a comfortable win, chiefly through the errors of Miss Macfarlane, who was unable to take advantage of the opportunities that presented themselves. Miss Cooke wnt *° ay Miss Macfarlane to complete this group, and she would be expected to emerge undefeated. In the second group Miss Ruth Tavlor came through her lour matches without defeat, beating Miss Symes, 7—5, 6—2, and Miss Wade in three sets. This was rather a surprise result, ns in view of the tact that Miss Wade could not hold Miss Hodges, it was not expected she would take a set from Miss Taylor, who had lost only one set previously to Miss Hodges. Miss M. Hodges scored two good victories over Miss Betty Potter, 6—4. B—6 and over Miss Wade. 6 —o. 6 —4. The first match between Misses Hodges and Potter produced some excellent tennis, with both players driving freely and forcibly on either wing.

I The third group failed to produce a decl- | Rive winner, as all players suffered defeat. " rs- Partridge, who played two long matches in the earlier series, wus more forceful on this occasion and uccountod for Miss Jeffries, 6—3, 7—5, and Mrs. Potter P — 4 - 7 — 5 - the latter being a good win. in view of Mrs. Potter's good showing previously. Strangely enough. Mrs. Partridge lost her only match to Miss St. Oeorge this being the latter's only win in the two nays piny. Miss Bnrk, too. emerged on this occasion with two victories over Misses Jeffries and St. George, both by the long route—three sets. The position here, there*or®. »• that Mrs. Partridge and Mrs. Potter both have three wins and one loss. Miss B. Sherlock emerges from the fourth group with three wlna and no losses. She "* 8 yet to play Miss Swanson. but she should win this match. Miss Wallace is J. 6 ." this group, her only loss being to Miss Sherlock. Miss P. Mitchell suffered two losses at the hands of these -two lastnamed playe/s. and was expocted to give more resistance to her club mate Miss Sherlock. who triumphed at 6—3. fl 2. The above matches complete the flrst series for the ladies, who will now be rearranged in four groups for the second II 1040 mat< ' hts ' co,n meicing on February

Bedford and Mayson. For the commencement of the men's matches, a splendid start was made the only absentee being M. T. Wilson, who was detained on nccount of military duties. Some splendid tennis was seen the stars being Mayson and Bedford, both of whom had two wins on the day. Bedford accounted for Pountney and Sturt in straight sets and was not fully extended at any time.' Sturt was below form, no doubt due to •ack of practice on account of unfavourable weather. Mayson played particularlv well In both of his matches, if we except the first set of his match with Pountnev. The latter started in convincing fashion and went to 3—o by accurate placing Mayson fought hard for the fourth game, with the loss of which he seemed to be .content; to let his opponent have the set at «—0". He tightened up his game thereafter, thus forcing errors from his opponent, who, however, frequently scored with clean hits and an occasional drop shot It was felt, however, that Mayson was in command, and this proved to be the case when he won the set o—4 and collected the final set 6—l.

The aecond (roup produced tome most exciting matches In which all the players played very well Indeed. Splra and Lusk came through undefeated and In so doing gave splendid exhibitions. Spira first I played the veteran Jack Harrison, who was unluck . v to lose the flrst set. in Which he had no fewer than five set points. Bplra eventually pulled the set out at B—6 tout lost the next 4—6. Harrison was at his mercy in the third set. which went to Splra at and in this set the latter played some Mplendid tennis. Spira's next opponent was Ron Lewi*, who . had previously played a long match successfully against Burns. Spira lost the second set • fter winning the flrßt comfortably and won the third at 6—4. a Just reward for his play. Lewis played good tennis In both matches, the match between him and Burns being productive of fine all-round plav. Lewis can claim the fastest service of any

player on the day. to receive which Burns was many feet behind the baseline. Lewis showed a tendency to miss on his forehand, but his forecourt play was more decisive than_ that of Burns. He had match point at o I, but failed to drive home his advantage, with the result that the match was prolonged us til the twenty-second same before he managed to clinch matters. Burns, too, played a good game in a match in which one would have liked to have seen the honours go to both players, if that were possible.

Oroup three saw Litherland win two matches fairly comfortably against Brougli and Watson. Brough defeated Koblnson in three sets in which the latter found his opponent's retrieving powers a stumbling block. I.ater against Copsey Robinson played steadier tennis to win In three sets. Copsey meantime scored a win over Watson after dropping the flrst set and winning the second and third rather easily. B. Broun and H. Boys were undefeated in the fourth group, both players defeating Mitchell, while Boys also defeated Moller, and B. Broun settled a family argument by boating his brother Alan in two sets. The latter defeated Moller in a long match of three sets in which there was little difference between the players. The men's matches will be continued on February 4.