NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14237, 28 December 1911, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

THIED PAY'S PLAT.

(Br OUB SPECIAL CONTRIBCTOE.)

Intense interest was again manifested in tho Men's Doubles Championship. Tho two matches in the third round went as was anticipated, Wertheim and Kidston being too good for Borrows and O'Hara Wood, though tho leaders made an excellent fight of it. Peacock and Fisher again were somewhat better than Ollivier and Jennings. Peacock's service seemed to bo very puzzling, and the winners played a more experienced game. Ollivier started off extremely well, and tried tremendously hard to save the second sot. He and Jennings managed to 6ecuro the third, but they had then shot their bolt. It was hoped, that the winners would put up a pretty good fight against the Americans, but this they wore quite unable to do. The Americans utilised tho strong cross wind by constant lobbing. Beals Wright lobbed in tho most beautiful way possible, and his cross shots, both with and against the wind, wore the perfection of clever accuracy. McLoughlin, too, played excellently, and kept bringing down the house. One of his lightning serves bounded over the heads of the spectators, and when ho did once allow a high lob to drop, he smashed back the return with amazing force. But what are wo to say about Brookes and Dunlop'd match against Wertheim and Kidston. Making every allowance for the very natural stage fright from wliich Wertheim suffered, the score of 18 games to 1 in a match in which Kidston was engaged is a marvellous tribute to the prowess of our Davis Cup pair. In the Singles, Brown was unablo to take a set from Fisher, or Harman from Peacock, and Quill, by excellent play, qualified for the semifinal. Peacock is certain to figure in the final, but Ollivier, to get there, has to defeat Kidston and Fieher, and tho latter is always very hard to beat. In tho Ladies' Singles Miss Williams retired, reserving herself for the Doubles. She was suffering greatly from rheumatism. Miss Travers, by defeating Miss Butterworth, qualified for tho semi-final. Her optxment was in good form, but Miss TTavers's persistent accuracy was too much for her. Miss Goodman, in her match against Miss Nunnoley, ehowod what a good fighter she is in a losing match. She fed hor opponent's back hand with great assiduity, and got in her woll-known forehand drive across the court with great judgment. In tho next round Miss Nunneley succumbed to Miss Gray, of Auckland, after an exceedingly hard and well-contested match. Miss Nunneley .was unfortunate enough to hurt her foot rather badly, and neither tho court nor the wind could have suited her game. Wo, should havo preferred seeing her going into court under more favourable tennis conditions, as it is well-known that she has been, in particularly good form this season. In tho ladies' doubles Miss Travers and Miss Gray make an excellent pair, they were a good deal too good for Miss Williams and Miss Hartgul, who were, however, the popular favourites, owing io their attractivo style. Miss Williams was excellent at tho net, and Miss Hartgill drove and served amazingly hard, but tho victors were too steady for them, and. more reliable. Miss Butterworth and Mass Sinrj>son played excellent tennis, and got into the 3rd round. In the combined doubles a beautiful match was played between Rice and Miss AVilliams against Quill and Miss Baird. Quill was in excellent and so was\ Miss Williams. Rico gave her endless openings, of which 6ho took tho fullest advantage and showed what a beautiful gamo can be mado of tho combined when the lady can play her full part at the end. The score, 14 games to 10, shows how excellently Quill and Miss Baird combined against a really firstclass pair. All tho semi-finals and finals are likely to prove exceedingly welloontesied and interesting events. The following are the results:— MEN'S SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Beet Jof five acts; advantage gets. Present champion, J. C. Peacock, Wellington. First round: O'Hara Wood boat W. Shonpard, 6-2, G-2, G-4 Second round: Kidstcji walked over from S. Upton; F. M. B. Fiaher beat H. W. Brown, 8-6, 6-2, 6-3; O'Hara Wood beat L. Bonnington, 6-3, 6-4, 8-6; T. K. Quill beat G. G. AKken, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5. Third round; J. C. Peacock beat R. D. Harman, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4,; T. R. Qnill oeat H. Morpcth, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3. LADIES' SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Beat of three sets; advantage eels. Preeonfc champion, Miaa Eva Travcre, Wellington. Second round: Miss K. M. Nunneley beat Miss E. Goodman, 6-4, 6-2; Miss N. Harteill beat Mrs J. C. Lord, 6-1, 6-0; Miss E Travers beat Miss E. M. Baird, 6-1, 4-G, 6-2 Miss E .Soott beet Mis 3A. L. Brewstcr, 6-2, 7-5; Mies M. Butterwcrth walked over from Miss L. Williams. Third round: Miss E. Travers beat Miss M. Bufterworth, 6-3, 6-3; Miss A. Gray beat Miss K. M. Nunneley, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. MEN'S DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP. B«et of five sete; advantage sets. Present champions, F. M. B. Fisher and J. C. Peacock, Wellington. . Third round: Wertneim ana Kidston Leat Borrows and O'Hara Wood, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5. F. M. B. Fisher and J. C. Peacock beat G Ollivier end Jennings, 4-6, 11-9. 7-5, 6-2. Scmil final: Brookes and Dtuilop beat Wertheim and Kidston, 6-0. 6-0, 6-1; Wright and llcLoughlin beat Fisher and Peacock, 6-3, 6-3, LADIES' DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Best of three sets; advantage sets. sent champions, Misses Eva Travers Wellington, and R. Wellwo'od, Hawke's . - BaySecond round :• Misses Buttorworth and Simpson beat Misses Moleswortli and Greonfield, 6-3, 6-4; Misses Travers end Gniy beat Misaes Williams and Hartgill, G-4, 6-3. COMBINED DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Best of threo sots; advantage sets. Pieeerrt champions. Miss R. Wellwood Hawke's Bay, and H. A. Parker, Now South Wates. First round: Kidston and Miss A. Gray beat F. P. Wilson and Miss Greenfield 6-0 6-4. ' ' Second round: E. J. Ross and Miss L. Van Stavern beat Pinfold and Mis 3 E Scott ! 6-0, 6-3; H. W. Brown and Mis<t K. M.' Nnnneley beat Oliphant and Mrs Sose, 6-lj 6-3; Jennings and Miss B. Cross beat Laiup'o and Miss Turton, 6-2, 7-5; Kidrton and Miss Gray walkod over from A. W. Dunlop and Mis 3 Wellwood; H Rice and Miss L. Williams beat T. R. Quill and Miss F M Baird, S-6, 6-4. '"