NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14238, 29 December 1911, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

FOURTH DAY'S PLAY.

The Tournament was continued yesterday morning in fino but cold weather. Tho first matches of" interest wero O'Hara "Wood v. Fisher and Ollivier v. Kidston.. In the former ganio O'Hara Wood caused some surprise by winning three straight sots; in fact, only in tlie third set was ho seriously challenged, getting home by 7to 5. Fisher appeared depressed with liis game, and never found his best form, while Wood served and volleyed consistently well. Tho result of the Ollivior-Kidston match was in doubt for somo time. Ollivier obviously worried by tho fact that ho was being foot-faulted, lost tho first set, and only just won tho second at 8 to 6. In these sets Kidston played an excellent game, placing his drives well, and whenovor ho came up to tho net doing so with effect. Ho tired somewhat, and tho last two sots went rather easily to Ollivier at 6-3 and 6-2. It was a good match to watch all through. Ollivier's cross-volleying being perhaps tho prettiest feature. In the afternoon j Ollivier faced O'Hara Wood, and a large audience —which included his Excellency tho Governor and Lauy Islington—expected a hard battle. Ollivier, however, proved to bo at the very top of his form, and took three sets in brilliant fashion. Tho winner's service was irresistible ;• ho mado tho ball jump and break in a very puzzling manner, and Wood could do littlo with it. Tho latter put up a plucky, fight, and mado a number of pretty passing shots, but ho missed too many easy ones, and on the day Ollivier carried too many guns for him. Previously Peacock had entered the final by beating Quill. Tho latter, though failing to get a set, mado a good game of it. Quill played an accurate, game, but , was not severe enough to beat a player of Peacock's calibre. '• Thero were three splendid matches in tho Ladies' Champi'-nnip. Miss Stewart beat Miss Travers after a lino match. Tho second sot was very strenuously contested. Miss Stewart volleyed well, while "Miss Travers, as usual, relied chiefly on her j hard driving; but sho did not possess her opponent's variety of strokes. Miss Hartgill very nearly beat Miss Gray. She won the first set 6-2, and lost the second 6-0. In tho last set Miss Gray almost won 6-8, but Miss Ha'rtgill pulled up to 5 all in very plucky style, and Miss Gray won tho j next two. Miss Hartgill has an excellent style, and a really terrific service and drive, and when sho steadies down a little more she will bo a force to bo reokoned with in futuro championships. Tho final proved a splendid fight. Miss Stewart led at 3-1, but Miss Gray camo up, and' took the score to 4-3 in her favour. However, Miss Stewart, volleying and placing brilliantly, won at 6-4. Miss Stewart made tho pace very warm at tho beginning of the second set, and splendid rallies followed each other in rapid succession. Both ladies volleyed and placed with great precision, when Miss Stewart led at 5-3, 40----30, tho game seemed- over, but 'Miss Gray played; with great determination, and scored on moro than one occasion with a clever lob, and 5 all and 6 all was called. The game was now» being played in a steady drizzle, and the thirteenth game was of phenomenal length. However, Miss Stewart, after being on four occasions within a point of victory, finally asserted herself, and won 6-4. 8-6. Both ladies cannot bo too highly praised for their play, and it is safe to say that, the spectators were treated to the best ladies' tennis seen, in Canterbury for many years. In tho Ladies Doubles, Miss Travers and Miss Gray disposed of Miss Stewart and Miss Wellwood fairly easily, the combination of the winners proving too Strong. Miss Wellwood played pluckily, but was not strong enough for such tried adversaries. Miss Baird and Miss' Nunneley beat Miss Simpson and Miss Buttorworth in two straight sets, Miss Baird playing even better than her moro famous partner. - . In tho match thero wero many good rallies, though J tho result was never really In doubt. In tho combineds, Rice and Mies .Williams j beat Jennings and Miss Crosse. Rice j was steady, and Miss Williams, as usual, j occasionally brilliant. Undoubtedly; Miss j Williams is at times the most brilliant lady in the competition, but she lacks the steadiness of Miss Stewart, Miss i Nunneley, Miss Travers, and Miss Gray. Peacock and Miss Simpson disposed of Ross and Miss Van Stavern without great difficulty. Unfortunately' rain" stopped play at 5 o'clock. The matches throughout had been interesting, and play, especially in th© Ladies' Singles, had been of a high order. The remainins; matches will be played to-day, beginning at 9-30 a.m. MEJTS SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Best ! of five sets; advantage acts. Present i champion/.J. C. "Peacock, "Wellington. Third Bound: O'Hara Wood beat _V M B. Fisher, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4; G. Ollivier beat Kidston, 4-6, 8-6,' 6-8, 6-1. Semi-final: J. C. Peacock beat T. E. Quill, fr€, 6-S, 6-3; G. Ollivier beat O'Hara Wood G-3, 6-2, 6-2. / " wu » LADIES' SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Beßt of three seta; advantage sets. Present champion, Miss Eva Travers, Wellington. Third Bound: Miss N. Hartgill beat Mies E. Scott, 6-2, 6-1. "■■-.- - M Semi-final: Miss P. A Stewart "beat Mies E. Travers, 6-2, 7-5; Miss A. Gray beat Miss In. Hartgill, 2-6 6-0, 7-5. . -i i r ? lll *} : „ MiBS kA- Stewart (Sydney) boat Miss A. Gray (Auckland), 6-4, 8-6. ! LADIES' DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Best of three seta; advantage sets. Present champions, Missos Eva Travers (Wellington) and B, Wellwood (Bawke's Bay). Second Bound: Misses E. M. Baird and X M. Nunneley beat Mesdamea Chisnall and Lord, 6-4, 6-0. Semi-final: Misses E. Travers and A. Gray W Umbos P. A- Stewart and D. Wellwood, 6-2, 6-1: Misses E. M. Baird and X, M fcunneley boat Misses Butterwortb and Simpson, 6-3, 6-2. COMBINED DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP Best of throe eeta; advantage sets. Present champions, Misa B. Wellwood KwaFes? ""* *" Park « <*•" J-?!?. 6?_ °° x and msa Har t g m, c Third Round: J. C. Peacock and Miss Simpson beat E. J. Boss and Miss L Van' Stavern, 0-2, 8-6; H. Eico and Miss £ Wi£ liams beat Jennings and Miss B. Cross, 6-3 G-3. '