TENNIS TITLES.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19198, 3 January 1928, Page 8

TENNIS TITLES.

DOMINION TOURNEY. TRIUMPH FOR CANTERBURY OLLIVIER AND MISS SPEIRS WIN SINGLES. • Before an enthusiastic gallery of over 'MXO people, G. .M. Ollivier, of Canterbury, regained the lawn tennis championship of New Zealand at Wiluing Park on .Saturday afternoon, defeating E. L. Bartleet, first man for Auckland, in five liard-fongbt sets, the last of which went to advantage. .Miss M. Speirs, also of Canterbury, sensationally defeated Miss B. M. Knight, Auckland, to win the women's title, which .she lost in 1926 to Mrs R. P. Adams, of Wellington.

The men's doubles championship was won by E. L. Bartleet and J. T. Laurenson (Auckland and Waikato), who defeated the holders of the title, N. G. Sturt and L. G. Knott (Auckland) in another five-set contest. X. 11. C. Wilson and Miss M. Tracy (Wellington) won the combined doubles championship by defeating A. L. Fiance and Mrs 11. P. Adams (Wellington) in three sets. The Xew Zealand Plate event was won easily by the Canterbury colt, C. Angas, who disposed of N. It. C. Wilson in straight sets. The Anthony Wilding Memorial Cup, for inter-provincial' competition, was won by Canterbury with seven points, Auckland being next with four points. Points arc allotted as follows: —Men's singles championship (3), men's doubles championship (2), women's singles championship (3), women's doubles championship (2), combined doubled championship (2), boys' singles championship (1), girls' singles championship (1). Ollivier now has won the men's singles title on seven occasions. This is a New Zealand record, the famous H. A. Parker having won the championship six times. Saturday was the sixth day of the tournament, and in the afternoon there was a record attendance, the stands being packed to their utmost capacity. The sun shone from a cloudless sky, and a light easterly breeze served to temper the heat. The courts were not affected by the rain of the previous day, and consequently the turf was fairly fast.

Strategy of Bartleet. The final of tho men's singles was one of tho most thrilling contests in the history of tho tournament, regardless of the quality of the tennis—which could have been improved upon considerably—for throughout the matcu intense excitement prevailed. There were few, if any, who expected the debonnair Bartleet to extend Ollivier; but by clever tactics he prevented the Canterbury man from jylaymg good tennis when he should Have been at the peak of his game. The first set was merely a procession of points to Ollivier, who was stroking with the precision of a well-oiled machine. ( .However,- there came a change in the second set. Bartleet, who had. been driving furiously on his foreliand , and belting ; his _ service, slowed up his game, and imparting heavy over-spin to his ground shots, he concentrated an attack on Ollivier's backhand, with the result that the Canterhury man, vulnerable on this side, had to be content to keep the ball ,in play, until opportunity presented itself for a forehand placement. This constant manoeuvring for position was the feature of the match, and had it not been for his control and splendid tosses, Ollivier would have been ' even though Bartleet, who was placing well, was exceedingly erratic overhead.

Ollivier played throughout with great confidence, accepting his errors and Bartleet's slightly more frequent winners with Equanimity, but never varying, his plan of campaign, which was to drive deep to Bartleet's forehand and then play the return shot to the exposed portion of the court. His lobbing, as already mentioned, was exceptionally good, and on numerous occasions, Bartleet was trapped by welljudged tosses its he rushed to the net. Ollivier certainly deserved to win the championship, for his record in a tournament was never more impressive. Against E. G. Boddy ho won 6-1, 6-1, 6-1; againstß. McL. Ferkins 6-1, 6-1, 6-2; A. B. L-?,ighnan 6-3, 7-5, 6-0; D. G. France 6-4, 6-0, 6-2; N. G. Sturt, C-4, 6-3, 6-0. On the other hand, Bartleet's wins were not so impressive, but, all the some, he was justly entitled.to take his place as the other finalist. He defeated P. G. Greenwood 6-2, 3-6 6-4. 6-2; A. G. Wallace 6-3, 6-4, 7-5: TV. J. Meldov 6-0, 6-2. 7-r> ; C. E. Malfroy 2-6, 6-8. 6-4, 6-0, 6-2; and J. T. Laurenson G-2. 8-6. 4-1 (Lauremion retired). Although beaten. Bcrtleet won honour in defeat, for he fought every inch the journey, and went down with colours flying.

A Flawless Game. The performance of Miss M. Speirs in the final of the women's event against Miss B. Knight -will stand for a long time as one of the most finished exhibitions of women's tennis even Been in the Dominion. She plaj-cd a wonderful game, and the manner in which she worked for her placements was a treat to watch. Miss Knight was spasmodically brilliant, but nothing she could do was capable of nullifying the deadly accuracy of her opponent. She certainly deserved to win more than three games, but she appeared to be lethargic in her shots, and her play generally lacked the dash which characterised that of Miss Speirs. Miss Knight, however, fought gamely against, for once, a flawless game.

"Full of Incident." The final of the combined doubles was a match full of incident, and although N. E. C. Wilson was devastating within the service court, his partner, Miss Jr. Tracy, was the outstanding figure, for it was she who invariably made the openings, penetrating the defence with well-judged drives of excellent length. Wilson and Miss Tracy were aggressive and teamed splendidly, and to this latter attribute their victory was due; for while Mrs R. P. Adams remained mostly at the baseline. Miss Tracy made frequent incursions to the net, there to volley crisply and accurately. A. L. France, as usual, was sound, but he was not given so many opportunities as in previous matches. "Brilliant but Erratic." Brilliant but erratic is a very applicable description of the play of the Aucklanders, L. G. Knott and" N. G. bturt, who carried off the doubles title in 1926. During the tournament they played wonderful tennis at times. Either would bring off an amazing coup at one moment only to sink to the depths of mediocrity the next, and this instability cost them the championship. In the final they crossed racquets with E. L. Bart-

lect and J. T. Laurenson. who came through after five sets had been played. Although spectacular on occasions, the tennis in this match was not that expected in a «hampionship final. There were far too many missed shots and chances, and he only man who was at all consistent was Bartleet, who carried Lnurcusou all thf v:r.y. in spite of the fact that he had had a gruelling >! niggle with Ollivicr. Sturt was undoubtedly the most brilliant of the four, and his cross-court smashing was reminiscent of the way in which Maurice McLoughlin used to "bury" the ball. Knott, who is only 10 years of age, was very nervous, and because of this he missed many shots in the fourth and fifth sets. Angas Wins Plate. The surprise of the afternoon was the ease with which C. Angas, the Canterbury colt, defeated X. R. C. Wilson, Wellington and New Zealand representative, in the final of the Plate. The score was 6-0, 7-3, G-4. The first set was featured by fast driving duels, with both men at the baseline. Angas was shooting brilliantly, and took the first seven games of the match. He was here, there, and everywhere, and Wilson must have wondered what he had struck when some of his best shots, hit off the rising ball, came hurtling back at him for aces. Angas lost touch somewhat in the second set, in the latter stages of which Wilson had control. The third set saw both hitting hard, but after o-all had been called it was apparent that the Wellingtouian had lost the "edge" of his fowii, and it seemed as though he over-did playing his drives on the rising bound, and he netted with monotonous regularity. Angas played better tennis in the semi-final round, when he defeated K. J. Waiker, who struck one of his bad patches. Against Wilson he frequently hit off his baclc foot, and it was more by luck than good management that some of his drives landed within the court. Still, ho played fine tennis, and he will improve, considerably before the season ends.

So far as standard of play generally is concerned, the tournament just ended has been ecpual to that of previous championship meetings, although from the tennis point of view the finals of the men's events were somewhat disappointing. This, however, is compensated for to some extent by the improvement in the play of the women, and there were some splendid contests in their events. The tournament was managed efficiently, and had it not been for wet weather on Friday, the meeting would have- been completed on that day. When presenting the trophies, Mr J. H. Kirk, president of the Canterbury and New Zealand Lawn Tennis Associations, paid a tribute to the work of the secretary (Mr D. Murray Kean), who organised the meeting, to Messrs E. J. Bean and H. W. Wake, and to Mesdames .T. Lord and IT. Wake, to the Press, and the groundsmen.

Tho rcsulU were: MEN'S SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP. (Best of five advantago sets—Previous champion: E. D. Andrews, Palmerston North). Final: G. Ollivier (Canterbury) beat E. L. Bartleet (Auckland), 6-1, 4-G, 6-3, 3-6, 9-7. WOMEN'S SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP. (Best of three advantage sets. Previous champion: Mrs R. P- Adams, Wellinglon). Finul. Miss M. Speii-3 (Canterbury) beat Miss B. Knight (Auckland), 6-1, 6-2. MEN'S DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP. (P.esl of five advantage sets. Previous champions: L. G. Knott and N. G. Sturt, Auckland). . . Final:

E L. Bartleet (Auckland) and J. T. Laurenaon (Waifcato) beat L. G. Knott and N. G. Sturt (Auckland), 3-6, G-3, 2-6, 6-0, G-3. COMBINED DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP. (Best of three advantage sets. Previous champions: Miss M. Spcirs, Canterbury, and D. France, Wellington). Final:

Miss M.Traicy and-N. E. C. Wilson (Wellington) beat Mrs R. P. Adams and L. France (Wellington), C-2, 4-6, 7-5. NEW ZEALAND PLATE. ' Fourth Hound.

K. J. Walker (Canterbury) beat J. H. W. Shcppard (Canterbury), 6-3, 4-6, 0-1, 9-7. Semi-finals. N. R. C. Wilson (Wellington) beat B. J. Baggs (Marlborough), 6-2, 6-2 7-5. C. Angas beat K. J. Walker 0-2, 0-2, G-l. Final. C. Angas beat If. K. C. Wilson, 6-0, 7-3, 6-1. NOTES ON THE PLAY. MEN'S SINGLES. ' THRILLING MATCH IN FINAL. Physical fitness ;ind his wonderful control of the ball alono enabled G. M. Ollivier, of Canterbury, to win tho men's singles championship of Now Zealand from the tenacious E. L. BartIcct, of Auckland, who fought grimly against his more versatile opponent. Tho match went vo the full Eye sets, and the large crowd was thrilled by the dogged determination of both men. The score was 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, &-6, 9-7: When the men took the court the stands were . packed in every part. From the knock-up it was evident that Bartleet was nervous, whereas Ollivier appeared serenely confident and had complete control of the ball. The Canterbury man opened with service, and a cross-court placement and a good toss gave him the game. Bartleet dropped his service in tho next game, double-faulting twice. He was overanxious to ace Ollivier, and on ted in consequence. The Canterbury man delighted the gallery with beautiful placements to all parts of the court. He handled Bartlcet's hardest drives with tho greatest ease imaginable and took the first set with the loss of the fifth game. Tho wily Aucklander changed, his tactics in the second set. He began to pitch slow shots to Ollivier's loft court, with the result that the Canterbury man, unable to force the pace on this wing, was compelled to trade backhand drives with the Auckland crack until he was able to bring his forehand into action. However, Ollivier was still master of the court, and he kept the fleet-footed Bartleet chasing from sideline to sideline, but he could not force his man into error, and amid great excitement the set went to Bartleet, C-4.

Thrilling Tennis. The third set. opened sensationally. The famous Bartleet service was going beautifully, and he scut two lightning deliveries crashing oicr the net for clean aces and the game. The gallery waited expectantly. Ollivicr concentrated a service attack upon the Auckland man's backhand, but the ball came back with'good length, and the players swapped drives from the baseline, with the honours to Bartleet. The games were even at 2-all. The fifth game had the crowd wildly excited. Oliivier attacked Bartleet's service and hit two first deliveries for aces to the Aucklanders backhand. Bartleet caught Ollivicr napping by a neatlyexecuted drop .shot, made off a linrridriven ball. Ho was caught out of ijosition a minute later and Canterbury had the advantage at 4-2. Again Oliivier won his service, to lead at .5-2. Rallying brilliantly, Bartleet pounded Olliviers backhand, took the eighth game, and slumped badly in the next. It was Oliivier's set. 6-3.

The fourth set saw many exciting rallies, in which Bartleet had all the luck. He scored by four net-cord shots in almost as many minutes. Both men were fighting grimly, and for the first

time in tiie match Bartlcct lint] OHivier on tlio run. again pasting liis weak liaclihand. Tlic socres alternated with service until 2-aJI wui called. At this stage Bartleet tell when racing to retrieve a short shot, and appeared to have hurt himself. His tennis was not affected, however, for he immediately ieft Ollivicr standing !>y a fast forehand drive, across-eourt. The set went to Auckland, 'j-3. The gallery cheered enthusiastically. It appeared to lie anylxxly's match at this stage. OHivier looked a certainty at 3-1 in the final set, but Bartleet has a great fighting spirit, and, speeding up his game, he forged ahead to lead fit 5-4. With the shadow of defeat looming dangerously close, OHivier tightened his game, and for a long driving rallv he evened the scores at o-all. Bartleet .•ippeared to be uncertain on his backhand at this stage and evidently was suffering from the strain. whereas OHivier was coolly confident and was driving for the lines on his forehand. Auckland led at fi-j, but could not clinch the advantage. Bartleet went to the front at 7-6. but this was his last effort. OHivier rapturing Bartleet's service to lend ai S-7. The 16th game was a sensational ending to <>ne of the niosi thrilling fn-ds in t'e history of the tourney. OPivier. who wn.s much the fredi?r <>l 1h" two. -erved brilliantly to 'in. with a love game, the sot. a :i d the match. Cheers were gven for both men.

MEN'S DOUBLES,

CHAMPIONS DETHRONED. There were some good shots and »-er,v many bad ones in the final ot the men's, doubles between E. L. Bartleet and J. T. Laurenson (Auckland and Waikato) in the final of the men's doubles against the holders of the title. X. (.!. Sturt and L. G. Knott (Auckland). The champions were dethroned, but the match went the full distance, and to say the least, the tennis was disappointing. The score wits 3-5. ti-3, '2-ti, 6-0, b'-3. The first set sparkled with brilliance, mostly on the part of Sturt and Knott, and in the second session, Bartleet was seen to advantage, and it was due largely to his resourcefulness that Laureuson and he won the set. With Sturt and Knott crowding the net, Bartleet and Laureuson spent most of the third set well back in the court, picking tin smashes. Generally speaking, a thunder storm is never very long in duration, and so it was with the young champions. They had been allowed to hit themselves out in the first throe sets, and therefore, Knott, being the more erratic of the two, was given a severe pasting. He netted or outcci ball after ball, and in an endeavour to save his partner, Sturt sacrificed court position. The ultimate issue was not long in doubt, and in two sets Sturt and Knott could win but three games.

WOMEN'S SINGLES.

BRILLIANCE OF MISS SPEIRS. .In one of the most finished displays ever given by a lady in New Zealand championship tennis, Miss M. Speirs. first player for Canterbury, secured the singles title from Miss B. At. Knight, of Auckland, in two straight sets, 'with the loss of only three games. The Canterbury lady played by far her best game of the tournament, and made very few mistakes. She served well, aeeing frequently, and her deep drives to the side-lines were a treat to watch. There was no. struggle because Miss Speirs was never seriously challenged by Miss Knight, who found the opposition very stiff. Neither did she reproduce the form she,, displayed in the eliminating rounds She served well at times'and her base line play was good but at the net she made many mistakes.

Miss Speirs began well, taking the first game. Miss Knight equalised the score -with a speedy service. Shooting her serves down the centre line and playing her strokes with precision, she ran to 3-1. She finished off the next game with a beautiful angle volley. The Auckland player began to waver, and the next two games went to Canterbury, the last ono to love, making the match 6-1. Miss Speirs continued to succeed, her cross-court driving and placing to the wings being a feature. Again Miss Knight took the first game of the set. Miss Knight's backhand was steady, but her forehand erratic, and Miss Speirs played to the latter with success She took the next two games with ease, time and again leaving Miss Knight stranded at the net while the ball sped to raise the chalk on the side-lines. The Aucklander notched her second game of the set, and became more steady and accurate in her placing though her overhead play was weak. From 3-2 she won the next game with two lucky net strokes and went on to win the set 6-2.

COMBINED DOUBLES. MISS THACY AND WILSON. Prom a mediocre opening, A. L. Prance and Mrs Adams sparkled for a time, only to tail off again to let the other Wellington pair, Wilson and Miss Tracy into championship honours by two sets to one. At times the losing pair played brilliant tennis —witness Mrs Adams' speedy base-line drives, and France's brilliant smashing and placements, but consistency and combination they lacked. It was in the second set that most of these brilliant shots were seen. In the first set they never challenged supremacy and in the last they made a more stubborn effort only to be beaten by superior combination. Miss Tracy's exhibition, particularly overhead, was of the best. On several occasions the play seemed to centre particularly round her, and she was equal to the test. Wilson's smashing was excellent—this is his strongest point in doubles, but he netted his drives frequently. Wilson began serving and took the game to love. .Prance equalised on his servo. Wilson was smashing everything he could reach. Mrs Adams was not scoring too well, but they won the game and the score stood at 3-2 in favour of the winners, and quickly ran to 5-2. In the next game, Mrs Adams lost her service and the set. In the second set Wilson and Miss Tracy took the next two games. Miss Tracy was playing with great vim. Then their opponents took a turn. Prance used his chopstroke and Mrs Adams placed some good drives to the corner. They led to o-3. Then Miss Tracy and Wilson took a game, the former making some fine smashes. Mrs Adams and her partner took the set 6-4. France was going much better, and play ranged evcnlv to 2 all. Wilson, with deadly serving took the next game. They also won the next. Their opponents strove hard and equalised the score at 4 all. But Wilson and Miss Tracy were not to be denied. Playing the better combination they carried the play to 5 all and then G-5. With Mrs Adams serving they took the game with the loss of two points, the match, and the title.

NEW ZEALAND PLATE.

SHEPPARD EXTENDS WALKER

Four hard sets were played before K. J. Walker, No. 2 on the Canterbury ranking list, could dispose of J. H. W. Sheppard, the Canterbury veteran. 6-3, 4-0. 0-1, P-7, in the fourth round of the Date event. Sheppard showed excellent eourU-raft. and gave Walker a good run for his money. The game was one of science rather than energy. Walker was kept chasing from sideline to sideline, and occasional drop shots caught him napping. He was passed frequently at the net, but played a better driving game than did Sheppard. The last-named, however, shone in crosscourt driving and overhead. Walker was fully extended, and his backhand was given a severe pasting. Sheppard fought every inch of the journey, but Walker's drives carried too much pace, which was really the deciding factor in the game. X. R. 0. Wilson, of Wellington, entered the final of the Plate by taking R. J. Bagge. Marlborough representative, into camp in three sequence sets, b-2. 6-2, 7-5. Bagge was never in the hunt in the first two sets, hut staged a good recovery to extend Wilson in the third set, and fast drives to the backhand left the Wellington man standing. Bagge was in front early in the set, but "Wilson steadied up and had sufficient in reserve to win an advantage third set. The semi-final of the Sew Zealand Plate between the two Canterbury men, C. Angas and K. .1. Walker, was a good thing for the former player, who was opposed to a much inferior Walker to the man who blew Lampe, of Wangamii. off the court on the previous evening. Angas played a good all-round game, and von with the greatest of ease. Walker showed a complete reversal of form, and seemed unable to keep the ball in court.

Win for Angas. Speed, occasional brilliance, and) an absence of accuracy characterised the duel between Angas and Wilson in the final of the New Zealand Plate. Wilson showed himself to b<-> one of the most erratic players in the tournament. After playing a good doubles game Ins opening display in this match was very wild. "He could find neither side-line nor base-line and scored only with smashes. Under these conditions it was no wonder that the enterprising Angas went through the first set without the loss of a game. He did the same in the first part of the second. With the scores at 1-3, however, lie livened up and gave a taste of his true form. He equalised the score at 4-all, though Angas was playing just as well as ever, bright and orthodox tennis. He had a game lead at 4-5, but the set went to Angas at 7-5. In the third set Angas continued! to play aggressively. Wilson improved, being much more accurate, but could not clinch any advantage he obtained. Angas took the deciding set, 6-4, and the match.

TENNIS FORM. •

STANDARD MAINTAINED. In the opinion of prominent tennis critics the standard of play in the tournament just ended has been equal to that of any previous tournament. Mr F. J. Murray, a prominent Canterbury coach, said that he had never seen a better all-round display of tennis in the Dominion tournaments. Some of the women's tennis was especially pleasing, as also was that in the men's doubles. Perhaps the men's singles had not provided such exhilarating tennis as usual:

Speaking of individual players Mr Mur.ray had great hopes for the youthl'uii'Canterbury girl player. Miss May Andrew. She had a variety of strokes, knew the game and played it enthusiastically, and needed only experience to make her a champion. The same applied to Malfroy among the men. He showed more tennis brains than anyone else in the tournament, and it was hard to find any fault in his technique. He also possessed a wealth of strokes, and with additional physical development might be expected to do great things. One of the disappointments was Wilson, of "Wellington. He was undoubtedly a player of class, but had been off form in Christchurch during the last week. His temperament had a lot to do with it. Another good player who was off form was Ivan Seay. Mr Murray considered that the lady players were outstanding, especially Misj Speirs and Miss Tracy. Angas and Walker had shown much improvement when pitted against the Dominion's best. Ho also paid tribute to the worth of the older champions, OHivier, Bartleet, and the veteran, Peacock.

In the boys' championships the tennis had) not'reached such a high standard as in recent years, when tho play in this department was exceptional. The girl juniors showed great promise.

SOUTHLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. (press associatiok telegium.) INVERCARGILL, January 2. Tho finals of the Southland lawn tennis championships, which hud to be postponed on AVednesday after two sunny opening days, were played on Saturday. Results:— Men's Singles Championship— V. R. Chisholm (New Zealand University champion) defeated Jf. K. Sumpter (Invcrcargill), 6-4, •1-6, 7-5, 7-5. Ladies' Singles—Miss Lawrence (Invercargill) defeated Mrs Latta (Invercargill). 1-6, 6-3, 7-5. Men's Doubles —Lindsay and Johnstone OVinton) defeated Dobie (Wellington) and Macpherson (Dunedin) by default.