LAWN TENNIS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20459, 1 February 1932, Page 11

LAWN TENNIS.

SINGLES TITLE TO C. ANGAS. jIISS HARTIGAN'S WIN. DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS. (JBSSB ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM ) AUCKLAND, January 30. The New Zealand tennis championdup tournament was brought to a conclusion to-day, when the attendance beat the record established the previous day. The Governor-General, Lord BledisJo« and Lady Blcdisloe were in attendance. The prizes won in championship events, and the Wilding Shield were presented at the end of play by Lord Blsdisloe, who announced, amid cheers, th»t her Excellency had presented a enp for competition in future championships. The weather was fine after heavy rain earlier in the day, although a cold southerly wind added to the difficulties of the players. The men's singles championship was won by C. Angas (Canterbury), who defeated H. A. Barnett, also of Canterbury, by three sets to one. It was s display of steady tennis, neither player being prepared to take risks in the windy conditions. The women's singles title went to Mius Joan Hartigan (New South Wales), tho Australian junior champion, who gave a really brilliant display of driving, defeating Mrs Molesworth, & former Australian title-holder. Miss HartigaD pleated the spectators immensely and she was accorded a big ovation at the conclusion of the match. Angaa ana Barnett. The final of the men's singles provided disappointing tennis from the spectators' point of view. This was not surprising, seeing that both players had exhaustive tingles and doubles matches on the previous day. It was also the tenth day's play praotically in. succession for both and the strain was obviously tell* ing on them. In addition to this, the strong wind blowing dowa court made hard hitting inadvisable. The consequence was that right from the start the players adopted steady tactics, and there were many long games. The match was played mostly from the baselines, Angaß advancing to the net much more frequently than his opponent, and meeting with a good deal of success in cutting off many of Barnett's fine returns. Brilliant Tennis. The women's singles final was responsible for some of the most brilliant tennis seen during the tournament. It was thought that Mrs Molesworth's experience and steadiness, combined with her command of practically all shots, would prove too much for her young opponent: but a big surprise was in store. Both visitors were accorded a fine reception from a large crowd. Right from the outset, Miss Hartigan drove magnificently to the baseline corners, concentrating principally upon her opponent's backhand. The sting put behind her returns of Mrs Molesworth's strong service made the spectators gasp with amazement and admiration. Nothing like

it for consistent strength and accuracy had been seen during the tournament, not even from the men players. At the conclusion of the match, Mrs Molesworth hastened to the net to embrace and kiss her young rival, who had given a display as brilliant as anything seen from a lady player at the courts for many a long day. The crowd was - not slow to appreciate the merit of the winner's performance and she was accorded another big cheer as she and her opponent walked from the court. Mea'B ixrables Fin&L N. B. C. Wilson wan the dominant player in the final of the men's doubles. He and A. O. Btedman forced the attack throughout tbe match, Wilson scoring moat of the points with unplayable smashes, although Btedman, at times, won applause with beautiful forehand drives to the corners. Stedman 's overhead work was also good, although he wan overshadowed by his partner. A. L. France seemed listless and made many mistakes, D. G. France doing more than his share of attack and defence. He was frequently aetive at the net, while he was fairly safe at the back of the court, although he was forced into a number of errors by Wilson's powerful driving. Mixed Doubles. After their three-set match in the semi-final, Miss J. Hartigan and A. C. Stedman seemed tired in the final against Miss D. Nicholls and A. L. Prance, who beat them comfortably in two straight sets. Mißs Nicholls and Prance played good tennis as a combination, while they gave nothing away. Miss Hartigan was not able to bring off many of her forehand drives, while Stedman was erratic Miss Nicholls was always steady, driving well from the baseline, while France played far better than in the final of the men's doubles. Besults were:— Men's Singles Championship. Final. C. Angas (Canterbury) beat H. A. Barnett (Canterbury), 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0. Mixed Doubles Championship. Semi-final. Miss Joan Hartigan (New South "Wales) and A. C. Stedman (Auckland) heat Miss Via. Valkenberg (Now South "Wales) and M. M. Morrison (Auckland), 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. Final. Miss D. Nicholls and A. L. France (Wellington) beat Miss Joan Hartigan (New South Wales) and A. C. Stedman (Auckland), 6-2, 6-1. Women's Singles Championship. Final. Miss J. Hartigan (New South Wales) beat Mrs Molesworth (New South Wales), 6-2, 6-4. Men's Doubles Championship. Final. N". B. C. Wilson (Wellington) aDd A. C Stedman (Auckland) beat D. G. France and A. L. France (Wellington), 0-a, S-10, 6-4, 7-5. Junior Mixed Doubles. Final. Mi»s Kean and Stevens won from HUa Burns and Bedford by default.