AUSTRALIANS’ FINE PLAY

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25739, 26 February 1949, Page 4

AUSTRALIANS’ FINE PLAY

LAWN TENNIS

NEW ZEALAND DOWN, 50 MCKENZIE EXTENDS SIDWELL A magnificent match between O. W. Sidwell, Australian Davis Cup representative last year and again in the coming season, and R. S. McKenzie, New Zealand’s leading player since the war, was the highlight of the first day’s play in the lawn tennis match at Wilding Park between the touring New South Wales team and New Zealand. McKenzie took Sidwell to 8-6 in the third set; but that was the nearest New Zealand came to winning a singles. In the doubles, however, it seemed that New Zealand’s second pair, O. M. Bold and J. A. Barry, were we)l on the ’way to a surprise win over the top New South Wales pair, Sidwell and R. McCarthy, when rain interrupted the play at 4-0 in the third set. New South Wales, therefore, will begin to-day’s series of matches—against different opponents from those they played yesterday—with a lead of five rubbers to none, with one unfinished.

Yesterday’s play was full of interest, mainly because the New Zealand players splendidly answered the challenge of the strong visiting team. Although Sidwell is the only one of the visitors well known in New Zealand, his team-mates proved to be accomplished players, perhaps not so very much better than the best New Zealand standard in stroke equipment, but considerably more polished and sure in the use of their strokes to build up, sustain, and press home an attack. This team confirmed the impression, given by the Australian team which came here last year, that the New Zealand “style” of play is very similar to that of most Australians, which means that they are probably taught and coached along very similar lines. Sidwell and G. E. Brown (a member of last year’s team), however, are both reminders that the “big hitting game,” as exploited by some of the leading Americans, is the most successful game to-day: and it can be expected to grow in popularity until a new champion of the “classical” type arises to subdue the big hitters with control, steadiness, and accuracy.

McKenzie’s Good Form It may be doubted whether McKenzie has ever played better than he did against Sidwell. He matched th«u Australian in the speed and scoring power of his first service, in his driving, and in his overhead play: but, well as he volleyed at times, he was well beaten in this department. That, of course, was to be expected, for Sidwell is one of the best volleyers in the world to-day: and probably none better has been seen at Wilding Park. At the crises in the match—and there were times in the third set when McKenzie seemed to have a real chance of winning—Sidwell speeded up his service and his drives, which were invariably taken early on the rise, and made for the net; and when he got his racket on to a volley, even if that was achieved by an acrobatic leap at a fast and well-directed return, the ball was “buried” beyond recall. McKenzie countered these bustling tactics with coolness and skill, winning points with accurate passing shots and limiting Sidwell’s attack by going to the net himself at every opportunity. In defence, Sidwell made more mistakes than might be expected from a player of his class. The pace did not slacken throughout the three excellent sets.

J. E. Robson, the New Zealand champion, started well, but faded badly against the second New South Wales player, McCarthy. The match was played at a much slower pace than the other, both men relying on placement, angle, and change of pace or length to win points outright or to pave the way for the volleying coup. In these exchanges the men seemed well matched until the third set, when McCarthy finally mastered Robson’s volleying with his beautifully-controlled passing shots, slow but carrying plenty of spin, which were kept so close to the top of the net that Robson was continually volleying upward and volleying defensively. McCarthy’s retrieving ability was -a good reinforcement for his fluent stroking. An Aggressive Left-Hander The match between the two lefthanders, J. Matthews (New South Wales) and O. M. Bold, provided some contrasts. The short and stocky Bold was matched against one of the tallest players yet seen at Wilding Park, and his own steady, tenacious game was not quite good enough to counter the aggressive play of the visitor. Matthews used his height to serve and smash with great power, and his reach made his crisp volleying a potent weapon. Bold, as usual, fought for every point and was unlucky not to win the second set after holding three set points at 5-4 and 6-5. D. Rocavert, third for New South Wales, beat J. A. Barry comfortably. It was Barry’s first appearance in Christchurch since his Davis Cup tour and since he gave up his two-handed shot on the left-hand side in favour of an orthodox backhand. His game yesterday scarcely did him justice. He was seldom confident in handling the Australian’s powerful service, sliced into the forehand court or kicking high to the backhand, but he also made too many errors in the driving exchanges, in which department the men were more evenly matched. Good Doubles Performance Matthews and Rocavert attacked relentlessly throughout the doubles match in which they overwhelmed Robson and McKenzie. Their serving, smashing, and volleying were devastating in their speed and accuracy, and dipping returns of service enabled them to snatch the initiative even when their opponents were serving. Robson was again unreliable and McKenzie did not reproduce his form of the singles. Bold and Barry, on the other hand, played like new men, taking the first five games from Sidwell and McCarthy, winning the first set at 6-3, and re-estab-lishing their control in the third set after the Australians had tightened up their play to save the second. McCarthy, who was the object of the New Zealanders’ attack, was not very reliable; and Sidwell too often left his court open in trying to cut into the rallies. The retrieving of the New Zealanders was brilliant, prolonging and winning many rallies which seemed lost, but they also volleyed deftly and covered the net with nice understanding. They deserved to have won the match. Results (New South Wales players mentioned first:— Singles O. W. Sidwell beat R. S. McKenzie, 4-6, 6-3, 8-6. R. McCarthy beat J. E. Robson, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. D. Rocavert beat J. A. Barry. 6-2. 6-3. J. Matthews beat O. M. Bold, 6-2, 8-6. Doubles Sidwell and McCarthy v. Bold and Barry, 3-6, 6-3, 0-4 (unfinished). Rocavert and Matthews beat Robson and McKenzie, 6-2, 6-4.