LAWN TENNIS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25995, 24 December 1949, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS

CANTERBURY TITLES

PLAY BEGINS TO-DAY The Canterbury lawn tennis championships, which will begin at .Wilding Park to-day, have drawn excellent entries in all sections except the women's doubles. In some sections, notably the men’s singles, the championships are more or less New Zealand championships.

J. E. Robson, holder of the New Zealand men’s singles title and second seeded player for the New Zealand championships in January, is the first seeded player for the championships. Other players in order of seeding, who will compete, are R. S. McKenzie, J. A. Barry. O. M. Bold, A. S. Burns, R. G. Pattinson, R. A. H. Howe, and L. Roach. In this event last year, McKenzie heat Robson in two straight sets, and it is likely that these players will again be the finalists. However, there may be some surprises in this section, and both these players will have to be at their best. A. N. Bailey, M. E. Otway, A. L. Blackwell, and J. B. Bushell are some of the players who may cause surprises. For the first time, too, the men’s singles semi-finals and final will be decided on five set matches, and this should ensure for the players a real test of courage and stamina, and it should also ensure a win for the best player. McKenzie and Robson, who won the doubles title last year, are also playing together this time, and they appeal as the likely winners. They are a particularly strong combination. Strong challenges can be expected from other seeded players, and they will not have everything their own way. Interest will be taken in Bailey and T. A. F. Withers, one of Canterbury’s best doubles pairs. A very active pair, they may be expected to provide sound attractive tennis and a possible; surprise. Women’s Sections Women’s games rarely provide poor tennis, and, if the entries are any indication, good tennis should be the order of the day in the women’s singles and doubles. Miss J. Mac Gibbon, winner of the title last year, is again competing. She is ranked second. The first seeded player is Miss E. Attwood, who is also the first seeded player for the New. Zealand championships. There are many good players in this section, and there may be quite a few surprises. Mrs H. Lane, seventh seeded player, has already beaten the fourth ranked player. Miss M. Kerr, while she herself has been beaten by Miss M. Robertson, a non-ranked player who is competing. Mrs K. Hart, provincial champion, 1945, has not played competition for some time; but her tennis is usually reliable and she should add interest to this section. The women’s doubles has been poorly patronised in the way of entries; but It does not lack in quality. Included in the entries are the titleholders. Mrs I. Hatherley and Miss T. Poole, who have been given second seeding, and Misses Kerr and B. Potter. These two pairs should be well tested by Mrs E. Anderson and Miss Mac Gibbon, and Misses M Beverley and M. -Robertson. Pattinson and Mrs Hart, winners of the mixed doubles last year, are seeded fifth this year. They will need to play well to retain their title against strong pairs in Robson and Miss Kerr, Barry and Miss Potter, Bold and Miss Beverley. Bums and Miss V. Johnson. Bailey and Miss Mac Gibbon, A. L. Blackwell and Miss Robertson, and E. D. White and Miss Poole. There are other players capable of a good showing.