LAWN TENNIS THIRD DAY OF N.Z. TITLES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28787, 7 January 1959, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS THIRD DAY OF N.Z. TITLES

Quarter-Finals Reached In Singles

Matches in the third round of the men’s singles at the New Zealand lawn tennis championships at Wilding Park yesterday generally went according to form and the six seeded players who were left in after the second round on Monday have all entered the quarter-finals. The unseeded players who have enhanced their reputations by reaching the same stage are K. Long, of Auckland—perhaps a little fortunate because of R. S. McKenzie’s withdrawal—and J. R. McDonald, of Wellington. The quarter-finals today should be much more closely fought than most of the matches in the third round yesterday. They will be J. E. Robson (Auckland) and J. A. Barry (Manawatu); L. A. Gerrard (Auckland), and P. G. Nicholls (Taranaki); M. A. Otway (Auckland) and Long; McDonald and R. N. Howe (Australia).

Yesterday’s third-round men’s singles matches were, on the whole, lacking in interest apart from a grand, hard-hitting, attacking display by Nicholls and B. E. Woolf, of Auckland; the first set of a match between the Canterbury junior, C. G. Judge, and the former Davis Cup player, Otway; and a long drawn-out contest between McDonald and the Wellingon junior, J. B. Souter. The rest were won too comfortably to be notable. McDonald beat Souter, 9-7, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2, 8-6, in about three hours and a quarter. On Monday he beat A. S. Bums, of Auckland in three hours and a half, making six hours and three-quarters for two matches. His match with Souter was not as good as his one with Burns on Monday and it gained its interest rather from its closeness than from any outstanding play. Doubles Upsets

There were two upsets to doubles seedings yesterday. In the second round of the women’s doubles, the Canterbury player. Miss J. Davidson paired with Mrs M. Rennie, of Otago, to beat the second seeded pair. Misses R Dickson (Auckland) and B. Nelson (Wellington), 6-3, 10-8. Miss Davidson and Mrs Rennie will now meet Miss D. King and Mrs T. McGregor, of Wellington, in a semi-final. The other upset was in the men’s doubles when the unseeded M. A. Ellis and D. Lye (Auckland), who gave good doubles displays in the Canterbury championships, eliminated the fourth seeded pair, G. L. Johns and B. E. Woolf (Auckland), 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. However, Johns, who defaulted from the singles because of an injured shoulder, was still not fit. No women’s singles were played yesterday but the quarter-finals today will be Miss S. Cox (Wellington), and Miss B. Bryant (Auckland); Miss B. Nelson (Wellington) and Miss M. Johnston (Wellington); Miss M. Dunbar (Otago) and Mrs M. Rennie (Otago); Miss D. King (Wellington) and Miss R. Morrison (Auckland). Miss Cox served overarm for the first time in the tournament, after her injury in the Canterbury championships, when she and Barry played in a mixed doubles. Even then she did not serve at full pace but it appears that her arm has greatly improved. The first-seeded holder of the men’s singles title, Howe, now among the first few Australian amateurs, is having little difficulty in this tournament. Yesterday he beat the former Canterbury junior who is now living in Auckland, A. D. Huston, 6-1, 6-3, 6-0. The tall, slim Howe played many shots which dropped sharply out of his opponent’s reach and his stop volleys were a pleasure to watch. He had great control over his double-handed backhand and he worked consistently for position. Best Performance

Woolf and Nicholls gave by far the best performance in singles of the day. Both served hard and followed service to the net to put away some fine volleys deep to the corners, especially in the fourth and last set. Nicholls led by two sets to one at the interval but Woolf fought back well in the fourth set and was full of the aggression that at times makes him as good as most players at the tournament. The fourth set was tense and exciting, with Nicholls determined to avenge the defeat he suffered at the hands of Woolf in the Can-

terbury titles and Woolf striving to take the match to the fifth. They were even at 3-3 and then games went with service with some brilliant volleying to the corners as they followed service in. In this pattern, Nicholls led, 8-7 and Woolf was 40-15 on his service when the pattern was upset as Woolf suffered one of those strange lapses in concentration that have lost him matches in the past. He hung back and let Nicholls get in to win, 9-7. Nicholls won, 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 9-7. Previous Meetings

McDonald and the 16-year-old Souter had met there times before this season, with the honours to Souter, 2-1. Yesterday McDonald evened the tally but the match might just as easily have gone the other way. The play was not outstanding because they mainly played one another down the middle of the court because neither had enough pace on his shots but rather preferred the safety game. However, great interest was shown by the crowd because of the marathon nature of the match and because of the evenness of the contestants. McDonald showed himself as a neat player but he is not severe enough. He was superior to his opponent at the net hut he made far too many errors when he had opened up the court. At times he had forced Souter, still retrieving, far out of court and then he put what should have been a winner from a weak lob, into the net. One of McDonald’s best type of shot was one taken on the run and sent down the sideline.

Souter proved his determination and retrieving ability again and, with his fitness, his court coverage was magnificent. However, he needs more power in his ground shots and more length. McDonald was able to take the initiative frequently from short lobs. Souter, when he went to the net failed to make his volleys decisive soon enough. It was obvious from the beginning that this would be a most hard-fought match and it remained like that to the end. At 6-5 in the fifth set, McDonald held two match points before Souter won the game. When McDonald led, 7-6, it took him three more match points to win. Judge’s First Set

Judge, with a well-produced service action and smooth strokes looked every bit as good a player as Otway in the first set but Otway brought his superior experience and pace to bear to win, 7-5, 6-3, 6-1. The Canterbury player could well have wen the first set for twice he fritter id away chances when he had good leads on his own service. He was still well in the game at 3-3 in the second set where his service was broken and after that Otway had control.

B. N. Shute, of Hutt Valley, held the lead at various times against Barry but he did not look like taking a set for Barry’s positional play was too good and he had more pace. Barry won, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3. Robson played very steadily to beat R. F. Ferkins, another Hutt Valley player, 6-3, 6-0. 6-2. Gerrard hit hard, placed cleverly, and stroked smoothly to beat J. C. Roach, of Wellington, 6-1, 6-1, 6-2, and Long was too powerful for the inexperienced Canterbury junior, R. Blunt Long raided the net throughout and Blunt could not come in for fear of being passed, but he played some good recoveries. Misses Davidson and Rennie

formed a good combination when they beat Misses Dickson and Nelson. Miss Davidson was aggressive with severe service and smash and Miss Rennie provided the steadying influence when Miss Davidson made errors. The other pair did not combine as well. In the men’s doubles the top seeded pair, McKenzie and Robson, were, much too experienced for the young Wellington players, Souter and R. Clarke. McKenzie again did not overdo things because of his back injury and Robson was the most proficient player of the game. Souter and Clarke fought hard in the first set especially, but after that their opponents took control. A. S. Burns and Gerrard did not have such an easy win, for G. K. Roberts, of Auckland, and F. Scarlett (Wellington) hit hard and attacked throughout. However, Burns and Gerrard always looked the better pair. They were more consistent and made fewer mistakes on vital points. The Wimbledon mixed doubles champion, Howe, paired with Miss D. King, of Wellington, dropped the first set in very quick time to J. H. Lockington and Miss B. Bryant, of Auckland, in a third-round mixed doubles match. When Howe and Miss King, who were put out jn the semi-finals of last year’s mixed doubles, settled down and concentrated more they were too good and took the last- two sets comfortably to win, 2-6, 6-1, 6-3. Miss King was not at her best but Howe. made many brilliant interceptions. Abbreviations used in the results are:—Ak„ Auckland; Wn., Wellington; C., Canterbury; 0., Otago; Mana, Manawatu; Tara., Taranaki; H. Hutt Valley; Aust., Australia; N. 0., North Otago: Sth., Southland. Results MEN’S SINGLES (Holder: R. N. Howe, Australia.) Third Round J. E. Robson (Ak.) beat R. F. Ferkins (H.V.), 6-3, 6-0, 6-2. J- A. Barry (Maha.) beat B. N. Shute (H.V.),\ 6-3, 6-1, 6-3. L. A. Gerrard (Ak.) beat J. C. Roach (Wn.), 6-1, 6-1, 6-2. „, p - G. Nicholls (Tara.) beat B. E. Woolf (Ak.). 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 9-7. M. A. Otway (Ak.) beat C. G. Judge (C.), 7-5, 6-3, 6-1. K. Long (Ak.) beat R. Blunt (C.), 6-2, 6-0, 6-0. J R. McDonald (Wn.) beat J. B. Souter (Wn.), 9-7, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2, 8-6. R. N Howe (Aust.) beat A. D. Huston (Ak.), 6-1, 6-3, 6-0. MEN’S DOUBLES (Holders: R. N Howe and A. S. Burns) Second Round R. S. McKenzie (Wn.) and J. E. Robson (Ak.) beat R. Clarke and J. B. Souter (Wn.), 6-4, 6-1, 6-1. J J. Borough and M. Meinhold (Ak.) beat G. Judge and B. Judge (C.). 6-2, 6-4, 6-4. A._S. Burns and L. A. Gerrard (Ak.) beat G. K. Roberts (Ak.) and F. Scarlett (Wn.), 6-3. 7-5, 6-4. K. Long (Ak.) and P. G. Nicholls (Wn.) beat C. Mair and J. A. Robertson (Sth.), 6-2, 6-2, 6-1. J. A. Barry (Mana.) and J. R. McDonald (Wn.) beat L. Martin (C.) and T. Withers CO.), 6-1, 6-0, 6-2. M A. Ellis and D. Lye (Ak.) beat G. L. Johns and B. E. Woolf (Ak.), 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. R. N. Howe (Aust.) Gnd M. A. Otway (Ak.) beat A. L. Blackwell and A. D. Hunter (C.). 6-2, 6-1, 6-0. R. F. Ferkins and B. N. Shute (H.V ) beat W. J. Averill and S. Clarke (CJ, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1. WOMEN’S DOUBLES (Holders: Misses P. Nettleton and S. Cox.) -■ Second Round Misses S Cox (Wn.) and R. Morrison (Ak.) beat Misses H. Rika and P. Rika (Ak.). 6-0, 6-1. Misses B. Bryant and J. Glenie (Ak.) beat Misses G. Hopkinson (C.) and J. Kent (Wn ), 6-2, 6-3. Miss D. King and Mrs T. McGregor (Wn.) beat Misses M. Douglas (Ak.) and M. Johnston (Wn.), 7-5, 6-4. Miss J. Davidson (C.) and Mrs M. Rennie (O.) beat Misses R. Dickson (Ak.) and B. Nelson (Wn.), 6-3, 10-8. MIXED DOUBLES (Holders: J E. Robson and Mrs Robson.) Second Round L. A. Gerrard and Miss R. Morrison (Ak.) beat -I. Kirkland and Mrs G. de Bazin (O.), 6-0, 6-0. G. Judge and Miss J. Davidson (C.) beat R. Blunt and Mrs J. McKay (C.). 6-3, 6-2. J. A. Barry (Mana.) and Miss S. Cox (Wn.) beat F. Scarlett and Miss J. Kent (Wn.), 6-4, 6-1. K. Long and Miss J. Glenie (Ak.) beat G. Davidson (N. 0. and Miss S. Mackay (C.), 6-2, 6-2. J. H. Lockington and Miss B. Bryant (Ak.) beat B. Shute and Miss J. Heaton (H.V.). 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. R N. Howe (Aust.) and Miss D. King (Wn.) beat M. C. Healey and Miss D. Norrie (C.). by default. Third Round Howe and Miss King beat Lockington and Miss Bryant, 2-6, 6-1, 6-3.-

DRAW FOR TODAY The following is the draw for today. beginning at 10 a.m.— First Match Court No. 1: L. A. Gerrard v. P. G Nicholls; 2: Miss D. King v. Miss R Morrison; 3: Miss S. Cox v. Miss B. Bryant; 4: Miss M. Dunbar v. Mrs M. Rennie. Second Match Court No 1: J. R. McDonald v. R. Howe; 2: J. E. Robson v. J. A. Barry, 3: Miss M. Johnston v. Miss B Nelson. Third Match Court No. 2: M. A. Otway v. K. Long. Then quarter-finals of mens and mixed doubles.