LAWN TENNIS Gerrard And Robson Gain Wins In Invitation Tourney

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28819, 13 February 1959, Page 10

LAWN TENNIS Gerrard And Robson Gain Wins In Invitation Tourney

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, February 12. L. A. Gerrard, the 20-year-old Davis Cup player, scored one of the most important victories of his lawn tennis career while playing in the second round of the Auckland international invitation tournament today. The man Gerrard defeated—M. Mulligan, of Australia—won the Australian junior title last year and has been chosen as a member of the Australian Davis Cup squad which is to tour abroad this year. In a splendid day of some of the finest „ tournament tennis Auckland has witnessed in years, Gerrard and J. E. . Robson performed valiant strokes for New Zealand by each winning his singles against Australian contenders. Robson’s victim, R. Hewitt, played beautiful backhands down the line and served like a machine-gun. The women’s matches were domin-

ated by Miss Jan Lehane, who gave MFs W. J. Tinnock the biggest hiding she has received since junior days. Mulligan was jokingly chided by the New South Wales team manager, Mr Russell, when he and Hewitt took five sets to win their doubles.

“What’s the idea?” said Mr Russell. “Those old fellows (Robson and McKenzie) have already retired four times.”

“Don’t you worry about that, Mr Russell,” said Mulligan earnestly. "They’re a good pair.” And so they were. Their fine effort was one of the best touches of an outstanding day’s tennis. Results:— Men’s Singles R. S. Emerson (Australia) beat F. Stolle (Australia), 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2; L. A. Gerrard (Auckland) beat M. Mulligan (Australia), 6-3, 3-6; 10-8, 6-4; J. E. Robson (Auckland) beat R. Hewitt (Australia). 10-8, 9-7. 7-5; R. Mark (Australia) beat G. Pares (Australia). 6-8, 6-1,- 7-5. 6-1. Women’s Singles Mrs M. Reitano (Australia) beat Miss B Nelson (Wellington), 6-2, 6-3; Miss B Holstein (Australia) beat Miss S. Cox (Wellington), 6-1, 8-6; Miss R M. 'Morrison (Auckland) beat Miss M Johnston (Wellington), 6-1, 6-2; Miss J. Lehane (Australia), beat Mrs W. J. Tinnock (Auckland). 6-1. 6Men’s Doubles Emerson and Mark beat Stolle and Pares, 9-11, 3-6, 6-3, 8-3, 6-2; Mulligan and Hewitt beat Robson and R. S McKenzie. 6-1.'5-7, 6-4. 3-6, 7Women’s Doubles Misses Lehane and Holstein beat Mrs Tinnock and Miss Johnston, 6-3, 6-3; Mrs Reitano and Mis* N.

Turner (Australia) beht Misses Morrison and Cox, 9-7, 6-3. Mixed Doubles

Emerson and Miss Cox beat Hewitt and Miss Holstein, 6-4. 7-5: Mulligan and Miss Lehane beat A S. Burns (Auckland) and Miss Nelson. 6-3. 6-4.