LAWN TENNIS GERRARD BEATS BARRY EASILY IN N.I FINAL

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29097, 8 January 1960, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS GERRARD BEATS BARRY EASILY IN N.I FINAL

(New Zealand Press Association) HAMILTON, January 7. L. A. Gerrard, of Auckland, hit his way to favouritism for the national tennis title yesterday when he beat J. A, Barry (Manawatu) in the North Island final with the loss of only two games.

In winning, 6-1, 6-1, Gerrard displayed all-round superiority. On a heavy and slippery court the speed of his passing shots left Barry unhappily stranded. Barry also had difficulty with his service and this weak point Gerrard hammered mercilessly.

Gerrard’s was a brief but devastating appearance, and the win took him only 40 minutes. Miss R. Morrison beat Miss M. Johnston (Wellington), 6-3, 6-4, in the final of the women’s singles. Miss Johnston matched the champion in everything except steadiness on vital points R. S. McKenzie (Wellington) and J. E. Robson (Auckland) bowed out with uncharacteristic tameness in the men’s doubles when they were beaten by M. A.

Otway and Gerrard, 6-4, 6-4. McKenzie was out of touch on his returns of service and anywhere near the net Otway and Gerrard had too much power. Gerrard was the best of the four.

In the final of the boys’ under--19 singles, the victory, clear-cut and decisive, went to the tall, slim Waikato left-hander, I. Crookenden. He beat R. Clarke, of Wellington, 6-1, 6-3. It was a better match than the men’s singles, producing a classic brand of tennis, speed on service, sharpness on volley, accuracy with recovery, and power and control on drives. It has been a fine tournament for Crookenden with a set taken from M. A. Otway in the open singles, and a brilliant and tense victory over J. B. Souter (Wellington) in the boys’ semi-finals. Results:— SENIOR Men’s Singles Final.—L. A. Gerrard (Auckland) beat J. A. Barry (Manawatu), 6-1, 6-1. Women’s Singles Final.—Miss R. Morrison (Auckland) beat Miss M. Johnston (Wellington), 6-3, 6-4. Men’s Doubles Final.—Gerrard and M. A. Otway (Auckland) beat J. E. Robson (Auckland) and R. S. McKenzie (Wellington). 6-4, 6-4. Women’s Doubles Final.—Mrs H. Robson and Miss Morrison (Auckland) beat Misses E. Green and B. Wright (Auckland), 6- 6-1. Mixed Doubles Final.—Gerrard and Miss Morrison beat Robson and Mrs Robson, 6-3, 7UNDER 19 Boys’ Singles Final.—l. Crookenden (Waikato) beat R. Clarke (Wellington), 6-1, 6-3. Boys’ Doubles Final.—J. Walker (Waikato) and K. O’Carroll (Northland) beat L. Green and G. Jefferson (Waikato), 6-2, 6-4.

Girls* Singles Final.—Miss E. Green (Auckland) beat Miss A. Smith (Waikato), 7-5, 6-1. UNDER 17 Boys* Singles Final.—M. McNamee (Auckland) beat G. Jefferson (Waikato), 6-2, 6-2. Girls* Singles Final.—Miss E. Terry (Waikato) beat Miss P. O’Carroll (Northland), 6-3, 6-4. Girls’ Doubles Final.—Misses G. Landells and A. Smith beat Misses Terry and O’Carroll. 6-3, 7-5.