WELLINGTON TITLES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29112, 26 January 1960, Page 7

WELLINGTON TITLES

Gerrard Wins Final

(New Zealana Press Association) _W E’ILINGTON, January 25. On the final day today of the Wellington tennis championships L. A. Gerrard demonstrated to the best crowd for many years his class as both a single and doubles player. The entry of Gerrard and M. A. Otway, his fellow Aucklander, made the tournament a great success. Gerrard, the North Island and New Zealand singles champion, added the Wellington title to his collection when he convincingly beat Otway in the final of the men’s singles, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.

The court was heavy and the wind gusty, but Gerrard gave the crowd and his opponent a sample of his best shots. Gerrard attacked constantly and forced Otway to hit many balls out of court. The wind caused both players, but more especially Otway, to double fault: The women’s singles title went to Miss J. Davidson, of Canterbury, who beat Miss M. Johnston in. three sets. This was the first match of the day and the court was heavy, but both players played shots that made the match far from dull. Miss Davidson used her powerful service to advantage, and both players hit their ground strokes hard. Miss Johnston made more use of the net, but cleanly hit passing shots from Miss Davidson put a closure on this method of attack, especially in the third set. Men’s Doubles

In the men’s doubles final Otway and Gerrard had more difficulty with R. S. McKenzie and J. R. McDonald than was expected. The first set opened with two service breaks and finished with McDonald dropping his service at 5- McDonald, however, showed good touch and volleyed more firmly than yesterday. He and McKenzie took the third set, 6-1, on the New Zealand champions’ errors, but in the fourth set the (result never looked in doubt, Otway and Gerrard winning it, 6Misses Johnston and Davidson won the women’s doubles title by defeating Mesdames T. McGregor and E. Wentzel without dropping a game. They were far too mobile and powerful for their opponents. J. A. Barry and Miss Johnston won the mixed doubles against F. Scarlett and Miss Davidson. All the players had their moments, but Barry’s leadership carried the day. Results of the finals were:— Men’s Singles.—L. A. Gerrard (Auckland) beat M. A. Otway (Auckland), 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. Women’s Singles.—Miss J. Davidson (Canterbury) beat Miss M. Johnston (Wellington), 5-7, 6-3, 6-3. Men’s Doubles.—Gerrard and Otway beat R. S. McKenzie and J. R. McDonald, 7-5, 9-7, 1-6, 6-3. Women’s Doubles.—Misses John-

ston and Davidson beat Mesdames T. McGregor and E. Wentzel, 6-0, 6-0. Mixed Doubles.—Barry and Miss Johnston beat Scarlett and Miss Davidson, 7-5, 6-4. Men’s Plate.—D. G. Campbell (Auckland) beat D. Ogier (Wairarapa), 6-3, 6-2. Women’s Plate.—Miss D. Davies beat Mrs B. Burns, 6-3, 1-6, 8-6.