Gerrard And Miss Morrison Both Win At Wellington

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29401, 31 December 1960, Page 7

Gerrard And Miss Morrison Both Win At Wellington

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, December 30. L. A. Gerrard and Miss R. Morrison, the reigning national champions, took the Wellington tennis singles titles at Central Park today when they defeated R. N. Hawkes and Miss J. Glenie respectively in straight sets. Gerrard, with B. E. Woolf, won the men’s doubles, Misses Glenie and E. Green took the women's doubles, and Gerrard won his third title when he combined with Miss Morrison to defeat I. Crookenden and Miss A. Smith in the final of the mixed doubles.

In the men’s singles the windy conditions suited Hawkes more than Gerrard for the powerful stroking champion found the ball playing tricks to upset his rhythm on the damp court. Miss Morrison was too steady for Miss Glenie in the women’s singles. She hit her ground strokes firmly and seldom appeared in trouble. Miss Glenie appeared somewhat nervous and was tentative in her forehand driving—a department of her game in which she had excelled in reaching the final. Her backhand withstood a solid working from Miss Morrison but the New Zealand champion had the upper hand throughout.

In the men’s doubles final, Clarke and Chester combined perfectly and, demonstrating excellent judgment and touch when required, forced their much more experienced opponents to concede the first set after they had been down, 4-5 and 5-6. The top seeds then started to function better and applying the pressure they won the second and third sets. In the women’s doubles, Misses Johnston and Davidson led, 6-5 and 40-0, in the first set against Misses Green and Glenie, but they lost the Advantage and the set two games later. The second set saw the Auckland pair in front all the way and they took the title at 6-4.

Results:— Men’s Singles.—L. A. Gerrard beat R. N. Hawkes. 7-5, 6-4, 6-3. Women's Singles.—Miss R. Morrison beat Miss J. Glenie. 6-3, 6-1. Men's Doubles. —Gerrard and B. E. Woolf beat A. E. Chester and R. G. Clarke. 6-8. 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. t

Women’s Doubles.—Misses Glenie and E Green beat’ Misses J. Davidson and M. Johnston, 8-6, 6-4.

Mixed Doubles.—Gerrard and Miss Morrison beat I. Crookenden and Miss Smith. 8-6. 6-2. Men’s Plate.—l. Crookenden beat G. Scott. 6-4, 6-1.

Women’s Plate.—Miss S. Melrose beat Mrs E. Wentzel, 6-2, 6-4.