Fairlie Wins Title At N.S.W. Tennis

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30914, 22 November 1965, Page 3

Fairlie Wins Title At N.S.W. Tennis

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) SYDNEY. New Zealand’s outstanding junior tennis player, the 17-year-old Brian Fairlie, of Auckland, won the men’s intermediate (under 23) singles title at the New South Wales championships yesterday.

Fairlie gave a tenacious display to beat the top seed, Alan Stone, of Victoria, 6-8,8-6,6-2.

The New Zealander, seeded four, who has struggled from behind to win many of his

matches in this championship, again gave an indomitable display.

He had two extremely tough matches on Saturday but came back yesterday full of vim to wear down his more experienced opponent. The match, played in cold and windy conditions, produced some excellent tennis. CRISP VOLLEYING

Stone, serving powerfully and volleying crisply, had a slight edge in the first set, and in a battle of big services Fairlie was the first to break. The second set was a replica of the first but this time it was Stone’s service which was broken after Fairlie had whipped across two superb passing shots. Stone had no answer to the irrepressible New Zealander in the third set. Fairlie. covering the court with great speed, returned everything in reach. He frequently forced errors at the net after Stone had apparently hit' winners. His service also stood up to the pressure well and at the end he was right on top. HIS BEST WIN Fairlie later said he considered the win his best in Australia. The New Zealander, who has been hailed by local critics as a future international star, said his tennis had improved immensely since going to Australia. “The competition is much greater over here,” he said. “Stone is very highly ranked in Victoria.” The title was a welldeserved climax to a successful tournament for Fairlie who narrowly lost the junior final on Saturday. He was beaten, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 by the Western Australian, Gary Penberthy. The two youngsters thrilled

the centre court crowd with some dazzling tennis. Penberthy’s accurate ground shots and his kicking service often worried the New Zealander. However, Fairlie fully extended him with a fine display of serving and volleying.

Penberthy was the first to settle down. He got his service working well with a lot of kick and allowed himself plenty of time to come in behind it and volley Fairlie’s returns away. Games went with service early, but Penberthy broke Fairlie’s service in the ninth

game, then held his own serve to win the set.

Fairlie played much better in the next set and raced away to a 5-1 lead. Penberthy led 2-0 in the third set after breaking Fairlie’s service to love. Serving and volleying forcefully, Fairlie won two games to level at 2-2.

Penberthy getting more power into his service and volleys, then went to 4-3. Fairlie looked nervous in the final game and he missed two easy shots as Penberthy held his service to clinch the match.