Tennis starts, and N.Z. girl impresses in defeat

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32779, 2 December 1971, Page 26

Tennis starts, and N.Z. girl impresses in defeat

International tennis affairs had somewhat overshadowed tennis itself in the days leading up to the opening of the Benson and Hedges women’s tournament yesterday, but the girls have now shown some of the skills which have brought them world renown.

One of them refused her New Zealand opponent even a game, another reluctantly gave away one. A third won a first set comfortably but struggled for the second, and a fourth got herself into a precarious position indeed.

Much to the delight of the crowd it was a Canterbury woman, Miss R. Legge, who gave the most notable performance of the losers, although it would have to be admitted she struck the most vulnerable opponent. Miss Legge, New Zealand's second woman and Canterbury’s first, had a wonderful chance of winning her first set with the 21-year-old Australian, Miss L. Hunt, when she broke service for 4-2. TIE-BREAK DECISION

But she dropped her own immediatelv and the set went on to a tense tie-break, at 8-8. which Miss Legge lost. Afterwards, her game deteriorated. It was a grand scene at Wilding Park for the tournament’s opening day. Stands and fixtures looked immaculate. shining in new paint, and the overseas, visitors were immediatelv impressed with the standard of the grass courts. The Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association is striving to excel in probably the most ambitious project on which it has embarked. Its line umpires marched in file on to the courts in uniform maroon blazers; its umpires were of the best quality. GAVE THEIR BEST In return, the women went about their business with a purpose which distinguished them from some other tournament players. They gave the public the best of their wares. Blonde, tanned and dressed in natty shorts, the young Miss Hunt, a member of the

Australian Federation Cup team which won in Perth nearly a year ago, had her problems with Miss Legge, herself a Federation Cup representative. . Miss Hunt has played little of recent weeks and she has suffered from tonsilitis. As a result her game was a little rusty. Even taking this into account. Miss Legge’s fine display in pushing her so close in the first set was worthy of praise. She served with pace and direction, she hit her ground shots strongly and she hit some decisive winning volleys. FOREHAND POWER Miss Hunt, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon this year only to lose to Miss E. Goolagong, took some time to find her best form. Her forehand passing shot was a great friend but she was losing with too many loose ones. After Miss Legge’s break for 4-2, Miss Hunt recovered with a break and thev battled it out evenly until 7-7 when Miss Hunt broke. Miss Legge then showed her own fighting qualities by breaking back and they were ih the

tie-break which Miss Hunt won, 7-3. It was then that Miss Legge lapsed. The shots that were going in earlier went out and she could not find the lines with drive or volley. > There was a considerable difference from the last time these two met; Miss Hunt won then, 6-1, 6-1. SLOW STARTER New Zealand's top player, Miss M. Pryde, of Wellington, an overseas tourist for the last two years, was a slow starter against Miss V. Zlegenfuss, a 22-year-old from San Diego, California. Tail and lithe, Miss Ziegenfuss plays an aggressive game. She has strong legs, and the reduced backswing on her service means she uses the minimum of energy in its production and is able to control it to a nicety. Miss Ziegenfuss took the first set in double quick time, allowing Miss Pryde only one game for 1-5, but,in the second set, Miss Pryde showed some of the advantages of her touring when , she struggled hard for 44 before dropping the last two games. The Other two overseas players were too much for their New Zealand opponents. The delights that flow from the racket of Mrs B; J. King are going to make this tournament something to remember. FINEST RECORD With Mrs Court out of the game because she is pregnant, and Miss Goolagong ill and'suffering a number of reverses recently, Mrs King is certainly the best woman player in the world at present. And in spite of her loss at Wimbledon, she has the best record among the world’s women for the year. Everything she did yesterday lived up to her exalted position. Mrs C. Armitage, of Canterbury, was very nervous when faced with this test before a crowd but she played courageously and took a game, as many had predicted for 1-3 in the second set. This success included a slashing smash. Apart from that she found Mrs King’s spurt service placed tantalisingly, very difficult to handle and she was usually hitting , it. too late.

When she tried to attack, she bore the brunt of some brilliant passing shots, especially the whipped one on the backhand. LOST HER LENGTH Miss C. Fleming, of Auckland, the third woman on the New: Zealand -list, could make nd impression on the fleetfooted Frenchwoman, Miss F. Durr, who did not lose a game. Miss Durr disappointed when she lost to Mrs J. Dalton in Wellington; she played much better when she beat Mrs Dalton in Auckland; and now she looks as if she is very much at home on the grass. ’ Her awkward style hides deceptively quick shots and her speed round the court led her to brilliant winners. Miss Fleming did not retain the consistent length for which she is noted. Outstanding anticipation and firm driving enabled Miss Hunt and her fellow Australian, Miss K. Melville, to beat Mrs Armitage and Miss Legge 6-1, 6-0 in the doubles at the end of the day. Even then, inany of the spectators had not had enough. They went to the back courts to watch the women practising.