Bid for rank

Press, 25 February 1978, Page 56

Bid for rank

Although she did not campaign on the national tennis circuit this summer, Shirley Haig will be a strong contender for her old position of no. I on the Canterbury ranking list.

In the latest round of ranking matches at Wilding Park, she beat Christine Newton, who was runner-up to Marilyn Tesch (Australia) in the New Zealand women’s singles final last month. Mrs Haig was ranked first in 1976 but dropped to fifth place last year because of limited appearances: she became a proud mother early in the season. She has been playing impressively in strong company at Wilding Park this year and her victory against Miss Newton was important to her chances of regaining the top position.

Another significant result was the win by Judith Phillips against last year’s no. 1 player, Sally Chapman, in three sets.

Miss Phillips made a late start to the season after returning from England but Miss Chapman has lacked

her usual sparkle after the tough grind of overseas tournaments. The result might signal the start of a late charge by Miss Phillips. In the men’s matches, the B.N.Z. grand prix leaders, Warren Edgecumbe, Ralph Webster, and Stephen Harley, all had wins, although the latter two were pushed to the limit by their opponents, Rhett Mason and Alan Croad. Results:—

R. D. Webster beat R. Mason, 7-5, 7-6: S. Harley beat A. Croad, 7-5, 7-6; W. Edgecumbe beat B Finch, 6-2, 7-5; M. Purcell beat B. Middleton, 6-0, 6-4; R. Dillon beat T. Redmond, 6-1, 6-2; D. Lawn beat B. T. Knight, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5; W. Thom beat S. Chambers, 7-5, 6-3; S. Agar beat A. Plank, 6-1, 6-3; A. Chapman beat T. Cliff, 6-1, 6-7, 6-1; D. Hunt beat D. Chapman, 6-3, 6-3; M. Siblev beat P. Gilmour, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1; D. McKav beat D. W. Haworth, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

A. Davidson beat L. Brown. 6-0, 6-1; E. Smith beat V. Fittock, 6- 6-4; R. R. Hunt beat J. Macdonald, 6-0. 6-1; J. M. PhiUips beat S. E. Chapman, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, S. E. Haig beat C. I. Newton, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4; S. Field beat L. Cowie, 6-4, 6-2; J. E. Wilson beat L. Lewthwaite, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0; C. Oakley beat P. Lewthwaite, 641, 7-