LAWN TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 104, 28 January 1924, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS

WELLINGTON LADDER D. FRANCE DEFEATS L. FRANCE CLUB COMPETITIONS In the beginning' of December last year D. France’s defeat of J. C. Peacock brought him into second place on the association ladder. He challenged li i<4 brother, L. Flrance, for first place, and was decisively defeated in two straight-out sets, G —3, 6 —o. On Saturday he made a second attempt, and, after a match extending to three sets, established his right to the head of the ladder, the scores being 6—4, 2—6, 6—4. An examination of the score sheet showed that both players won 14 games each, but L. France, the loser, had 98 points to Iris tally, and D. France, the winner. 97 points. The Wellington public had grown so accustomed to L. France winning his ladder matches that few, if any, for one moment imagined that he would suffer defeat this time. Great credit must be given to D. France for his daring game, and the risks he took. He realised that mere carefulness, backed up by nothing else, would avail him nothing. If he held the odd point he served hard, or drove hard for the next. It was a policy that proved, successful, but was also responsible tor a few double faults when serving. His drives, made by stepping into the ball and taking it at the height of its bound, were very severe, and of a length, so good that he was able to volley the return for a winner. He did more volleying than did L. France, some of them wonderful recoveries. The most of his driving was to within inches of the side lines, and he frequently passed L. France cleanly as he came into the net. This latter player, playing with a steel racket, pursued his usual tactics, chopping heavily, maintaining a good length, and going olose to the lines. But lie was opposed by. a man who was right at the top of bis game, and knew it, and who throughout the first and third sets held, the mastery. Edmondson beat O’Brien 6 —4, 6 3. In the second set O’Brien led 3 love, but Edmondson won the next six games. THORNDON CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP The following are the results to date of the Thorndoai Club championship men’s singles:— " First round: Barkman beat Andrews g_o 6_2 6—3; Smith beat Pigou by default; 'Wheeler beat’Hemery, 4-6, G—l, 7—5, 6—2; Smyth beat Gore; Tolhurst beat Master; D. France beat Edmondson, 6-4, 6—o, 6—o; R. Young beat Reeves 3—6, 6—2, 6-3, 6-4; Humphries beat Fair 6-0, 6-4, 6-2; Parker beat Leicester 6-1, 6—l, 6-3; Mayo beat Park ff—2, 6 —3, 4 —6, 6—3. Second round: L. France beat Wright g_l, g—3. 6—3; Parker beat Mayo 6—3, 3 —6, 6 —4, 13 —11. BROUGHAM HILL CLUB The following are the results of games in connection with the Brougham Hilf Club championships, played on Saturjfen’s singles: W. Ralph beat R. Toomatli, 6-4, 6—4; W. T. Harbison beat E. Pankhurst 6—3, 6—2; H. Smith beat P. Allardyce 6 —l, 6 —o; T, Paul beat A. V. Jenkins 6—l, 6—2. Men’s doubles: Penlmgton and Nevill beat N. Watkins and Sunley 6—3, 6—l; Paul and Port beat Demuth. and Manton 6—3, 9 —7. ' , Combined, doubles: Mrs. Nome and Ferkins beat Miss H. Wallis and W. Fisher, 9—l; Mrs Brown and H. V. Howe beat Miss Smedley and Allardyce 9—5; Miss Tucker and. Tucker beat Miss ~>. Howe and Wearue 9—2Ladies’ singles: Miss H Ballingall beat Miss V. Elliott 9—6. ladies doubles: Misses S. and G. Jenkins beat Misses M. and D. Howe 9—7. AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS ANDERSON BEATS HONE (Rec. January 27, 5.5 p.m.) Melbourne, January 26. At the Australian tennis championships, in the semi-final of the men s singles, played on Friday, Anderson defeated Hone, 6 —2, 6 —3, 6—2. Anderson soon found his length, l and kept Hone away from the net. . As an exhibition the game was spoiled, as las services were excellent, not necessitating any rallies. ■ Kalms and Willard, who were defeated by Patterson and O’Hara Wood in the doubles, have yet to learn tneir positions in doubles play. The losers executed a number of fine drives, but took a lot of risks, tossing to two such deadly smashers. Later. Owing to heavy rain the tennis contests were postponed until Monday.— Press Assn. DAVIS CUP HOLLAND CHALLENGES IN EUROPEAN ZONE (Rec. January 27, 11.50 p.m.) New York, January 26. Holland has challenged for the Davis Cup in the European zone.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. o