LAWN TENNIS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 179, 23 April 1924, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

INTER-’VARSITY TOURNEY

W. A. FOTHERINGHAM DEFEATS E. B. W. SMYTH

In dull but windy weather the inter’varsity lawn tennis competitions were continued yesterday on the Wellington Club courts, when . all but the ladies’ doubles and combined doubles were brought to finality. The final of the Men’s Singles was won by W. A. Fotheringham, of Auckland, who defeated E. B. W. Smyth, of Otago, in straight sets, 6 —3, 6— t. This game produced a remarkable exhibition of steadiness and cooness on the port of Fotheringham. Smyth is a strong driver and within the service lino a heavy and effective emasher. With the fixed intention of not allowing his opponent to play his favourite shots. Fotheringham indulged in perfect lobbing to within feot of the back line. The gamo was far from spectacular, and there were not wanting those who thought it very dull, but there were none to be found who would deny tho effectiveness of the winner’s tactics. . Far from possessing a robust constitution, Fotheringham showed how well he had learned to conserve his energy, for, never at any timo found out of position, or forced out of position, he played his shots with a confidence and precision that were almost machine-like in their monotony and regularity. The tactics were clearly disconcerting to Smyth, who was uncertain whether to take the net or remain back, not knowing what the next shot would bring; forth. The result was a complete breaking up of Smyth’s driving game. That Fotheringham could move fast over tho court was proved when a vital game point was at stake. The regularity of the uncannily perfect lobbing was sometimes interrupted by a brilliant smash Fotheringham would make after going in on one of his rare drives which shared, with his lobbing, the merit of length. To play Fotheringham’s game demands infinite patience, anil to defeat it requires equal patience and precision. As a combination, I. .A. Seay and BB. Loughnan (Canterbury) were superior to E. B. W. Sinyth and R. G. Lusk (Otago), and therefore, although pushed to 7—5 in the second set, had no difficulty in winning in straight sets. The match resolved itself into one of severity of service (all four were above the average at least in that), and volleying at.close quarters. In this latter department the superiority of the Canterbury representatives was most marked. Lusk was the weakest of the four and all too frequently netted easy returns. The| cleanest volleyer of the four, and the most effective was Seay, although he lacked Loughnan’s overhead brilliancy and vigour of service, a heavily sliced ball fast to the side line. Smyth was more than usually erratic in his driving with a tendency to drive over the back line rather than into the net. He was not allowed to exercise his penchant for smashing. All four were quick to seize any openings and exploit them to tho full. The final of the ladies’ singles between Miss M. Tracy (Wellington) and Miss E. Ballantyne (Otago), and won by the former 9—5, was noteworthy for the splendid fight which Miss Ballantyne made to pull the game out of the fire. Both ladies, exercising extreme caution, payed from tho back line, a game altogether devoid of dash, ‘but punctuates by long rallies., in which both made splendid recoveries. The frequency with which Miss Ballantyne, forced to defend, was able to turn defence into attack fully merited the applause with which such trhnsiformations wei'o greeted. But for an obviously bad decision by the umpire in giving a brilliant smash of Miss Tracy’s out, the match would have ended in her favour, 9—2. Tho game was won by Miss Ballantyne. In the two succeeding games Miss Tracy led, 40—9, and after Miss Ba lantvne had, by magnificent fighting, with her back to the wall, reached to deuce, Miss Tracy hold the advantage several times, only to lose both games. She made* no mistake with the fourteenth gamo. In tfho semi-final of tho combined doubles. R. R. Young and Miss R. Gardner (Wellington) ran B. B. Loughnan and Miss W. M. Partridge (Canterbury) to three sets, before admitting defeat a , S, 6 —4, 6 —l. Loughnan showed splendid match play experience never playing a hard smash, when a soft one would do. Miss Gardner made heroic struggles to lob with length, but .was unab.e to accommodate herself to the tost pace- Young frequently won points by brilliant drives for clean placements. . borne excellent tennis was witnessed the match between I. A. Seay and MISS G. M. Partridge (Canterbury) and E. B. W. Smyth and Miss E. Ballan tone. (Otago). Seay stood O ut a hovo the four, driving, volleying, smashing and serving with great consistency, but oftentimes interfering with the chances oi his partner making an effective return. Miss Partridge, on nearly every occasion in, which she engaged Smyth at the net in a volleying ral.y, had the best of the deal. She was continually evoking applause for her clean, crap volleys, to parts of the court which the opposition, very foolishly, it seemed, left as open as a door. The effect of the strenuous singles upon Miss Ballantyne was only too patent as she was unable to do herself justice in this match, netting and hitting out in a disheartening manner. MEN’S SINGLES. Final: W. A. Fotheringham (Auckland) l>eat E. B. W. Smyth (Otago), 6—3, 6—4. MEN’S DOUBLES. Semi-finals: I. A. Stay and B. B. Loughnan (Canterbury) beat J. Fulton and H. Wilkinson (Otago), 6—4. 6— w - S'nyth and R. Q. Lusk (Otago) won from W. A. Fotheringham and J. Harnsbn (Auckland) by default (Harrison had to return to Auckland). tonal: I. A. Seay and B. B. Loughnan (Canterbury) beat E. B. W. Smyth and R. G. Lusk (Otago). 6—l, 7—5. LADIES’ SINGLES. Second round: Miss E. M. Partridge (Canterbury) beat Miss E. PragneH (Otago), 9—4, after a renlav. Semi-finals: Miss E. Ballantyne (Otago) beat Miss W. M. Partridge (Canterbury) 9—7; Miss M'. Tracy (Wellington) boat Miss E. M. Partridge (Canterbury), 9—3. i ’Eracy (Wellington) beat Miss E. Ballantyne (Otago), 9—5. COMBINED DOUBLES. First round: R. R. T. Young and Miso R. Gardner (Wellington) beat W A Fotheringham and Miss H. S. Mueller (Auckland), 6 —4, 6—3. Semi-finals: I. A. Seay and Miss E M. Partridge (Canterbury) bent D B W Smyth and Miss E. Ballantyne (Otago). 6 —3, 6—4; B. B. Loughnan and Miss W. M. Partridge (Canterbury) beat R. R. T. Young and Miss R. Gardner (Wellington), 6—B, 6—4, 6—l. LADIES’ DOUBLES. Semi-final: Misses E'. M. and W. M Partridge (Canterbury) beat Misses E. Ballantyne and E. Dragnet! (Otago). 9—7. CANTERBURY TOURNAMENT RESULTS OF FINAL GAMES. (BY telegraph.—Press association.) Christchurch, April 22. Following are tho results of tho con. eluding games in the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association’s Easter tournament; Junior Open Singles.—N. Barlcw boat. A. M. Hamilton, (i —3, 7 —5. Men’s Handicap Singles, second grade. —Fish (scr.) beat Bod, 9—l. I/lilies’ Championship Singles.—Miss Spiers beat Mrs. Melody, 6 —2, 6 —l. Ladies’ Handicap Singhs, second grade.—Miss L. Johnston (scr.) beat Mrs. Fleming (owe 30), 9—2. Combined Handicap Doubles, second grade—Mira Armstrong and Edwards boat Limb and Hall, 9—2.

TILDEN RESIGNS FROM AMERICAN TEAMS RESULT OF AMATEUR RULING. Philadelphia, April 21. W. T. Tilden, the tennis champion, announces his resignation from thi, American Davis Cup team and from the Olympic team which is to represent the United States. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. April 22, 7.25 p.m.) New York, April 21. Tildn’s sudden announcement of the resignation of his membership of the Davis Cup eligibles in order to free the committee from the embarrassment attendant on its amateur ruling, camo both as a surprise and a shock to tennis circles, which consider the step, if not retraced, will be a most serious blow to America’s chances to retain the trophy. The committee originally announced'that the rule would not be enforced until 1925, but recently tho complete con. tents of the committee’s report, was published, outlining in great detail tho arguments against players writing journalistically. and even giving the estimates of Tilden’s newspaper earnings at 20,006 dollars a year. This, it is understood, offended Tilden and caused his decision to retire immediately. It is not clear whether also he docs not intend to narticipate in any national fixhires under the supervision of the United States National Lawn tennis Association, but it is known that he recently contracted to write an extensive series of articles during the coming tennis season. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [The United States Lawn Tennis Association, at its annual meeting, adopted an interpretation of the amateur rule under which players are barred from competition if they write for financial profit.] BRITISH HARD COURT CHAMPIONSHIP BROOKS BEATEN BY CRAWFORD. (Rec. April 22, 9.25 p.m.) London, April 21. In tho British hard courts championships, in the second round of the men’s singles, Leighton Crawford beat Brooks, 2—6, 6—l, 7—5, 6—2.—Reuter. WANGANUI TOURNAMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wanganui, April 22. The Easter tennis tournament was concluded to-day. Results:— Men’s doubles championship—Lampe and Wheeler defeated Russ and Marshall. 6- -3, 6 —3. Ladies’ singles championship—Miss Scott beat Mrs. Law, 6—3, B—lo,8 —10, and Mrs. Law retired.