AUCKLAND TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 82, 31 December 1929, Page 10

AUCKLAND TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

BARTLEET RETAINS HORNE CUP MRS. W. J. MELODY WINS SINGLES TITLE Dominion Special Service. Auckland, December 30. The third day’s play in the Auckland championships commenced at 1.30 p.m., on soddeu courts, in a light drizzle. In spite of lavish use of sawdust, players had great difficulty in obtaining a foothold. Even under the adverse conditions, however, some excellent tennis was witnessed, the games between Bartleet and Charters, and Sturt and Morrison being brimful of incident. Bartleet was fully extended to beat the youthful Whangarei left-hander Charters, 6—2 in the fifth set, the full score reading 3 —6, 6—2, 6—l, 2 —6, 6—2. Morrison, whose consistency has been a feature of the tournament, defeated his more< brilliant opponent Sturt, B—6. 6—2, 6—4, and thus qualified to meet Bartleet in the final. In the ladies’ doubles, Mesdames. Melody and Arneil proved too strong for Mrs. Napier and Miss Ramsay, whom they defeated, 6—2, 6—3. Misses Knight and Whitelaw defeated the Miller sisters. Some interesting games in the men’s doubles were witnessed when Stedman and Sturt defeated the All Black Lucas and Milne (junior National hardcourt doubles champion), 6—3, 6—l, 4—6, 4—6, 6—3, and then went on to defeat the veterans Clark and Griffiths, 10—8, 6—l, 6—o. Johns and Morrison also played brilliantly to defeat Hubble and Nicholson, 6—4, 4—6, 6—2, I—6, 6 —3. Hobbs and Brough, the Waikato pair, defeated Melody and Hardy, 6 —B, 11 —13, 12—10, 7—5, 7 —5, after over three hours’ play on a sodden court. Miss Knight Defeats Miss Macfarlane. The meeting between Miss Marjorie Macfarlane (Dominion champion and five times Auckland champion) and Miss Beryl Knight in the semi-final of the ladies’ singles on the fourth day of the tournament occasioned tremendous interest, and was marked by a dazzling display of backhand driving and volleying on the part of the latter, who caused a sensation by running out a winner 4—6, 6— 4, 6 —2, after leading 3—l, 4—3 in the first set, and 5 —2 in the second and third sets. Miss Knight well deserved her win against her doughty opponent, her tennis, except in the middle of the second set, being absolutely flawless. Mrs. Melody defeated Auckland’s second string, Miss Ramsay, who has improved wonderfully of late, by 6—2, 6—l. A Brilliant Final. The final between Auckland and Wellington was responsible for much brilliant all-court tennis, Miss Knight’s impregnable backhand ' being matched against Mrs. Melody’s severely accurate forehand. Throughout the match both ladies served and returned service splendidly,- some wonderful courtcraft being displayed by both. Mrs. Melody attacked resolutely from the outset and overwhelmed her opponent with the loss of but two games in the first set. The second set was a dour struggle, the "Aucklander leading 3—l, only to see the score called 4-all after some strenuous all-court play. Miss Knight eventually won the set 6 —4 after being van out in each of the two final games. The third set was a ding-dong struggle. Mrs. Melody leading by the odd game till 6-all' was called. Miss Knight then won her opponent’s service to lead 7 — 6, but the Kelburn lady retaliated in like manner and went on to lead B—7, and van in, but Miss Knight saved the game with a lucky netcord after a brilliant rally. Not to be denied, however, Mrs. Melody clapped on the pace and ran out a good winner, 6—2, 4—6, 10—8. Miss Knight had her revenge in the ladies’ doubles, she and Miss Whitelaw defeating the holders, Mesdames Melody and Arneil, 6—4, 6 —2, after a bright game. Bartleet Retains Horne Cup. Bartleet, by defeating Morrison, 4—6, 6—l, 7—5, 9—7, retained the Horne Gup. The match, except for the first set which Morrison won convincingly, was a very poor exhibition, very few balls travelling past the service line and numerous easy balls being netted. Morrison retrieved with his usual persistence, but bis form was far below that of Saturday, The mixed doubles are still in the middle stages. SOUTHLAND TOURNEY By Telegraph.—Press Association. Invercargill, December 30. The Southland Tennis Association’s Christmas tournament was concluded today. The following are the championship winners: — Men’s Singles.—H. K. Sumpter. Men’s Doubles. —H. K. Sumpter and G. Sumpter. Ladies’ Singles.—Mrs. W. Scott (Timaru). Girls (Junior). —Miss J. Harvey. Boys (Junior)? —W. Strang. MOLDENHAUER DEAD Berlin, December 29. The German international tennis player, Muldenhauer, died of Injuries due to a motor-car in which he was travelling colliding with a tramcar. Two other occupants of the motor-car were slightly injured, and the third seriously.