English Tennis: Singles Titles Go Overseas

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 63, 8 December 1936, Page 16

English Tennis: Singles Titles Go Overseas

KARL SCHRODER, the twenty-two-year-old Swede, became for the first time‘the covered court champion by beating the holder, Jean Borotra, in the final at the National indoor meeting at Queen's Club, West Kensington, by three sets to love (8-6, 6-1, 9-7) on October 17 (writes Hamilton Price, in “The Sunday Times.”)

The match proved to be such an attraction that the gates had to be closed at an early hour. Among those who watched a really memorable encounter were Sir Samuel Hoare, Lady Maud Hoare, and Sir Herbert Wilberforce. Schroder is as daring on the volley as Borotra, and lie belongs to the school which favours the taking of the ball on the rise and the imparting of top-spin to make it dip. Borotra. of course, realised that it was most important for him to make every effort to win the opening set, as he was giving away nearly 15 years to a man who possesses a marvellous physique and reserve of stamina, and what an effort it was! The holder of the title was twice within a point of losing it when Schroder was 5-4; the Basque was within an ace of winning it, when' he was ahead nt 6-5 and-held the advantage point on his service. On these occasions neither man lacked courage, and defiance and not defence governed the proceedings. Each strove manfully to gain the net, and some of the volleying was brilliant. The Swede was destructive on the forehand volley, and Borotra superb on the backhand. Lobs were met in the fashion intended, and no mercy was shown to anything nt all short. The lawn tennis was of the kind which compels nothing but admiration, but it was so fast that Borotra, in the second set, was obviously feeling the effects, and only one game rewarded his industry. Despairing Effort. But Borotra, who has won this historic event eight times, is a great fighter, and he summoned up all his strength in the next and, what proved Io be the last, pet. It was a characteristic performance, and one that deserved a kinder fate. Borotra was in the ascendancy at 3-2, 4-3, 5-4, and 6-5, but he could, not pre-

vent the winner from catching him, and, after seven all, Schroder won Borotra’s service to put him 8-7. The next game was won by the Swede, and it was over. As good a final as any yet seen at Queen's! Youth had had its triumph, and Schrodq#’ must be praised for his-magnificent victory. Borotra’s play in the hour of defeat was heroic, and both victor and loser were warmly congratulated by Sir Samuel Hoare. who presented the handsome trophies to Schroder ami Sta. Anita Lizana, who won the women’s singles. Seldom is a man of such massive build as Schroder capable of sprinting with such speed, and, like all masters,-his anticipation is almost uncanny. One felt really sorry for Borotra, who was conquered but never demoralised. One volleyer of the highest order had met more than fits match, and he accepted defeat in the most gracious and charming manner. Schroder left the court a really happy “boy,” and one could not desire a more sporting adversary. A Chilian Champion. Sta. Lizana gave Miss R. M. Hardwick no chance whatever, wininng by 6-3, 6-0, and losing only eight aces in the second set. The little Chilian lady was (he complete player—a champion ip every sense. It was unfortunate that Miss Hardwick failed to vary her tactics, and so made the task of the new woman indoor champion easier than it ought to have been, for Miss Hardwick can play a lovely game on wood. After the match Miss Hardwick told me that she was eager to meet Sta. Lizana again, and hoped to do much better. That is the right spirit, and I am sure Miss Hardwick will do so.

The Wellington speedway, season will open at the Kilbirnie Stadium on Saturday night, and promises to be one of rhe most successful Wellington has yet enjoyed. The American loam arrived by Hie Maknra last night, anil, with local riders, will no doubt indulge in training on the dirt track at Kilbirnie between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. this evening.

Cricketers of an earlier generation will hear with regret of the death, at 57, of Ratu Pope Epili Seniloli, paramount chief of Fiji, and in his day the M. A. Noble of Fijiian cricket. He was captain of the Fijian side which tourned eastern Australia over five and twenty years ago, and made a creditable showing'. The team played in snowy lava-lavas and bare feet, and were a draw in more ways that one. The Ratu took over 100 wickets on (he tour, and was up to intcr-State form with the ball. He was a good bat. too, and reached three figures against Tasmania at Hobart.

The Johannesburg “Sunday Express” states: “Mr. N. J. Du Plessis, principal of the Klerksdorp High School, the Rugby forward who was a member of the 1921 Springbok team that toured Australia. interviewed in Potchefstroom on September 19, said: ‘I played iu a mateh against the Maoris, and while the Maoris and Europeans mix freely in New Zealand. and the Maoris are met everywhere on an equal footing, the innate South African colour liar came uppermost despite efforts to light it. One felt glad in playing against the Maoris that almost no Soul h Africans were watching. Otherwise one would have felt degraded.’ ”