LAWN TENNIS NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 7, 9 January 1915, Page 10

LAWN TENNIS NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

(By "Huka.")

The weather was good on all four days of the tournament, and the courts on tho Carisbrook ground at Dunedin played fa.st and true. On the third day, possibly the nor'-eaeter, which prevailed alj day, made it somewhat unpleasant for the spectators, but the players were glad of the cooling zephyr. If it had happened in Wellington everyone would have 6aid, "Oh, yes; windy Wellington again." There were thirty-two competitors at tho meeting — hardly a© large a gathering as was Expected, yet, taking everything into consideration, it was satisfactory Still, the future will have to be looked to, and more players encouraged to enter Seventeen men and fifteen ladies entered — Otago had eight ladies and seven men ; Hawkes Bay, one lady ; Taranaki, one lady and three men ; Canterbury, two ladies and six men; Wellington, two ladies and one man; and Auckland, one lady. Southland, Marlborough, Nelson, West Coast, and Wanganui wore not represented. MEN'S SINGLES. In the first round Warne Pearse outclassed Wilding, and it is sure that the latter was hardly in form when he met the Temuka player. He did much better in the_ doubles, and was playing splendidly in the final of the mens doubles. Wilkie upset Bray's chancos early — the latter was expected to go well through, chiefly because of his defeat of Ollivier I in the interprovincial match. Goss knew too much for Brown, of Otago, and had revenge for his defeat in the match Otago_ v. Canterbury. Ollivier was too solid in every way for Nicholson, Pearse, and Goss, and went to the final without much trouble, although bqth Goss and Pearse kept him moving, and any relaxation might have spelt ruin to him. On the lower side of the draw two veterans were found playing, namely, Borrows and Harraway. These two players have a great record, and can still put up a good game. Wallaco, the Taranaki and New Zealand champion for 1913, ended the career of both. Harraway very nicely secured the third set from Wallace; infact, it was sheer bad luck that he did not win it. When S. N. Brown pushed Dickie, of Taranaki, to five sets before the latter could win, there was quite a nutter. Jennings, who. by the by, played for Otago, smashed that promising player, Leay, of Canterbury, in a most astonishing manner, and at once paved # the way for a surprise. Leay had put in four heavy days at the Ashburton tournament, and possibly was a bit stale. Jennings, playing great tennis, settled_ Dickie, and going on was successful in putting down the holder of. the championship, Wallace. Jennings forced the game, and although both men hit hard, the Otago player had the greater accuracy of the two. In the third set, Wallace, with a great effort, made it "five all," but Jennings, with splendid passing shot 3 and good overhead work, took- the next two games — set and match. In the final against Ollivier, the excitement started early, as not only did Jennings hold Ollivier, but was steadily and repeatedly working him. out of position. Jennings led three-lovo and fourone, before the_ Canterbury player woke up, and made it four-all with hurricane serves and drives. Still Jennings held to it, and by wonderfully clever play took two games, and tho first set, 6-4. Jennings went to 4-2 in the second set, but Ollivior's game improved, and he evened the score. Tho Otago man had a. great chanco in the ninth game, getting within an ace of game twice, but missed it by over- eagerness. >Ollivior putting more "devil" into his play ran out a winner of the second set, '6-4. In tha third set OUivier led three-love, and it looked all over, but Jennings with groat play was level at four-all. He missed a great chance of winning th& ninth game, and then it was all over; tho set quickly going to Ollivier, 6-4. The last set saw Ollivier playing all over Jennings, and the set ended 6-1. Tho winner played fine tennis — his hard cross-court drives pushing- Jennings completely out of position. Jennings found the champion's service troublesome right throughout the match, and that in itself ruined Jenntngs's chances. He also failed to bring off many of his winning openings, and altogether rather fizzled out at tho finish. Tho winner's style was very free, and his strokes full of decision, whereas Jennings was very cramped and inclined to bo poky. LADIES' SINGLES. Miss Campbell, of Otago, beat Miss Hughes, the Wellington champion, somewhat easily. The winner was sure, and deserved her win. but the Pahiatua lady played a long way below her usual form. She was expected to have a great chanco of winning the event, but possibly the defeat will bo great experienco for the future. Mies Campbell played all over Miss Baird in the first set, but the latter lady then had her measure, and quickly took the second and third sets. Miss 'Brewster. Taranaki, beat Mrs. Nagle, easily, and Miss Gray, Auckland, put Mies Cook out — the latter putting up a better fight than the ecoro denotes Misses Brewster and Gray had a great fight. The former by brilliant side line shots securing tho first set after four-all had been called. Miss Gray, with accuracy and net work, led 5-3 in the second set, but her opponent made it "5 all," but the effort was too much, and Miss Gray with • grim determination took the set, 7-5. Going on she took Miss Brewster's measure, and won the third set, 6-1. In the final Miss Gray again proved her worth, and secured the championship for the third timo in succession. Miss Baird was very good in the first set. and had her opponent on the move all the time. She ted 5-2, and looked a sure winner, but Miss Gray took two games before Miss Baird secured the first set, 6-4. The excitement ran high when the Hawkes Bay player led 3-1 in the second set, but she hardly pressed her advantage enough, and although all the games were hard fought, Miss Gray took five in succession, and set 6-3. Miss Baird again attacked, and led two-love, but tho champion's experience now stood by her, and she outshone her opponent in court oraft. With splendid drives and good volleys, MI6S Gray led 5-2, but a final spurt by Miss Baird mado her score four games, then it was all over — Miss Gray with great vigour taking a love game and the championship. SOUTH CANTERBURY. The South Canterbury meeting was well attended, and_ concluded before the New Zealand meeting started. In the men's championship singles Greenwood, of Canterbury, beat White-Parsons in the semifinal, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5; Seay beat Warne Pearse, 6-3, 6-2; and in the final G. D. Seay, that young and promising Canterbury colt, won the championship by beating Greenwood, 7-5, 6-4. In the ladies' singles Mrs. Greenwood beat Miss Cotton, 7-5, 6-1 ; and Miss Baird beat Mrs. Lord, 6-3, 6-2. In the final Miss Baird beat Mrs. Greenwood, 6-3, 6-2. In the men's doubles championship, White-Parsons and Greenwood beat W. Goss and Eric Taylor, 6-4, 6-3. The ladies' handicap singles was won by Miss E. A. Bloxam -(owe 15 2-6), who j beat Miss Baird (owe 40) 9-7. MARTON. The tournament at Marton was favoured with splendid weather, and many visiting players took part. A. Powdrell beat J. G. Swainson, 6-2, 6-1, in the final of the championship singles. S. and A. Powdrell won the doubles championship from L. W. Hawkins and Hunter, 6-2, 6-0. Hawkins and Miss C. Beckett beat Thynne and Miss Hughes, 6-4, 6-2 in the combined championship. The ladies singles championship went to Miss C. Beckett, who beat Mrs. Marshall, 7-5, 6-0. PAHIATUA. The Pahiatua tournament attracted 160 entries, and was a great success. A. Powdrell, of Wanganui, won the singles championship, and Miss Curtis, of Petone, captured the ladies' championship singles. Druce and Swainsoh, of Pahiatua, took the doubles, and Powdrell, with Miss Warren, of Pahiatua, had a great win in championship combined.