LAWN TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1929, Page 20

LAWN TENNIS

■r "HUK»~ AUSTRALIA WINS TEST

AUSTIN'S LACK OF STAMINA

WELLINGTON PLAYERS HAVE

GOOD WINS

TOURNAMENT FIXTURES.

Auckland Championships and Handicaps^ January 25, 26. 28, 2a (at Stanley street) Dannovirke Club Championships and Handicaps -January 2G, 28, 29, 30 (at Dannevirke). Nelson Championships—February 1, 2, 4, and 5 (at Nelson). Maori Championships—Marcb 19 to 23 (»t Hamilton), and all Finals at Ngaruawahia.

Australia beat the British Isles' in the Test match by 4 matches, 14 sets, 127 games, to 2 matches, 10 sets, 117 games. The British players more than held their own in tho singles, although each side won two contests, with tho visitors having tho hard luck. In the doubles the Australians were the masters in both matches, which gave the homo side victory. F. E. Kalms, strange to say, did not seem to bo able to settle down against E. Higgs, and although tho former is noted for his splendid play at the net, ho was content to play Higgs from the baseline, and only whon ho found that ho was losing a set did ho force matters. His • slackness is hard to account for, unless, of course, he was stale, or had. not had enough practice. Higgs, who is a hard driver from both wings, was right on his game, and when tho score was 2 sets all, with Higgs leading 4-1 in the fifth set, victory looked oasy. Kalms, as in all the sets, now made his effort when matters looked desperate, and so well did he play that ho not only made the score ".5-all," but also fought it out to "6-all." But once again he slumped and Higgs took the next two games for mtach, 6-3, 4-G, 6-3, 6-8, 7-5. Critics contend that H. W. Austin had hard luck in not beating J. Crawford in three, sots, as ho evidently went ,out to do, but want of stamina was his undoing. Austin played all over Crawford in tho first set, and gave an exhibition of perfect all-round play. Ho relied on his fino driving from both fore and backhand, and as he flung his weight to the ball for the drive, carried his weight straight forward for his rush to th© net. Once there, his lowvolleying was severe and a treat to watch, all such shots being placed with great delicacy. Austin won tho first set, 6-1. Crawford, in the second set, used better judgment in running his opponent from side to side, and although Austin led 5-4 he was showing signs of distress. Crawford crowded on the pace and took threo games for set, 7-5. Austin was distressed in the third set, and had to bo treated for cramp, but he battled hard to make the score 6-all. Crawford now had the upper hand and won, 9-7. The interval revived Austin, and he took tho fourth set easily at 6-2, but before the fifth set was long in progress cramp again seized Austin, and ho could not stand the strain. In fact, once he fell down in agony, and had to be treated on the court. Crawford won tho set easily, 6-2. It was all nonsense to say that Austin should have beaten Crawford, even if the former did have the better strolce. Mere skill without endurance and the will to win does not make the champion, and the player who cannot stand a 5-set contest is not a champion of champions, even though his play may bo more stylish and of higher skill tlian that of his opponent. It is not the result of one set that counts, but the result of tho whole match of 5 sets. Austin is only 21 years old, and if his stamina could be built up he would be a world-beater. Dr. J. C. Gregory played a great match against Harry Hopman. The latter tried to break down his opponent's driving game by using chop strokes, but Gregory relished these chances to send the ball humming to the side lines well out of Hopman's outstretched racquet. Gregory may not have the style of Austin, but ho 'has the physique, stamina, and dash, as was proved when he fairly swept Hopman off the court in the first and second sets. Hopman shaped better in tho third set, but Gregory won, 6-4, 6-3, 9-7. J. Willard was emergency in place of Sehlesingcr, and many considered that his opponent, I. G. Collins, champion of Scotland, would beat him. Willard, however, played the game of his life, his driving and serving being most severe. He threw most of his attack at Collins's weak backhand, and with great pace and accuracy won the first and second sots at 6-2, 6-1. He then eased up and Collins, making the pace hot, won the third set at 6-1. Collins still pressed and led 5-3 in the fourth set, and against Willard's service had a sot point. Willard now made his run, and serving hard, dashed for the net to cut off Collins's fine drives with brilliant volleys. His tactics were correct, for he not only made it "5-all," but going on with great dash captured the set at 7-5, and match. Crawford and Hopman beat Austin and Gregory in tho doubles, 6-4, 6-2, 7-9, 6-2. Austin was tho weakest player of the four, and his inability to play first-class doubles apparent. Gregory worked liko a Trojan to avert defeat, but the Australian pair were too good. Kalms and Willard beat Higgs and Collins, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 Higgs is a somewhat impossible doubles player, for he hangs back behind the service line, and tries to dofeat good volleys by severe drives, which were cut off for sure aces every time. Collins played well, but could not make up for his partner's lack of position. Kalms played a fine game, but Willard was a shade at fault m his volleying. There is not the slightest doubt' that Crawford, Hopman, Kalms, and Willard make Australia's best representative team, notwithstanding tho opinion that somo enthusiasts have for tho play of Patterson, Hawkos, and Selilesiuger. Thorc is plenty of youth, ginger, and dash in the team as a whole, ana it was this that defeated tho British team. The British team loft aftor'the match for Mudgoe to visit Dalkeith, the homo of Mr. and Mrs. F. B. M'Master, whose enthusiasm for tennis is as great as their reputation for sheep-breeding. Taranaki Championships. Tho Taranaki championships were played at New Plymouth, and most of the events were completed on sth January, but the officials and players were hampered during the week by. the showery weather, which cvon when it did clear up left the courts very dead. The weather was unfavourable when the finals were staged on tho Saturday afternoon, but tho management, well backed up by the players, succeeded iv completing all the matches before dark. In the men's singles T. RhodesWilliams (Wellington) beat C. Entwistlc (Auckland) in the semi-final, 6-3, 6-3, and. Lou Prance (Wellington) reached the final by beating A. C. Stedman (Auckland), 64,6-2. Tho final between France anct Khodea-Williams

was played on. a heavy court. In fact, for the greater part oil the match rain fell in heavy drops. France made quick work of the match, which was all over under an hour. After the first set, which France won 6-4, he romped home a winner, taking the second and third sets at 0-2. In the n;en's doubles A. G. Wallace (Waverley) and G. Wills (Hawera) beat A. C. and J. E. Stedman (Auckland) in the semi-final, 3-6, 9-7, 0-2. In the other half C. B. Webster and G. S. Ellis (New Plymouth) beat V. N. Hubble.and C. Entwistle (Auckland), 6-3, G-3. The final produced a great fight. Webster and Ellis took the first sot at 6-2, but Wallace and Wills improved in the second set and just got home at 8-6. They also-took the third and fourth sets, both at 6-4. The winners were the steadier combination, and A)bx Wallace was the outstanding player. In the semi-finals of the ladies' singles, Mrs. Melocfj' (Wellington) beat Miss M. Gibson (Timaru), 0-2, 6-3, and Miss M. Andrew (Christehureh) beat Mrs. L. Berg (Stratford), 4-6, 6-2, 6-0. In the final Mrs. Melody took the first set 6-2, her cut shots having her opponent all at sea, but in the second set Miss Andrew Jdid much better, and "five all" was called. Mrs. Melody took the eleventh game- and set 6-5. Mrs. Melody was foot-faulted several times in the match, but she must have developed some little fault quito recently, as her serving in the past has been without blame so far as foot-fault-ing is concerned. Miss Andrew, through inexperience, lost the second set, when in quite a good winning position. Mesdames Melody and Adams beat Mrs. Arneil and Miss Stevens in the final of the ladies' doubles very easily, the score being 6-2, 6-2. The semi-finals of the mixed doubles produced good matches, and Miss Gibson and RhodesWilliams beat Mrs. Melody and Melody, 6-1, 8-0. With a shade of luck the losers would have won the second set. In the other half Miss Andrew and A. C. Stedman beat Mrs. Arneil and Pickmere, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1. The Wang'arei pair appeared right but of it when Miss Andrew and Stedman led 5-1 in the first set, but a change came over the scene, and the Whangarei pair, playing well together, not only won the first set at 7-5, but went on to leave 3 love in tho second set. They took nine games in succession, but the effort was too much for them, and when their pressure slackened the other pair took 5 games in a row and won out. Miss Andrew and Stedman were called upon to play the final against Miss Gibson and Rhodes-Williams 'almost immediately after the semi-final, and the latter pair won after a hard contest, 6-8, 6-4, 6-4. After the first set, the winning pair gave Miss Andrew most of the work to do, as they kept the ball away from Stedman. The Christchurch' lady played pluckily, but she gradually tired, not having recovered from her efforts in the semi-final. Had she been fresher tho result might have been reversed. ,A. J. Dickie (Waverley), who is a son of Cliff Dickie, of the well-known Dickie and Wallace combination at New Zealand championship tournaments, not only won the boys' championship singles, but also won the men's B grade handicap singles.. In the final of the junior championship young Dickie beat V. Drew, 6-4, 6-5, and from the receive 3 mark beat B. L. Ewart (rec. 5), 60-53, in the handicap event. 'The girls' singles was unique in that the final was contested by twin sisters. Misses Jean and Joan Ward are Stratford players, and are so much alike that it was only by the coloured ribbons on thei/ dresses thai fho umpire was able to distinguish which was which. It was indeed strange to hear "game to red" or "blue leads 5-3." Miss Joan was the steadier player of the two, and she won 6-3, 6-4. These two young players aroused great interest amongst tho spectators, especially when they both advanced to the net and tried/to outvolley one another. Amusement was also caused bytheir high lobbing, which both were expert at. Miss Joan Ward also won the ladies' handicap singles from the rec. 17 mark, being Miss Ballantyne, rec. 12, in the final, 50-41. Miss Jean Ward, rec. 17, was prevented from meeting her twin sister in the final by being. beaten by Miss Ballantyne in the semi-final, 51-49. The twins also won the ladies' handicap doubles from the rce. 20 mark, beating Misses Ramsay and Mathieson (scr), 50-44, in the final. Forbes and Lezard (Wellington) had a good win in the men's handicap doubles from the rec *.8 mark, beating Beachen and Thompson, rec. 20, 60-47. Owing to the rain on the Saturday, the handicaps had to be completed next day, which was fortunately fine, but owing to tho number of players .who had to leave or were unable to play, a large number of matches went by default. C. Charters (Whangarei), owe 5, beat C. H. Nicholls, rec. 10, in the final of the men's A grade, handicap singles. Maryborough Championships. The Marlborough championships were played during the New Year holidays, and players from Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson, and Takaka took part. In the .semi-finals of the men's championship singles Dr. E, B. W. Smyth, who won the New Zealand doubles with A. W. Fotheringham in. 1924, beat Allison, 6-3, 6-3. B. R. O'Brien (Wellington) beat Field, 6-4, 6-3. In the final Smyth had an easy win from O'Brien, tho score being 6-3, 6-2. Smyth and Bennett beat Mitchell and Coull in the final of the men's doubles, 6-3, 6-1. In the third round of the ladies' singles Miss Foley beat Miss Stevons, 9-3, but the final of the- championship was won by Mrs. King, who beat Miss Foley, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. Mrs. M' Callum and Mrs. Lloyd beat Misses Smith and Buist in tho final of the ladies' doubles, 6-2, 6-0. In the semi-finals of the mixed doubles Mrs. M'Callum and Allison beat Miss Buist and Clements, 9-4, and Mrs. Lloyd and Field beat Miss Smith'and O'Brien, 9-7. The final was won by Mrs. M( Callum and Allison, who beat Mrs. Lloyd and Field, 0-2, 6-4. Mrs. King and her sister, Miss Stevens, won the ladies' handicap doubles from the owe 30 mark, beating Misses King and Henderson (rec. 15), 6-1. Waipuknrau Tournament. Tho Waipukurau championship meeting was, as the president of the club, ■Mr. J. D. Ormond, remarked when presenting tho prizes, the most successful in the history of tho club. The president particularly eulogised the untiring efforts of the secretary, Mr. P. A. G. Dunn. The men's championship singles was won by T. Rhodes-Williams (Wellington), who beat A. Powdrell, 6-0, 6-2, 6-0, in the final; Mrs. Adams (Wellington) won the ladies' singles, beating Miss Ramsay in the final 6-3, 6-4. The ladies' doubles final was won by Mosdames Adams and Napier, who beat Misses Powdrell and Ramsay, 6-1, 6-3. The men's doubles went to Rhodes-Williams and Griffiths, who boat Powdrell Bros, in the final, 6-1, 6-1, 6-4. Mrs. Adams and Rhodes-Wil-liams, as in all their other wins, had little opposition in tho mixed doubles championship, zeating Miss A. Ormond and J, D. Ormond, jun., 6-0, 6-1, in tho final. Nelson Championships. The Nelson championships will bo held on Ist, 2nd, 4th, and sth February, at the Nelson Club's courts, corner of Tasman and Manuka streets, Nelson. Twolve grass courts will be available, and entries close with W. L. Connington, tho secretary, at 6, Church street, Nelson, on Monday.