FINAL MATCHES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1932, Page 15

FINAL MATCHES

FOB TENNIS TITLES

EXCITING PLAY

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, ,29th January.

There was a record attendance for Auckland at the fifth day's play of the New Zealand tennis championships. Two splendid exciting encounters marked the seuii-fiuals of the men's singles. C. Angas and H. A. Barnett defeating E. L. Bartleet and N. E.- C. Wilson respectively, thereby making the final an all-Canterbury one. There was brilliant sunshine until late afternoon. Wellington won five games to Auckland's one in the Nunueley Casket contest.

Both matches were keenly contested, that between Brirnett and Wilson lasting two hours and twenty minutes, and one between Angas and Bartleet a little over .ten minutes longer. With Barnett and Wilson two,sets all, and the games see-sawing. .'from X all, to 6 all, there was little wonder that the crowd became thoroughly worked up over the contest. There was prolonged cheering and handdapping' for both victor ' and vanquished when Barnett finished the match with a brilliant cross-court shot past his opponent's backhand, which left Wilson standing. The crowd became intensely interested -with the fifth, set, upon which I depended the right to enter the filial. Both I players adopted defensive tactics rather than take risks, and there were long rallies in the majority of the games, the playeis losing their services to 5 all. Wilson was then successful with his service, but Barnett did likewise. The pressure was telling upon ; Wilson, and the consistent returning, of the Canterbury man carried him to victory. , Every game in the match between Angas and Bartleet was closely fought and prolonged, the four sets occupying nearly two and a half horns. . Augas took the lead at the outset. Bartleet played with restraint and caution throughout. Angas varied the game, mixing his drives with pretty chop shots, and he came to 'the net more frequently than his opponent. At the beginning Bartleet wa6 content to. remain at the back of the court, making many fast drives down both sidelines which troubled Angas.' The Canterbury player, however, showed amazing steadiness, and made many wonderful recoveries, using accurate lobs to extricate himself from difficulties, and at; times scoring points with them.

The comparatively easy defeat of Miss Valkenburg by Miss Harligan was a surprise, as Miss Valkenburg's ehaucea of winning the championship -were regarded as good. Miss Valkenbiug played a sound game, but Miss Hartigan was on. the aggressive froni the outset, and made few mistakes. Her powerful forehand and backhand drives kept Miss Valkenburg on the defensive all the time, with the iesiilfc/ that She was unable to use many of her best strokes.' ' ' '

Mrs. Molcsworth's greater experience and courtcraft were deciding factors in her-match' with Miss Hall, who for the most part was outmanoeuvred^ and could not make much impression on her consistently steady opponent.

Angas and. Barnett were really unlucky to lose their match against Wilson and Stedman. By superior all-round play and peifect combination they completely outclassed their opponent's in the first two sets. They led ff-2 in the third set, and they had the. match point at 5-4, when ft wonderful recovery by Wilson saved the situation for his team. The contest was productive of brilliant tennis, by all four, although Angas, Barnett, and Wilson were tired ijfter their exertions in the heat of the earlier afternoon. Wilson collapsed upon returning to the dressingroom.

The first set of tho final of the women's' doubles proved very oven. It was only the fact that the New South Wales players were more consistent that gave them the advantage. Mrs. Djkes was a dominating figure in the match, her driving be-, ing powerful, 'while her overhead work ficquently gained points1 for her side. Miss Knight played well in the first set, but was very erratic in the second. Auckland and Wellington women's" teams began the contest for the Xunneiey Contest. Wellington gained a substant;al load, winning five games to Auckland's' one. The results oE the championship play are as follou-s:— ' MES-B SIXGLES. Semi-finals. H. A. Barnett beat X. Jl. C. Wilsou~ 6-0, 6-2, 1-6, 8-0. r • • G. Angas beat E. L. Baitleet, 5-7, C-l 6-3, 10-8. MEN'S DOUBLES. .. Semi-finals. Wilson and Stedman beat Ancas and Barnett, 3-6, 2-6, 8:fl/ 6-0, 7-5. France and1 France beat Bartleet and Laurenson, 6-1, C-3, 10-8. WOMEX'S DOUBLES. Final. Misses Valkenburg and Hall (Xew South Wales) beat Mrs. Dykes and Mis,s Knight, fO t 0-1. ■ i COMBIXKD DOUBLES. I Scmi-fina], Miss Xicholls and A. L. Fiance beat Jlibs Macrarlane and Sturt, 9-7, C-3. BOYS' DOUBLES. Final. Stevens and Chalmers beat Bedfoid and Dickie, 6-3, 6-3. GIRLS' DOUBLES. Final. Misses G. Graham and Gi^ffiths beat Misses Savin and Drake, 6-4, 04. XrarNTELEY CASKET. Misses Xicholls and Howe beat Mrs .Napier and Miss Ramsay, 6-1, C 4. Mesdames Dykes and France beat Misses Mactailanc, 6-1, 6-8, 6-2.-