LAWN TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 122, 19 November 1932, Page 20

LAWN TENNIS

By "Drive" SEASON UNDER WAY

INTERCLUB" CHAMPIONSHIPS

VISIT OF ANDREWS

The opening round of the interclub matches on Saturday was marred by such bad weather conditions that- too much attention cannot be paid to the form of the players in action. Two things definitely emerged, however, one that few of the leading players are in anything like form and second that the pace will be hotter in local tennis this season. D. G. Franco, who is still outmost accomplished player, is recovering from the indisposition which he suffered a few weeks ago, but he is far from fit yet. N. I}. C. Wilson is not yet controlling the ball to anything like the necessary degree. Both these players were matched against men who are difficult opponents, E. McL. Perkins and B. R. O'Brien, and were forced to exert themselves to win. Had the conditions been better Ferkins or O'Brien, •. who were in nicer shape than their adversaries, might easily have run out ahead. The Banking System.

The new ranking match system is to begin at once, the plan to be followed being that which was reported in this column two weeks ago. The matches will be played in two sections, and the first section will be run- by Messrs. 0. G. Swinburne and B. Baigent, the second section by Mr. W. W. Stirling. Tire applications for inclusion in the scheme have been invited from players and the first series of matches is due to be played as soon as the draw is arranged. This is highly satisfactory, for it means that there is every chance of players being" given a month of match tennis to sharpen, them "up before the Christmas holidays and that the rising youngsters will tie held out some inducement to train and practice. Andrews Returning. , Various reports have been circulated of the intention of E. D. Andrews, the ex-national singles champion, ti> return to. New Zealand, and Andrews has failed to come. But this year a visit from the star player is a certainty and Andrews is not only coming, he is coming at once. He is'already in Sydney advice f received locally states that he will arrive in Anckland nest week and in Wellington during the first week of nest month. Andrews appears to have, been on a wide tour since leaving England. In January last he was in Egypt, in February he was in Spain. March found him on the Eivieray in April he returned to London, and in May jocrneyed to Paris. He was back in England again in June and since July has travelled to the United States, Hawaii, Japan, China, Straits Settlements, the Malay States, and the Dutch. East Indies. " . ' - Andrews is now connected with the London firm of chartered accountants, Messrs. Smallficld, Hawlins, Thomas, and Co., is also attached to the head office of a well-known distilling firm and is a London director of Messrs. Spaldings, Ltd. He was in Hong Kong during September and there gave some exhibition, matches, meeting leading players whemv he had little trouble in defeating. He was entertained by the English community and had a very successful visit. . ' A Great Record. ' Andrews is still little more than 27 years of age, and since leaving New Zealand, where there is small doubt he would have dominated tennis in much. the same manner as Ollivier did, he has scored some notable victories. ! His victims overseas "include J. C. Gregory, once the English Number One, and H. W. Austin, Gregory's successor, Prenn, who figured, in the German Davis Cup team this year, J. Brugnon, the French Davis Cup player, and F. T. Hunter, who was at the time of Ms defeat by Andre.ws Number Two in the United States. In addition Andrews fought out a memorable match with Francis X. Shields at the last "Wimbledon meeting, leading by two sets to love. Andrews might have won this match but for an injured ankle; in any case he had Shields fully extended, and Shields in form is one of the best three or four players in the world. Andrews 's presence at the New Zealand championships still seems a little problematic as he is booked to leave the country on; 23rd January and the New Zealand meeting does not begin until 17th January. , McGrath and Vines. The crowd, which must have numbered over 7000, was with young V. McGrath—to a man and a woman—as he walked on to the court to try conclusion with the Californian six-footer, Ellsworth Vines, says the Sydney "Daily Telegraph," of the first day's match between -America and New South "Wales. Vines won the toss. There was a cpneerted gasp of amazement when he aced M-eGrath. three times with terrific services, and took the game >' to love. Vines let loose services that the boy could not get near, won the third game, and, collaring McGrath's service, led 3-1.

It looked as though Vines was going to carry all before him. But the boy rose to the occasion. He won his service to love, and then, amid great excitement, got back Vines' battering ram deliveries, and took the game to even :the score. From then on games with, the service until 6-all was called. .'...,

There was,a roar of applause as he outmanoeuvred Vines to win the game and lead 7-6. Then he ran to 40-15 on his service. Vines caught tho top of the net with a vicious drive, and it was M-cGrath's set at "8-6.

Going full out in the second set, Vines ran to a 2 r l lead, but MeGrath pulled up, only to'have Vines race away again to lead 4-2. . '

McGrath brought tho score to 4-3, and actually had game point, but Vines, with stinging returns, saved the game, and then battered his way to, take the set at 6-3 with terrific services.

Vines forced the issue in .the ,final set, and took the first game. His ground strokes failed him, and MeGrath drew level at ij-all. From 3-all Vines went away to. lead 54. Vines served and won the match 6.-8, 6-3, 64.