NATIONAL MEETING

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 13, 17 January 1933, Page 9

NATIONAL MEETING

OPENING DAY

Play began in the New Zealand championships at Miramar grounds this morning. After a postponement matches were commenced on heavy courts. v

Shortly before noon, when play began, a strong northerly 'arr«se and added to players' difficulties. Wlien a startwas made in the men's singles the players at the exposed end of the courts were forced to hit hard to make headway against the blast, and physique counted materially. A.. C. Coull (Marlborough). started better than E. A. Pearec (Wellington), and won the first set almost before Pearce was into his stride. Coull was striving particularly well, and often caught Pearce with nice placements. Ho took the first set 6-3, but was down 1-3 in the second, and lost it 3-6. In the third :set they, reached 5-all. I E. Hill (Manawatu) played an even game with E: H. Burton (Taranaki), there being nothing, between the players throughout the first set, which Hill won 7-5. After this Hill had an easier task, and won the next two sets 6-2, 6-2. W. D. Sykes (Wellington.) was playing very steadily against R. R. Lees (Auckland), and had several set points at 5-3, after holding a 5-1 lead. Lees fought hard to save the set, and woked his way up to 5-all, 6-all,,and 7-all. He then led S-7, and dropped several set 'points, but finally won at 9-7. Lees won the first game in the second set. G. A. Pearee (Otago), an active lefthander, was ahead 3-1 and 5-3 against E. Fouhy (Wellington), winning many points in driving duels. Pearee was steady off the ground, and Fouhy could not hold him. Poaree won the first set 6-4, and the second 6-3. Fonhy was ahead 1-0 in the third set. Eesults up to the time of going to press are as follows:— ' Men's Singles. ' First round: E. Hill (Manawatu) beat E. H. Burton (Taranaki), ,7-5, 6-2, ti-2; E. G. Boddy (Otago) won from J. C. Charters (Auckland)'by default. J.-G. A'Court (Canterbury) wonlJtHe first set against G. D. Whitcombe (Wellington) 6-2, and was leading 2-0 in the second set when play was interrupted. D. C. Coombe (Manawatu) was leading E. 11. Orbell (Canterbury) 5-2 in tho first set. v-*'-R. A. Court (Hawkes Bay) was"orice clown 2-3 to the youthfnl A. Dickie (Taranaki), but picked up his leeway and was ahead 5-3 when play ceased till this afternoon. ■ : E. G. Boddy (Otago) won from J. C. Charters (Auckland), who scratched in all events. N. G. Sturt (Auckland) won'the first set from the Wellington left-hander, K. W. Dyer, 6-1, and was leading 2-1 in, tho next set. Shortly after 1 o'clock a slight shower developed into fairly heavy rain and play was halted.