COMMENTS ON THE PLAY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 24, 30 January 1933, Page 4

COMMENTS ON THE PLAY

For the second time since his return |to New Zealand from England, C. E Malfroy,. runner-up to E. D. Andrews in the.final of the New Zealand championShip, has been beaten, says the Auckland "otar.. Three .times conqueror of A. C Stedman—in the Wilding Shield, at Wai nganui and New Plymouth—Malfroy was vanquished by the Aucklarider in the .emu-finals of the men's singles. The match went to four sets. Stedman was at the top of his form driving magnificently. The fast court and the high-bouncing ball suited his style admirably. He clung to Malfroy through the first set until the Wellington man ' clinched it at 7-5. With no change in tbe tactics of either player,-the second set, developed into a desperate tight and at 9-8 a bad decision against Malfroy gave Stedman the set. Malfroy appeared to be-taking the match casually and did not speed up his play as he had done in the first set. Stedman started off the third sot with a series of deadly accurate drives which carried astounding pace. The crowd was thrilled" as Stedman, showing the form which won him the national title two years ago, frequently drove Malfroy all over the court. Tbe Wellington mail had lost his touch, and Stedman was definitely on top. Malfroy changed his racquet, but he could not get on to his game again. Although one would not for a minute detract from.the merit of Stedman's win, it must be said in fairness to Malfroy that he completely lost his earlier form. All through, Malfroy was missing vol-

leys which should have been clean plae'e-i ments. His length was absurdly short,1 loose stuff which was quickly and efficiently "killed" by the hard-hitting Stedman. ■ Holding only one set against Stedman's two, • Malfroy started off the fourth set after the interval with a return to his rush tactics. But his volleying failed him and not only that, he was brilliantly passed by Stedman down either side-line time after-time. . Three-one was called in j Stedman's favour, but showing wonderful fighting spirit, Malfroy drew level at 3-all. It was Stedman's day. He kept plugging away at Malfroy's backhand, and any loose stuff that came back from Malfroy was killed with terrific drives brilliantly placed. These beautiful, sweeping drives, carrying great pace, and perfect length, carried Stedman to a 5-3 lead. It was all over with Malfroy now. Two of his racquets had broken strings, and he had completely lost his . touch. He served desperately in that last game, and raced in for a kill but "missed his shots. Now Stedman was at match-point. Malfroy followed a fast serve in and volleyed Stedman's return. The ball dropped an inch over the base line and Stedman had triumphed. Both, men were given an ovation as. they walked from the court. Stedman had given one of the. finest exhibitions of driving seen in Auckland for some time. He had volleyed cleverly and his overhead shots had always been safe. So Stedman won, 5-7, 10-8, 6-2, 6-3. WILSON DEFEATED, For the fourth time in championship matches this season, N.R. C. Wilson, the Wellington crack, went down to C. E. Malfroy. The match was the third round of the men's singles. Malfroy beat Wilson at Wellington, Wanganui, and New Plymouth, but never before has he beaten Wilson with such ease. Although Malfroy played some brilliant tennis, 'it was actually Wilson who defeated himself. Never before has Wilson, iv Auckland, played such poor tennis.' He was hopelessly out of form, missing-the simplest shots, driving out, netting easy returns, and smashing and volleying erratically. It was a. pity, for when Wilson is on his game he is one of the most dangerous players in New Zealand. His old tactics of speeding up the game by playing the rising ball failed utterly. Forcing tactics were adopted by Malfroy in the first set He played with pace and accuracy an all-court game, in which there was hardly a fault. Wilson could not win'a'game. Apparently realising that Wilson was' completely off His game, Malfroy slowed up' a good deal in tbe next set He delighted the galleries with an occasional brilliant service, but generally appeared to be .outeht.to Jet Wilson outplay himself. As a result, interest in the match waned. Malfroy won the set with the loss of only- two games. When Malfroy had run. up a 4-1 lead in the third set, Wilson made a gallant effort to: save, the day. He forced the attack, and raced to thejnet to win shots with spectacular and clean-placed volleys. By-forceful tennis he drew level to 4-alI, but he had recovered his form too late; and Malfroy polished off the set and match, 6-0, 6-2, 64.