"WORLD'S GREATEST"

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 128, 1 June 1936, Page 6

"WORLD'S GREATEST"

badminton genius J. F. DEVLIN DEMONSTRATES Those who had heard the title "The world's greatest" applied to the Irish badminton genius. J. F. Devlin. saw the reason for the title on Saturday night when Devlin took part in a number of exhibition matches in the Town wnii Those who had played badminton previcmsly, and who■ undergtood skill*'with which "Sevlin executed the most difficult strokes. Those to whom hadminton, as a winter pastime, naa nrpviouslv only been a name, wondered at the ease with which Devlin Slaved the New Zealand champion, T Neale and the Wellington championl. A. Roussell, from one corner of the court to another, although both of these players put up excellent pershowed his outstanding ability in the match with Neale, whom he defeated 15 3, 15-0. The basis of.his success appeared to be in a wrist technique which gave fast speed and excellent placement without the substantial and exhausting swing of the body, shown by the other players. With a twist of the wrist he was able to "flip" the shuttle in a deceptive manner, practically wherever he willed it, within inches of the line or into an unprotected corner. Neale fought hard, and let. nothing go by default but with many rallies he was played so far out of position that the final stroke was irrecoverable. Early in the second match, with Roussell, Devlin had to move fast, as Roussell was trying, by playing deeply, to keep him on the baseline At one stage both players were breathing like quarter-mile runners at the end of a race. However, the very fast pace auickly exhausted Roussell, and Dev--1 Un in a very short time mastered Roussell's best strokes. Many of the rallies were long and spectacular, but were generally ended by Roussell hitting too hard or smashing into the net. Devlin won 15-2. 15-4. ... The most exciting match of the evening was the men's doubles, between Devlin, partnered by H. D. Reid and perhaps the strongest New Zealand doubles combination, J. Neale and E. A. Roussell. Although there was no doubt at any time as to the final result, neither side would concede anything, and points were saved from almost impossible situations. Devlin has said that to succeed in singles one must be brilliantly consistent, whereas for success in doubles, one I must be consistently brilliant. Devlin proved the necessity for something more than" a steady and consistent return, as sometimes he played both his opponents out of position and then smashed into the unprotected part of the court. Devlin and Reid won 15-3, 15-6, 15-4. Devlin also took part in a combined doubles match, partnering Miss D. King against H. D. Reid and Mrs. W. Binning. Although the match in patches was very bright and Devlin scored with some fine backhand shots, he and Reid appeared to be feeling some of the effects of their strenuous early game. Devlin and Miss King won 15-2, 15-9. G. Pearce and E. Ridyard, in an '■ early exhibition, defeated J. Vaughan and N. Hull-Brown, 21-12. Pearce showed in his tactical play the benefit of his tennis experience and scored several times with fine cross-court drop shots. ) Mrs. A. D. Latham, after being down 3-7 in a closely-contested match, defeated Mrs. W. Binning, 15-13. V. Dixon and Miss J. Denby defeated J. Allison and Miss C. Phillips, 15-11. Dixon smashed well, and placed ac- , curately. Mrs. A. D. Latham and Miss N. Morgan defeated Miss F. Fernie and Miss D. King, 15 5.