LAWN TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 18, 22 January 1937, Page 11

LAWN TENNIS

EXCELLENT PLAY

WELLINGTON CHAMPION-

SHIPS

Some excellent tennis was seen in the Wellington provincial championships, which were continued at Miramar today in sunny weather, but with a strong and gusty northerly breeze sweeping the courts. The 16-year-old New Zealand boys' champion, Painter, had a great threeset battle with Bedford, the runner-up in the New Zealand singles at Timaru. Painter drove exceptionally well under the difficult conditions, frequently placing in the corners and not hesitating to attack from the net. Bedford played well, particularly in the final set, but his margin of errors was insufficient. Painter led 5-3 in the first set, but Bedford equalised at 5-all. Painter fought hard, and on the greater accuracy of his driving took the set 7-5. Some hard-driving rallies followed in the second set, but Bedford was more accurate, winning 6-3. Painter was just missing the baseline with his forehand in the final set, and netted a number of short backhand drives, losing the set, 6-3. Roussell took some time to settle down against Mayson (Auckland), the first set going to 7-5. In the second set he swept Mayson from the court with his volleying, taking the set, 6-1. R. Ferkins and Coombe staged a fast quarter-final, won by Coombe in the third set, 7-5, 1-6, 6-0. Ferkins in the first two sets showed greater steadiness and control of the _ ball, put Coombe was superior in his smashing, and served a number of aces. Coombe led to 5-2 in the first set, but Ferkins equalised at 5-all. Coombe, with a series of fine passing shots, took the next two games and set. Ferkins drove and volleyed brilliantly in the second set, which he took 6-1, but was unable to sustain the pressure in the third, missing many easy smashes. Coombe drove with considerable pace and top-spin on his forehand, frequently "Gassing Ferkins down the line, take the set, 6-0. The juniors Kelly and Doherty showed considerable promise against one of the strongest doubles comblnations in New Zealand, Sturt and Edwards. who won, 6-1, 6-1. ■ • Roussell and Miss Douthett combined effectively for the first time in the mixed doubles, beating Hooper and Miss Everton, 6-3, 7-5. Miss D. Nicholls overwhelmed Mrs. Latham in the women's singles on the speed and accuracy of her driving. taking the match despite effective volleying by Mrs. Latham, 6-1, o-o. Some fine driving was seen in the quarter-final of the men's singles championship between Sturt and Brown, seeded first and second in Auckland. The strong wind tended to make the play erratic, and particularly affected Sturt, but the driving of both was of a very high standard. The first set witnessed a very close battle in which Brown was a little more accurate, winning 7-5. In the second set Sturt showed superiority, but in the latter stages was missing badly with his drives. Brown won many points in the latter stages by attacking from the n et - , The young Wellington player, Miss J. Douthett, fully extended Miss M. Howe in the semi-final of the women's singles, fighting to 4-all in the first'set. Miss Howe was tipping the lines with her cross-court drives, and forced Miss Douthett into errors, taking the second set 6-1.

Latham and. Mrs. Latham were too steady in combination for Bedford and Miss Bedford, whom they defeated 6-4, 1-6, 6-1. The juniors, Robb and Painter, showed particular promise, extending the New Zealand doubles champions, Roussell and Ferkins, to three sets, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. Many of the rallies were very spectacular, both boys lobbing and volleying well. They showed a competent knowledge of doubles technique, Robb winning many points on technical play. Charters and Coombe beat Hawkesworth and Ward, 6-3, 7-5, in an erratic doubles match which was affected by the wind.