LAWN TENNIS.

Evening Star, Issue 13102, 7 November 1908, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS.

The Slraliilicld (Sydney) open tournament concluded ou the 24th October. In the final of tho Metropolitan Singles H. Rico (holder) beat S. N. Doust, 6—3, 7—9, 6—4. Space forbids a full account of tiro struggle, which was a very fine one. The Sydney ‘ DailyTelegraph ’ of the 2Cth ult. has a lengthy description cf the day’s play, which was keen and exciting in all of the principal events. In tho Metropolitan Men’s Doubles Rice and Campbell (challengers) scored from the holders (Jones and Wright), and thus deprived tho latter pair from making the valuable cups their own property—they only required to win this time to complete full ownership. The sets resulted 7—9, 6 —2, 6—4. The victories of Rice were exceedingly popular-, and his play showed that his old tactics were quite equal to coping with the more modern methods of play, wherein the sendee and smash form so conspicuous a part. In last week’s notes it was stated that Wilding probably won the Men’s and Mixed Doubles as well as the Singles at tho big South of England championship. Files to hand this week confirm this. What proved to be the final in the Men’s Singles was played between the New Zealander and It. B. Powell, the former winning 6—4, 7—5. There was no challenge round, as Hillyard (the holder) did not defend his title, as ho dcubted if he could stand the strain, auo thought that ho would have a better chalice in the Doubles. It may be mentioned that Hillyard, the Singles holder, played right through to tho final. Dunedin players should not: the fart. Had Hillyard’s partner (Cazalet) not had a temporary lapse of form at the critical stage, the former’s estimate of their chances in the Doubles final againsi Wilding and Eaves would probably have been realised. In the last set hillyard and Cazalet led 5—3 and 40—15. Cazalet then failed to score outright from two simple volleys at the net, and the chance was gone. Wilding and Rives won, 7—5, 2—6, 6—3, 4—6, 7—5. In the Mixed Doubles final Wilding and Mrs Lainplough beat Hillyard and. Miss Greene, 6—4, 9—7. Wilding's good fortune proved to be Hillyard’s misfortune in three finals. For Ills ago (45) the latter ia a great player. The topic locally is the match against Canterbury on Monday next. Young players should not miss tins opportunity of seeing some Ligb-ohiss tennis. Canterbury’s team is (bar Quill) the strongest available. The very best way to leam how to become proficient at the game is to watch superior players—their strokes and methods—and if the players are strangers, all tho more can be gained by playing the part of onlooker occasionally. The Otago Association trust that the various club members will attend the match, and thus support the game and th© Association in'its endeavor to get out of the rut by providing representative fixtures, which are, after all, for the edification of the younger generation of enthusiasts. In lawn tennis, to watch a goed game will teach more than several seasons of practice. The player who became famous through sticking to his own little club is still unborn. This applies to all games of skill and endurance.

In reviewing the prospects of our players defeating the visitors, it may be said at once that if all one hoars is -true our chances are very small. But let our men take a brighter view. Things will not pan out so badly. It is true that the Otago team does not look up to the standard of some previous teams. Bundle and Bauehop are the pair singled out as weak; but in the f. jar’s case his eye only seems out a bit. lie may display his best on Monday. Bauehop is hardly up to the standard. He is, however, very steady and reliable, and always does well as first man for his club in interclub fixtures. Harraway was not selected owing to being out of practice. He has always been much superior to Bauehop. Ollivier (champion of Canterbury) will no doubt meet R. S. Brown in the Singles. The former last season twice defeated C. G. White (Otago) at the Ashburton tournament on level terms, but on grass courts. In the first match the result was 9—o, White not getting a single game. At their nest meeting White put up a much better showing, and although Ollivier won by two sets to one the difference in the games was very slight. But, then, Brown has also defeated White on several occasions in Singles and Doubles. Unfortunately, owing to its being early in the season, none of the Otago men are at their best. In Canterbury they have a winter season, so their players are differently situated. Brown lacks White’s batting propensities when things are looking awry, but he is going to give Ollivier - a run, if not a beating. Goss will perhaps be the visitors’ second string, and if he plays Steve Brown he will probably be still second. I am not forgetting that Goss was second to Ollivier in Christchurch three weeks ago, but he cannot at bis age to an improving player. At Ashburton W lute gave him a handicap and won easily. In the championship at Dunedin in 1904 Salmond beat Goss with ease, 6—4, G—o. 6—l. The same player in the next round beat Quill, 6—o, 6—l, 6—2. Quill was second in tho New Zealand championship last December. S. N. Brown beat Salmond in the Otago championship, 1905, so on tho records should beat Goss. It is possible that Pearse or Kiver may bo second player. Pearses form is well known here, and both he and Kiver will be hard nuts for Otago players to crack-, Sinclair, our third player, is a fine forehand driver, but does not usually start at his best, and a third set will perhaps find bis weakness. Canterbury’s third will, however, need to bo at his best to win. C. J. Braithwaito is likely to astonish some by his rapid improvement. If his opponent is anxious to own the region round the net there will be trouble in store. Otago’s oft-times champion, Borrows, is now on tho opposition benches, and this wily player will beat Bundle if in anything like form, but be has had very little play for some time. Dunedin players will be glad to renew acquaintance with the old crack, who, it may not be generally known, has beaten every Otago player who has tackled him since ho left Dunedin several years ago, and he has also hold the Canterbury championship. P. Laurie, another of the “Boys of the Old Brigade,” is still to the fore, and will likely meet Bauehop, who should have a good chance of winning if he keeps Laurie away from the net. In the Doubles, Brown brothers, with their fine combination, will give Canterbury’s first some trouble, and may win. Sinclair and Braithwaite should be second pair, but if Kiver and Pearse play together against them the latter should win, and Borrows and Laurie should defeat Bundle and Bauehop. In these notes some parts may seem reminiscent, but the object is to show that the standard of play hero has at times been quite up to Canterbury form, so that, as our players have in other years gained big victories over those from Canterbury, there is no reason now why our players should take a gloomy view of Monday’s outlook.