LAWN TENNIS.

Evening Star, Issue 15065, 23 December 1912, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS.

[By Becordkb.]

The third round of local A grade matches played on Saturday again had surprises. It was reported that S. M'Dougall had greatly improved, and the report did not prove groundless, for he played exceedingly well against Bundle, his service and smashing proving very troublesome to his more experienced opponent, who, it must be candidly admitted, should not have played, as he was in the grip of the influenza fiend and unable to do himself justice. The writer does not wish to detract from the merit of young M'Dougall's performance, for it is quite possible that he might have won under any conditions. Gerald Black was expected to defeat Lemon, but the latter early found Black's weak spot —the back-hand—and gave him plenty of practice on it. Black will have to strengthen his left, and he will find it advantageous to get more length on his drives; there is nothing like depth. Ivory allowed S. S. Black to make the game to suit himself, and the latter did so to such good purpose that the younger player could not make up the leeway. Winchester's defeat by Hart was unexpected, but the St. Kilda man is observant, and his experience of A grade tennis is not allowed to go to waste. M'Kerrow, of Balmacewen, has a style which is not conducive to good play on the part of inexperienced opponents, but on Saturday B. V. Bundle gave him a lot of trouble. "Bundle hit hard and took the risks, and nearly succeeded. I Lawn tennis was often called a soft game in days that are past. From a Sydney journal I cull a description of the Brookes-Dixon match. Active players will appreciate it to the full:—"Dixon does not wear a happy look on the court; he invariably wears a worried and almost haggard expression, as if he were forced into a disagreeable task, but is determined to go through with it against any fate. Dixon was not at home to Brookes's short cross-court shots, but despite his great weight the Englishman did not spare himself, although the great heat was very distressing. In the second set, with Brookes leading 5-1, Dixon made a great stand. Dripping with prespiration, jolted and shaken by his desperate efforts to follow Brookes's short cross-courters, he started the seventh game with unabated energy, and his fine service and beautiful low volleying give him that game "and the next two. He drove Brookes's services back with great power. In the ninth game Dixon made a long and bitter struggle to win his service. Twice Brookes wanted an ace for game and set, but each time Dixon recovered brilliantly. Dixon's persistency was causing Brookes's friends some alarm and concern as to his staying capacities, but the Victorian won at 6-4.

"Facing each other for the third set, Dixon looked worn out and done for, but Brookes looked remarkably fresh. However, the Englishman soon showed that he had plenty of strength left. He served as hard as ever, and go to 40-15; then a double fault, which probably cost him the game. Eveh play, marked by great skill in anticipation of each other's shots by both players, took the score to 4 all. When Brookes was serving at 4-3 a terriffic struggle ensued. _ Brookes was bent' on winning in straight sets. He ran for balls, wherever they were, and was straining for every point. His service became almost a contortion, as he stretched every muscle to its utmost to send the ball twisting and twirling through the air to shoot suddenly forward as the spin of the baj] met the surface of the court. At the other end was Dixon making the last game struggle to stem the tide, which pulled at the heart-strings of everyone who watched him. His shirt clung to his body, bathed in perspiration, his mouth was opaiu his eyes dreadfully haggard, his aria* feitpjjiilg tirikw between strokes,

every movement seeming an effort, and yet so amazing was the strength of the man, so wonderful his power of anticipation, so dogged his defence when driven under his opponent's onslaught, that everyone who knew the two men feared for the result. Dixon, too, seemed to realise that Brookes was spending himself—that if he could but squeeze home with this third set he mighu do what Wright and Wilding had done. Both of them had lost the first two sets to Brookes and yet won the rubber. It was a great game, which will live long in the memory of those who saw it. Half a dozen times or more Brookes wanted but one stroke for the critical game, but always Dixon saved the stroke by some desperate effort. Dixon began to toss them in the air. which Brookes never likes. After a dozen deuces and many stirring rallies Dixon was rewarded. Brookes a double fault and then a missed volley gave Dixon the game. But Dixon was "done, and could make no response to his opponent's dazzling strokes, which seemed almost to daze the visitor. Thirty all was called in the next game; then Brookes, with a magnificent serve down the centre line which Dixon could not touch, and a fine back-hand volley across the court, took the set and the rubber." While their respective captains were fighting out their game Heath and Parke were naturally having an anxious time. The Irishman, apparently not afraid of his nerve, donned his togs early, and came out to watch the end of the Brookes-Dixon match. Heath, who is of nervous teniperame'nt, came down to the grounds late, and Clarence Weber rubbed him down before he dressed. Then they strolled about the grounds, Weber trying" to keep Heath intsrested in everything but the groat contest close at hand. But how could he? The cries of the excited crowd watching the Brookes-Dixon struggle followed them everywhere. It is said that when the 1908 Cup depended on Wilding the latter went through much the same experience, but the New Zealander sat alone under a tree, refusing to talk to anyone. The Kew Zealand championships nre to be played next week. Ollivier should aga.n win the Singles, and also the Doubles if fte pairs with Swanston I would choose Peacock and Fisher again, Lin Fisher, owing to an injured shoulder, has not been able tc- do the necessary naming. It is not improbable thai Miss" Numeley will again ho lady champion. Her siicvess woald please many friends

Several Dtinedin players are journeying to Invercargill and Ashburton for the tournaments, and there ;s a pr-ispect of a team doing the Goldfields. "Recorder" wishes all tenuis players a merrv Christmas week and much success.