NEW ZEALAND TENNIS TOURNEY

Evening Star, Issue 19444, 30 December 1926, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND TENNIS TOURNEY

TO-DAY’S ,PLAY

[Per United Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, December 30,

The championships were continued this morning in fine weather under a threatening sky. The courts were harder than on the two previous days, and played fairly fast, but some players persisted in wearing nets on their shoes. A good early start was made, and fight courts were in action before 11 o’clock. A start was made with the boys’ junior singles, Perkins (Wellington) defeating Walton (Auckland). 6-5, 6-4, after a close game. The Wellingtonian was more accurate, and scored frequently off his opponent’s mistakes, while his court craft was superior. Mrs Melody did not have much difficulty in entering the fourth round, as she beat Miss Witherow in, two, sets, losing only four games. She was too severe for the Parnoll player, who could not find a length, and the Kelburn lady produced souie fine backhand shots, accurately placed. A hard four-set match full ot good tenuis was seen vriion Andrews and Seay went down to Haege and Malfroy, 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-7. The pairs were evenly matched in the two opening sets, and errors were seen on both sides. Seay and Andrews fed Malfroy with most of the work, but the Wellington lad Mood up to it well, and proved himself safe with drives to the side and back lines. Andrews did not strike his game tor a time, and the greatest variety of play was shown by Haege, the Victorian player. Some of Hacgo’s smashes were unplayable, but he was not free from errors, and sent some easy balls into the net. He frequently used his hard volleying and driving powers to finish off a rally, and the first two sets went to him and Malfroy. In the third set Seay and Andrews were playing well, and the others struck a weak patch, which was more or less responsible tor their loss in this set. At the beginning of the fourth set Seay and Andrews were still showing good combination, and'took the first three games. Haege and Malfroy then made a strong effort, and, playing in their best style, equalised. Andrews and Seay were driving and smashing hard to Malfroy’s backhand, but the Wellington lad was so steady under the onslaught that he returned everything. At 5 all, Haege and Malfroy made a final effort, and carried off_ the next two games, and with it the victory. Great volleying duels were seen in these two games, and the final rally was by far the best of the match, being prolonged by a number of brilliant recoveries. After clever, fast exchanges at close quarters Andrews netted one, and gave the match to ~iaogc and Malfroy. Vic. and Clive Johns simply faded away in their third round match against Robson and Bartlcet. The brothers opened with a great flourish, taking the initial set, 6-2. Robson and Bartlcet, who appeared languid and indifferent up till the middle of the second set, came with a rush, and there was no doubt about the result from then on. Details: — MIXED DOUBLES. —first Hound.— Miss Spiers and France beat Miss C'olehrook and J. A. F. Watson, 6-3, 8-6 —Second Round.— Miss Knight and Sims beat Mrs Arneil and Pickmere, 8-6, 6-1. LADIES’ SINGLES. —Third Round.— Mrs Melody beat Miss Witherow, 6-1, 6-3. LADIES’ DOUBLES. —Third Round.— Misses Lloyd and Watson beat Misses Howo and Ramsay, C-T, 6-4, BOYS’ SINGLES. —First Round.— M. Ferkins (Wellington) beat A. R. Walton (Auckland), 6-5, 6-4. —Second Round.— Bowden (Auckland) won by default from Tawhiri (Poverty Bay).