LAWN TENNIS

Evening Star, Issue 20687, 9 January 1931, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS

[By Recorder.]

FIXTURES. January 6,7, 8,9, and 10.—Nortli Island and Taranaki Championships, at New Plymouth. January 12, 13, 14, and 15.—Manawatu Championships, at Palmerston North. January 21, 22. 23, and 24.—Wellington Provincial Championships, at Wellington. January 21, 22, 23, and 24.—Wairarapa Championships, at Masterton. January 28, 29, 30, and 31.—Auckland Provincial Championships, at Auckland. January 29, 30, and 31.—Canterbury Provincial Championships, at Christchurch. Easter Dates. South _ Island Hard Court Championships, at Dunedin; Canterbury Hard Court Championships, at Christchurch; North Auckland Association Championships, at Whangarei; Thames Valley Association Championships, at Thames; Wellington Association Tournament, at Miramar, Wellington.

The B grade matches will be resumed to-morrow, and as both sections are still very open, some keen competition, will be seen in these matches.

A special feature of the Otago championships which were concluded at New 'Year was the outstanding play of a number of the younger players. The most outstanding of these were Miss Miller, of Oamaru, Miss Cox, Miss Betty Fraser, and the two boys Hawksworth, of Balmaceweu Club, and Highet, of St. Hilda. Another two young players who showed they have the makings of champions were Stuckey and Rigby, from Invercargill. , .. It is a good thing for the game in Otago that these young. players are showing up so well, and once the grass courts become an established fact at Logan Park, and our players have the opportunity for practise on grass, there is reason to believe that Otago will be able to hold its own with the northern provinces. Playing in the South Canterbury championships at Timaru at New Year,' H. Pollock was defeated by Warne Pearse in the second, 6-2, 8-6. After taking the first set with the loss of but two games, Pearse found the opposition much stronger in the second set, but bis form was good, and he was getting his best shots in a manner that was a treat to watch. The Temuka man was playing' at the top of his form, and his straight-set victory was thoroughly merited. In the championship doubles Pollock and Deaker were defeated in the second round by W. E. Renton and B. E. Souter in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Souter’s solid ground shots gave his partner heaps of opportunities at the net, while both were severe overhead.Pollock and Deaker challenged strongly in both sets, but they lacked the ability to finish their volleys, which had not sufficient length and pace, in consequence of which Renton and Souter often were enabled to turn defence into attack.

In the next round Renton and Souter were defeated fairly easily by G, Sumpter and W. G. Robertson, 6-2, 6-3. ’

H. A. Barnett, runner-up in the New Zealand championships, entered the final of the singles by defeating G. Sumpter, of Oamaru, 7-5, 6-0. Sumpter made a bid for the first set, producing some of his best tennis, Barnett waited for his opponent to play himself out. and Sumpter complied, being obviously fatigued. Both played some good shots in. the first set. - Barnett sending back some wonderful recoveries.

Barnett won the final hv defeating W. G. Robertson, first man for South Canterbury, in a five-set match, the final score being 6-3, 7-5. 3-6, 2-6, 6-0 in. Barnett’s favour. The conditions during the match were far from good. A gusty nor’-wcsterly wind played all sorts of tricks with shots in the air, and then rain began to fall while the fifth and final set was in progress. Barnett’s fitness and ability to adapt himself to the conditions were the deciding factors. Robertson, although he erred too frequently, played much the better tennis of the two, and at one stage looked as though he might pull the match out of the fire.

Mrs N. Thomson (nee May Tracy), second ranked lady of Wellington, defeated Miss M. Gibson, of Timaru, in the _ final of the ladies’ singles in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Mrs Thomson’s clever placements drew round after round of applause from the gallery, and she gave the impression that she invariably had the measure of her opponent.

The following inquiry has been received: “Is it in order for a player to hold the racket with both hands whilst' hitting the ball?” The answer is yes.

W. T. lilden, according to latest cable advice, has relinquished all amateur standing. He has signed a contract to play professional tennis in America and on a world tour, to be announced later. Karol Kozeluk. the noted ( Checko-Slovakian professional, will be his first opponent. The finals of the singles in the New Zealand championships were both onesided games, Steedman and Mrs Dykes winning their respective matches easier than some previous games. The final of the men's double between Seay and Angas and France brothers was, however, a brilliant exhibition of men’s doubles play. Seay and Angas completely answered those critics who, while admitting the skill of the individual players, were of the opinion that they would not be a happy combination, writes a northern critic.