LAWN TENNIS

Evening Star, Issue 21009, 25 January 1932, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS

N.Z. TOURNEY OPENS SEVENTY ENTRANTS IN MEN'S SINGLES [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, January 25. The New Zealand Lawn Tennis Associaton’s championship tournament opened this morning under ideal conditions. There are seventy entrants for the men’s championship, and thirtyfive for the women’s, including the five members; of the Australian team. Concurrently with to-day’s championship play the interprovincial Wilding Shield final (Canterbury v, Wellington) and the winners of the test match, Australia v. New Zealand, are being finished. Added interest is given to the men’s championship because of the fact that the Canterbury colt, Barnett, playing in the Wilding Shield matches, has already beaten three leading players, including the 1928 champion, Bartleet, and the present champion, Stedman. Results: — MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP. —First Round.— Robinson (Auckland) beat Deaker (Otago), 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. Turner (Auckland) beat Hayr (North Auckland) by default. Brown (Auckland) beat Schadick (West Coast). 6-2, 7-5, 6-3. Wright (Thames valley) beat A. Dickie (son of the former New Zealand doubles champion), 6-3, 6-3, 6-2. Court (Hawke’s Bay) beat Johns (Auckland),- 6-4, 6-4, 8-6. Charters (Auckland) beat Melody (Wellington), 3-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3. Taylor (Auckland) heat Christmas (Auckland, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 10-8. Laurenson (Waikato) beat Notman (Otago), 6-2, 6-0. ’

WOMEN’S SINGLES. —First Round.— Miss Johnson (Canterbury) heat Miss Needham (Auckland), 6-1, 6-3. Miss Howe (Wellington) beat Miss Roberton (Auckland), 6-2, 6-3.

WILDING SHIELD CANTERBURY LEADING The Wilding Shield final between Canterbury and Wellington was continued this morning, when D. G. Franco sprang a surprise by decisively beating the Canterbury colt, Barnett, who was hitherto unbeaten.

France played Barnett at his own game. Barnett was not at home with the slow stuff, and soon found himself making errors. He varied his tactics, just as he did in his earlier matches, but France found a counter for everything. France played patiently, woihed Barnett out of position, and polished off the rallies with beautiful “kills” at the net. In the first set, his overhead shots were weak, but he improved in the second, and was always Barnett’s master. Angas (Canterbury) beat Wilson (Wellington),' 6-2, 7-5. L. France (Wellington) beat Glanville (Canterbury), 6-3, 6-4. Patterson (Canterbury) beat Roussell (Wellington), 6-4. D. G. France (Wellington) beat Barnett (Canterbury), 7-5, 6-1. With the doubles matches to play Canterbury is leading by five matches to three.