BIG TENNIS

Evening Star, Issue 21013, 29 January 1932, Page 2

BIG TENNIS

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS YESTERDAY’S PLAY [Per United Press Association.! AUCKLAND, January 28. Beautifully ffpc weather prevailed again to-day for tho fourth day’s play in the New Zealand tennis championships.' There was a good attendance of tho public, whoso interest increased as tho various sections progressed towards tho semi-final and the final stages. Tho big features of tho day’s play were tho elimination of title-holders, and tho success of tho four members of tho New South Wales team in tho ]adk t’ singles. The semi-finals and tho finals will now bo contested by them. Their all-round play proved too much for tho New Zealanders. Play in tho men’s singles saw Barnett (Canterbury), Wilson (Wellington), Bartleet (Auckland), and Angus (Canterbury) remain in to contest the semi-finals. Barnett and Angas were responsible for tho elimination of two strong contenders—Stedman and D. G. Franco.

Tho four seeded pairs still remain in tho men’s doubles. Tho final of tho ladies’ doubles will be contested between the Australians, Misses Valkcnbnrg. and Hall, and Mrs Dykes (Wellington) and Miss Knight (Auckland). The last-named pair eliminated tho two other Australians, Misses Lloyd ami Hartigan. Barnett was much the steadier player in the nuitch with Stedman. Ho sent practically everything back, no matter how hard it was driven. Barnett put a good deal of spin on the ball, and this, combined with variation of length, forced his opponent into errors. Stedman raised the hopes, of his supporters in tho second set, when he drove magnificently into both forehand and backhand corners. However, ho seemed afraid to follow to the net and try playing tho samo game as his opponent. Ho suffered by comparison in steadiness. Barnett’s anticipation and ability to cover tho ground were marvellous. Nothing like it has been seen at the courts for years, not excepting players from overseas. Playing with greater steadiness and showing a bigger variety of strokes, Angas beat D. G. France in a game that was productive of good tennis. Angus interspersed pretty drives down tho sideline with spin shots which had Franco in trouble.

On account of greater fitness and better form Bartleet experienced little difficulty in beating Laurenson. Bartleet made many errors in the first set, Laurenson being quick to turn mistakes to amount, but Bartleet thou began to play his usual game, and the result then was never in doubt.

When Mrs Dykes and Miss Hall met in Christchurch* recently they had a great match, and the spectators yesterday looked for a repetition, but were sadly disappointed. Mrs Dykes played a long way' below form, netting the majority of her drives and smashes, while her service lacked the usual sting. In her match with Miss Hartigan Miss Nicholls put up an unexpectedly poor showing in the first set, with the result that she was under a severe handicap for the rest of the match, and, although she took the second set after close play and did well in the final sr , her task was hopeless. Miss Hartigan was right on her game from the outset, and made no mistakes. A powerful service, hard driving, greater command of strokes, and more varied play gave Miss Valkenburg a comfortable win over Mrs France, who made a good fight in the first set against her more experienced opponent. In the second set the Wellington player could not cope with Miss Valkenburg’s tireless’ attack, and was never dangerous. Mrs Molesworth was too strong all round for Miss Knight. Her service was more powerful, while her driving on both hands frequently left'-her opponent standing. This victory completed the successes of the Australians. Afternoon results: — MEN’S SINGLES. FOURTH ROUND. Bartlcct (Auckland) beat Laurcnson (Waikato), 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-1. Wilson (Wellington) beat Court (Hawke’s Bay), (score not given). IVIEN’S DOUBLES. THIRD ROUND. France and France beat Charters and Robinson, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5. Wilson and Stedmau boat Griffiths and Harrison, 7-5, 6-1, 6-0. Angas and Barnett beat Robertson and Deader, 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0. Bartlcit and Laurenson boat Court and Lainpe, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2. WOMEN’S DOUBLES. SEMI-FINAL. Misses Valkenburg and Hall beat Mrs Melody and Miss Nicholls, 6-2, 6-4. Mrs Dykes and Miss Knight beat Misses Lloyd and Hartigan, 7-5, 6-4. MIXED DOUBLES. SECOND ROUND. Miss Hall and Johns beat Miss Ecclcs and Pickmore, 7-5, 6-2. THIRD ROUND. ■ ' Miss Hartigan and Steadman beat Mrs Thomson and Wilson, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. Miss Nicholls and A( L. France beat Miss Howell and Court, 6-0, 6-4. Miss Valkenburg and Morrison beat Mrs Molesworth and Griffiths, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. Miss Macfarlane and Sturt beat Miss Hall and Johns, 6-3, 2-6, 8-6. SEMI-FINAL. Roussell (Wellington) beat Davys (Wellington), 6-2, 7-5.