TENNIS TITLES

Evening Star, Issue 23492, 5 February 1940, Page 8

TENNIS TITLES

DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS AUSTRALIANS COMPETING [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 5. Brilliant sunshine with a light breeze provided ideal conditions for the opening this morning of the New Zealand Centenpial tennis championships at Miramar. The entries include not only all the best New Zealand talent, but also the Australian topline players —J. Bromwich, J» H. Crawford, Misses T. Coyne, N. Wynne, and M. Hardcastle — ■whose appearance will addl outstanding interest* to the tournament. ‘ While it is expected that the Australians will contest all the finals, the leading New Zealand players can be relied upon to give the visitors many hardfought matenes. The Australians wjll arrive to-morrow morning, and will make their first appearance in the second round of the singles championship. By defeating P. Hawkesworth. who is the Wairarapa champion, R. M'Kenzie, the 17-year-old New Zealand junior champion, provided the outstanding result of the first round in the men’s singles. It was mostly a baseline duel, in which both players produced tennis of a high standard at times. M'Kenzie was steadier than his harder hitting opponent, who outed and netted too often. The third set was notable for a fine recovery by Hawks worth, Down 2-5, he levelled the scores to 6 all, scoring many winners with fast and beautifully-placed drives. He then fell into errors, and dropped the set. MEN’S SINGLES. —First Round.— M. J. Corich (Canterbury) beat E. .Walker (Wellington). 6-1, 6-3, 7-5. N. G. Sturt (Auckland) heat S. S. Hooper (Manawatu), 6-2, 6-3, 6-0. S. Painter (Wellington) beat C, W. Cresswell (Southland) by default. R. M'Kenzie (Wellington) beat P. Hawkesworth (Manawatu), 6-3, 3-6, 8-6, 9-7. R.. V. Robb (Wellington) bent R. Slrarpe (Hawke's Bay), 8-6, 6-3, 6-2. WOMEN’S SINGLES. * —First Round.— Mrs D. G. France (Wellington) beat Miss E. Attwood (Manawatu), 6-2, 6-4. Mrs 1/ Hatherley (Canterbury) beat Miss M. Kerr (Otago), 6-2, 2-6, 6-1. Miss M. Howe (Wellington) beat Miss M; Glenny (Hawke’s Bay), 6-1, 6-3. Miss J. Douthett (Wellington) beat Miss K. Armstrong (Canterbury), 6-3,-10-8. Miss P. Longton (Wellington) beat Miss C. Chester (Canterbury), 8-6, 8-6.