TENNIS STARS

Evening Star, Issue 23500, 14 February 1940, Page 3

TENNIS STARS

SUCCESSFUL AUSTRALIANS WIN ALL CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS BROMWICH OUTSTANDING [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 13. As was expected, the Australians annexed every title in the New Zealand Centennial Lawn Tennis Championships. Wellington’s notorious northerly wind did much to mar the play; but, even so, the visitors showed immeasurably superior form throughout the tournament. New Zealand’s only hopes in to-day’s finals were Angas and Brown in the men’s doubles, and Mrs Gallagher (formerly Miss Dulcie Nicholls) with Miss Hardcastle in the women’s doubles; but, as the results show, the Australians were never seriously threatened, and won almost as they liked. Although not extended in his early matches, Bromwich, on his wonderful form against Crawtord in the final of the men’s singles, emerged as the outstanding player of the tournament. Crawford, with his artistry and grace, was always a favourite of the spectators, and, if only on account of his personality, he dominated every match in which 'he played. Miss Wynne showed supreme dominance over the other women players, winning the singles and the doubles with Miss Coyne. The New Zealand players did not go down to the visitors without a stern fight, and among the hardest battlers were Angas, of Canterbury, and Howe, of Wellington. Another outstanding player was the 16-year-old Sydney boy, R. Barnes, whose form, throughout the tournament showed him to be a player of Davis Cup potentialities. CRAWFORD DEFEATED. Revealing form which has won him the ranking of No. 2 player in the world, Bromwich vanquished Crawford in the fanal of the men’s singles in straight'sets. Crawford showed all his artistry and courtcraft, but Bromwich was irresistible. Youth weighed heavily in favour of Bromwich, and his remarkable agility enabled him to match his more experienced opponent from the base line. Both players struck an immaculate length m their driving, and there were numerous prolonged rallies. Crawford often took the net to volley for what appeared to be certain winners only to be passed by Bromwich, whose retrieving shots were nothing short of brilliant. Crawford frequently placed himself in the position of a winning game, but as ofteri as not he lost the advantage by netting easy returns.

Bromwich drove into the net frequently in the first few games, and Crawford established a lead in the first set of 4-1, but the. younger player, showing characteristic concentration, drew level at 5 all, and went on to win the set at 7-5. Bromwich was right on his game in the second set, and after a 3-1 lead he ran to 5-2, thus putting himself in a commanding position. Crawford was more troubled by the wind than Bromwich, and he made numerous costly mistakes to drop the set at 3-6. Bromwich maintained his consistently good form in the third set, which he also won 6-3 after quickly running to a lead of 3-1. Tn winning to-day Bromwich avenged his defeat by Crawford in the semi-final of the Australian Championship early this year.

AN INVINCIBLE COMBINATION. . Naturally, such an invincible combination as Crawford and Bromwich in the men’s doubles gave Angas and Brown no chance of taking even one set. The wind was still gusty •when the match began, but although it undoubtedly spoiled any _ chance of brilliant play, the Australians skimmed ahead set after set to win 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. Brown seemed too eager, and instead of playing a defensive game until he had found his length, he insisted time after time on talking the offensive, usually to the disadvantage of the New Zealand pair. The Australians led 4-0 in the first set, without the Canterbury men showing anything commensurate with the ability displayed by their opponents. Brown occasional!v brought off an apparent winner, only to see it beaten by one of Bromwich’s two-handed flicks which were usually sufficient to win the point. Angas shuddered as one shot past him like a bullet. The ball-boys were causing many annoying delays by their thoughtless concentration of the balls at one end at a time. Crawford, who always carried at least three when serving, was often offered in unwelcome succession as many as six. Bromwich holds only two, one of which he drops on the back of the court when his first service reaches its objective. Angas showed a marked improvement as the match progressed. He was covering the court with commendable speed, and took the lion’s share of the play. The wind appeared to be responsible for causing one of Brown’s second serves to sail out of sight behind the adjacent buildings, and a little later Crawford again caused amusement by cutting a ball from two feet away to. dribble over the net after one of ti. few bright rallies of the match. Tht sixth and seventh games of the final set saw some of the best rallies, with Angas always prominent. MISS WYNNE’S BRILLIANT PLAY. By her all-round play throughout the tournament, Miss Wynne stood out far ahead of all the other women competitors. In the final of the women’s singles to-day she beat Miss Coyne with case in straight sets. The first set was closely contested, but in the second Miss Wynne virtually swept her opponent off the court. She revealed fast and accurate _ service, and scored many winners with sizzling drives down tho sidelines, which gave Miss Coyne no chance of recovery. The wind was at its worst in this match, on one occasion taking the ball yards out of reach from Miss Coyne when she was about to play it. Mrs Gallagher, who was at one time New Zealand’s champion woman player, showed that she was short of match play in tho women’s doubles final, and although Miss Hardcastle drove consistently well on the forehand, Miss Wynne* and Miss Coyne showed a marked superiority at the net and riddled the defence with cleanly-hit volleys. The Australian women are outstanding in this department of the game, and in doubles they always outclassed the New Zealanders throughout the tournament. The prizes were presented by Mr A. G. Henderson, president of tho New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association. Results of the finals;— MEN’S SINGLES. .1. Bromwich (Australia) beat J. Crawford (Australia), 7-5, G-3, 6-3.

MEN’S DOUBLES. J. Bromwich and J. Crawford (Australia) beat C. Angas (Canterbury) and A. D. Brown (Canterbury), 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. WOMEN’S SINGLES. Miss N. Wynne (Australia) beat Miss T. Coyne (Australia), 6-4, 6-1. WOMEN’S DOUBLES. Misses N. Wynne and T. Coyne (Australia) beat Mrs Gallagher (Wellington) and Miss Hardcastle (Australia). 6-1, 6-2. MEN’S PLATE. M. Ferkins (Wellington) beat J. Hamilton (Wellington), 6-4, 7-5. EXHIBITION MATCHES WOMEN TO PLAY AT DUNEDIN [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 13. The Australians will play at Christchurch to-morrow in exhibition matches. Crawford and Bromwich will return via Wellington to Australia, but the women will play at Timaru this week and at Dunedin on Monday. Later they will visit Masterton, Wanganui, Hawera, and Rotorua. They should leave Auckland about the end of February,