TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 February 1940, Page 11

TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

TITLES FOR AUSTRALIANS. [PJEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, February 12. The first of the New Zealand' lawn tennis titles of 1939-40 to be decided —the mixed doubles championship—was won to-day by J. Bromwich and Miss T. Coyne (Australia) after a brilliant match with J. H. Crawford and Miss N. Wynne, also of Australia. In the remaining finals to-morrow, New Zealand has only three representatives. The men’s singles lies, as expected, between Bromwich and Crawford, the women’s singles between Misses Wynne and Coyne, the men’s doubles between Crawford and Bromwich arid A. D. Brown and C. Angas (Canterbury), and the women’s doubles between Misses Wynne and Coyne and Miss M. Hardcastle (Australia) and Mrs. Gallagher. The remaining semi-finals and the mixed doubles final to-day attracted a large crowd to Miramar, but although the weather was fine and sunny, still another howling northerly wind ruined playing conditions. There were several fine matches in the afternoon, but the Australians completely dominated play. Crawford beat Angas in four sets, and Bromwich beat R. Howe (Wellington) in three, only one of which was closely fought.

Brown and Angas - beat D. G. France and N. G. Sturt, to reach the final of the doubles, but the match was largely spoilt by the cautious tactics adopted by the players in an endeavour to cope with the wind. The young Australian, R. Barnes, gave the crowd yet another thrill by playing splendidly with Miss P. Cooke (Auckland) to take a set from Crawford and Miss Wynne in the mixed doubles semi-final. Bromwich and Miss Coyne came through with less difficulty, although Howe and Miss M. Beverley (Waikato) played well against them. Results: — MEN’S SINGLES. Semi-finals. J. Bromwich (Australia) beat R. Howe (Wellington), 8/6, 6/2, 6/1. J. H. Crawford (Australia) beat C. Angas (Canterbury), 6/2, 6/1. 2/6, 6/3.

MEN’S DOUBLES. Semi-final. A. D. Brown and C. Angas (Canterbury) beat N. G. Sturt (Auckland) and D. G. France (Wellington), 5/7, 6/2, 6/2. 6/1. Brown and Angas will meet Bromwich and Crawford in the final tomorrow. MIXED DOUBLES. Semi-finals. Crawford and Miss Wynne beat R. Barnes (Australia) and Miss P. Cooke (Auckland), 6/0, 6/8, 6/0. Bromwich and Miss Coyne beat Howe and Miss M. Beverley (Waikato), 6/4, 6/4. ■ Final.

Bromwich and Miss Coyne beat Crawford and Miss Wynne, 7/5, 6/2. WOMEN’S PLATE. Semi-final. • s Miss M. Howe (Wellington) beat Miss J. Nicholls (Wellington), 6/3, 6/2. Final.. Miss Cooke beat Miss Howe, 3/6, 6/3, 6/0. VETERANS’ DOUBLES. R. V. Hooper (Manawatu) and M. L. Lampe (Wanganui) beat R. Browning (Canterbury) and D. F. Glanville (Canterbury). 6/4, 4/6,10/8.

TO-DAY’S PLAY. WELLINGTON, February 13. The strong northerly wind which has blown with exasperating consistency for almost the duration of the New Zealand Centennial tennis championships at Miramar, marred the final day’s play to-day, when four championship events were decided. The Australian players, who contested all the finals, found difficulty in controlling their shots, and play seldom reached the high standard that coiild have been expected had conditions been ourable. Several hundred spectators were present when the final of the women’s singles began shortly after midday, between Miss Wynne and Miss Coyne, and by early afternoon, a large gallery followed the play with keen interest.

Women’s singles final: Miss Wynne (Australia) defeated Miss Coyne (Australia) 6/4, 6/1. The match was fought out from the baseline, and considering the unfavourable conditions, the driving of both players was particularly good. Miss Wynne’s powerful forehand functioned well, and her placing was vastly superior to that of her opponent. Showing greater steadiness, Miss Wynne ran to a 3/1 lead, and although Miss Coyne recovered to 4/5, her opponent won the tenth game and set, after being down 15/40. With Miss Wynne showing even better forni than in the first, the second set was of short duration. Both players were upset throughout the match by wind. One fierce gust carried the ball yards away from Miss Coyne, before she had a chance of hitting it.

U.S.A. PLAYERS BARRED NEW YORK, February 10. The United States' Tennis Association has barred Mako and Sabin from participation in tournaments for an indefinite period. Application by tliem for reinstatement cannot be received before October 1 next. This action is the most-severe taken since Tilden was suspended in 1928. , The players did not appear personally, but replied to charges against them at length by means of correspondence.