TENNIS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10509, 13 February 1928, Page 7

TENNIS

FRENCH CHAMPIONS v. AUSTRALIAJNb. BOROTRA’S BRILLIANT PLAY. JUnited Press Assn. -Copyright.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 10. Some bright tennis -Avas seen in the doubles match betiveen Borotra and Boussus and Patterson and O’Hara Wood, Avhich the Australian pair Avon 6—4, £—2. Borotra was the outstanding player, Avith Wood very close behind him. Patterson had a tendency to take his drives too loav and frequently found the. net. Boussus, until near the end of the second set, did not .find his leet. lie seemed nonplussed by the speed of tho play, and mistimed a lot of his volleys. Boussus played on the right-hand side of the court, and the Australians were not long in finding tlic* Aveakness of bis backhand. Patterson served consistently te thaDcorner, and even when Boussus ivas able to return the delivery it was generally Aveak, leaving too much court open. AUSTRALIA v. FRANCE. BOROTRA AND BOUSSUS BEATEN IN SINGLES. 'United Press Assn.) (Received Feb. 12, 5.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE, l'cb. 12. The international tennis contests betAveen Australia and France weio continued in hot .weather. In tnc men’s singles Borotra Avas. beaten lor the first time in Australia by Crawlord G—l, G—l. Crawford played a magnificent game)-frequently passing Borotra at the net and at other times driving hard to hm.vfect. Crawford has never played better than he did in this match, tie ivas extraordinarily severe on both hands. O’Hara Wood beat Boussus (j—2, 3—-6, B—t>O’Hara Wood beat Boussus, G—2, 36, B—6. Play ivas even and Ijrilliant in the earlier sets and there were many thrilling rallies, the Frenchman’s errors giving Wood some chances-, of ivhich he took full advantage. In the final siAt, Wood brought all reserve energy into play, and AVith the match point in his favor, served a hot ace, Avhich flashed past the Frenchman, and Avon the match. VISITORS WIN DOUBLES In the doubles Borotra and Bruguon beat Patterson and Hopmari—--4 o, o— t , G—3, G 4, i —o. Ibe match ivas spectacular, with all the players-at the top of their form. The Australians Avon the first tAvo sets, but the visitors gradualy made up the leeAvay. The fifth set Avas a thrilling game and progressed evenly to 3 all. Mopman dropped his service in the seventh game and the FVenchmen won the next, giving them the lead, 5 The Frenchmen held the match point, but the Australians Avon tho next three for the game. Borotra served but lost the game for five ail and Avinning the next, led 6 5. Brugnon served the final game and Avon the set 7—5, and the match. U.S. NATIONAL RANKINGS. (Aust. and N.Z. Press Assn.) (Received February 12. 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, Feb. 12, The United States Luavh Tennis Association’s annual meeting at Chicago decided to present to the Davis Cup: committee Tilden’s -suggestion to designate tAvo Davis Clip teams, one to play on American soil and another to get at least six ivoeks’ practice under European conditions before attempting to enter the challenge round, thus they avoulc! not jeopardise their chances Giving to lack of acclimatisation. The national ranking oi tennis' leaders omits Johnston’s name lor the first time for many years. The first ten are Tilden. Hunter, Lott. Alonzo, Hennessey, Van Ryan, Jones. Jloeg. White. Holman, and the first five ay omen are Miss Wills, Miss Mallory, Mrs. Chapin, Miss Jacobs and Miss Goss. The Association also decided to approA’e to open tournaments m ivliich the professionals and amateurs may compete, but only after special permission bas bet'll granted. The dates fixed for the national singles at Forest Hills is September 10. and the men’s doubles at Boston on August 27. Tilden and Hunter are first in the doubles with Johnston aim N o rri s-Wi 11 iamsru nne r- np.