TENNIS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 January 1925, Page 4

TENNIS

DOMINION TOURNAMENT,

CBT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, Jan. 1. The New Zealand tennis championships concluded to-day in beautiful weather, the courts being hard and fast. The Governor-General XSir Charles Fergusson) was present in the afternoon and presented the trophies at the conclusion of play. The new champions are:— Men’s singles Ollivier (Canterbury). Men’s doubles—Smyth (Otago) and Fotheringham (Auckland). Ladies’ singles—Mrs Melody (Wellington). Ladies’ doubles —Mrs Melody (Wellington) and Miss McLaren (Otago). ■ Combined doubles—Andrews (Palmerston North) and Miss McLaren (Otago). Boys’ singles—Ferkins (Wellington). Girls’ singles—Miss Nicholls (Auckland). The Anthony Wilding Memorial Cup and the New Zealand Association’s banner for the association scoring the greatest number of points at the tournament was won by Wellington with six points. Canterbury and Otago each scored three points, and Auckland two. The final of the men’s singles between Ollivier (Canterbury) and Laurenson (Matamata) was played under perfect conditions, but the game was a most disappointing exhibition. It was the easiest win for Ollivier and he lost only two games in the three sets that he was called on to play. The progress of the match calls for little comment, for Ollivier simply, won from the beginning with practically no trouble. Consequent on the one-sided nature of the game, he did not show' his highestform. Although he gave nothing away, he was not called on to bring out all his talent and court craft.

On the previous day Ollivier outclassed D. G. France, 'who only played as well as Ollivier let him. Laurenson, however, while beaten by Ollivier’s strokes, was also beaten by himself. He played shocking tennis, for he can do much better than he did, even against a master like Ollivier. He missed the softest of shots and made mistakes like a novice. It was not that. Ollivier always had him beaten, but that when Laurenson himself had command of the court he failed to make scoring out of his posiiton. His smashing could not be compared with his strokes of the previous day.

At the same time Ollivier showed himself as easily., the best singles player in the Dominion. He went through the tournament without the loss of a single set and with the loss of only 25 games. His best exhibition was probably that against D- G. Prance. Still in to-day’s game he was almost as good. He put Laurenson out of position time and time again, and finished off with a beautifully placed drive; His overhead work was accurate and neatly done. His service was not quite as good as it had been on the other days, and he gave away two or three points by double faults. Laurenson was, generally speaking, at his mercy. When it is remembered that .the match was a final at the Dominion tournament it may be safely said that Ollivier on his tournament showing is in a class by himself in singles play. Mrs Melody (Wellington) won the title of ladies’ singles champion by defeating Miss Marjorie Macfarlane. (Auckland), after a long and tiring match, 6—3, 3—6, 7—5. The first set was clearly Mrs Melody’s, but in the second set Miss Macfarlane made, a good effort, and after leading 4 —o took the set at 6—3. In the third set Miss Macfarlane again took the lead, the score being 5—3. Then Mrs Melody made a great , recovery and evened the scores. She took the next and led 6—5. The twelfth game went as follows: Miss Macfarlane double-faulted, was caught by a half volley on the service line, outed the next ball, won the next point on her drive, but- lost the next and the match by hitting ou. There was little difference between the players. Neither showed much initiative, though Mrs-, Melody was slightly better in this respect. The winner relied almost exclusively on the cut she put on her drive, both from her forehand and backhand. Miss Macfarlane played a lifting drive, but used scarcely any other stroke. Thus there were some interminably long rallies, the number of strokes on several occasions being between 35 and 45. Mrs Melody came into net on occasions and scored from volleys. Miss Macfarlane seemed afraid to come in close to the net, and it is probable that if she had she. would have scored much better. As it was, she let Mrs Melody play her own game. Mrs Melody deserves credit for her' great recovery, and Miss Macfarlane was to blame for not finishing the match when she had the opportunity of a decisive win. The final of the ladies ’ doubles was scored by Mrs W. J. Melody (Wellington) and Miss J. McLaren (Otago) over Miss N. ■ A. Lloyd (New South Wales) and .Miss B. M. Knight (Auckland). A high standard of tennis was set in the match. The winners were clearly superior and did not lose a set. There was a great match in the final of the men’s doubles between Smyth (Otago) and Fotheringham (Auckland) and Ollivier and Seay .(Canterbury). After losing the first set Smyth and Fotheringham took the- next three anS the match. Smyth drove beautifully, and his tennis was generally superior. Fotheringham lobbed consistently well and made wonderful recoveries. Ollivier was also good at the beginning, but afterwards fell off. Seay was weaker and was worn down by the persistent attack of his opponents. T!k new holders of the combined doubles title are Andrews (Palmerston North) and Miss McLaren (Otago), who won fairly easily from the previous holders, Robson and Miss Macfarlane (Auckland). Miss McLaren played strong, steady tennis; Andrews made few mistakes. The other pair were tired from previous matches, and Robson failed to reproduce his best form.

In the junior match Ferldns (Wei lingto'n) held the title after losing the first set to Stuart (Auckland). Stuart’s volleying attempts lost him many points. Dulcie Nicholls (Auckland) retained the girls’ title, having a fairly easy match in the final. • Details: . , Men’s Singles. Final—Ollivier (Canterbury) beat Laurenson (Matamata); 6—-2, 6—o 6—o. , - ■ , • ■ • - Men’s Doubles. Third round—France and France (Wellington) beat Lainpe (Wanganui) and Wheeler (Marton), 5—7, 2 —-6, B—6, 6—4. '

Semi-finals—Ollivier and Seay (Canterbury) beat Wallace and Dickie (Taranaki), 2—6, 6— 2, 6—l, 6—4; Smytli (Otago) and Fotheringham(Auckland) beat France and France, 6 3—7, 7—5, 6—2. Final —Smyth and Fotheringham beat Ollivier and Seay 4—6, 6—4, 6—4, 7 —5. Ladies ’ Singles. Final—Mrs Melody (Wellington) beat Miss Marjorie Macfarlane (Auckland), 6—3, 3—6, 7—5. Ladies’ Doubles. Semi-finals—Miss Lloyd (New South Wales) and Miss Knight (Auckland) beat Mrs Marshall and Miss MaeCormick (Auckland). 6—2, 6—2. Mrs Melody (Wellington) and- Miss McLaren (Otago) beat Misses Macfarlane (Auckland), 6—3, 6—o. Final—Mrs Melody and Miss McLaren beat Miss Lloyd and Miss Knight, 6—3, 6—2. Qombined Doubles. Fourth round—Robson and Miss Marjorie Macfarlane (Auckland) beat Goss. (Canterbury) and Miss Lloyd (New South Walps), 6—4, I—6, 6—4. Semi-finals Andrews (Palmerston North) and Miss McLaren (Otago) beat Bartleet and Mrs Marshall (Auckland), 75, 6—4; Robson and Miss Macfarlane beat Mrs Melody (Wellington) and Wallace (Taranaki), 6—3, o—6,0 —6, 6—l. Final—Andrews and Miss McLaren beat Robson and Miss Macfarlane, 6—4, 6—3. TARANAKI v. AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND TEAM SELECTED. The team to represent Auckland in the match against Taranaki at New Plymouth on the conclusion of the Taranaki tennis tournament is as follows: E. L. Bartleet (Eden and Epsom), E. W. Griffiths (Remuera), W. A. Fotheringham (Remuera), Y. R. Johns (Eden and Epsom), H. Brinsden (Remuera), T. E. Clark (Onehunga), Miss B. M. Knight (Eden and- Epsom), Miss N. McObrmick (Remuera), Miss J. E. Ramsay (Eden and Epsom), and Miss B. Witherow (Parnell).

TARANAKI TOURNAMENT. A very popular feature in the tennis world will open on Tuesday next at New Plymouth, and enthusiasts will note that entries will close to-day with the secretary, Mr J.' Bracken Wilson. The four days of the tournament will be occupied with championship events —singles and, doubles for ladies and men and .for boys and girls, and also combined doubles. There will also be a series of handicap events. The secretary reports that entries received are most satisfactory and. ensure keen rivalry and much good play. This year’s tournament is certain to be quite on a par with the successful meetings held in previous years.