TENNIS

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 25 August 1925, Page 3

TENNIS

WOMEN’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. FINALS REACHED. 8Y CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT NEW YORK, Aug. 23. England will face America in the women’s national championship finals to-morrow. In the semi-finals Miss McKane was very close to defeat at the hands of Mrs Mallory, former American champion, who played magnificent tennis. took the first from the British girl and forced the latter to save the second and third, Miss McKane winning 4—6, 7—5. B—6. Mrs Mallory Was twice within two points of victory on the tenth game of the final set, only to be turned back, Miss McKane fighting courageously and storming the net with superb daring. Miss McKane’s persistent net attack, coupled with her splendid steadiness in the crisis, carried the day.

In the other semi-final Miss Wills failed to reach her true form until she had dropped the first set 6 —3 to Miss Goss. The American champion increased the pressure of her attack in the second set, and clashed through at love, giving a dazzling exhibition of sustained power. Though the pace slackened in the third set, it was still too severe for Miss Goss when an imwortant point hung in the balance, and Miss Wills won 6—2.

In the doubles Misses Wills and Browne, wlio were beaten easily in the deciding match in the international games on August 5, overwhelmed the strong British combination, Mrs Chambers and Mis« Harvey, winning 6—3, 6 —3. Miss Ryan and Mrs Bundy defeated Miss Goss and Miss Jessup 6 —4, 6—3. Mi ss Ryan’s decisive net play dominated the match. THE OHALI/K’N’GEIR, “FRANCE—NOT AUSTRALIA.” MELBOURNE, Aug. 12. “Hnanupe and not Aai.srt.rali,a will p roto - baibly be the challenging nation to the United States for the final round of ttoa Davits Cup this year.” This view of the lawn tennis situation. was expressed to-day by Mr. H. S. Utz, who returned with bis wife on the Cli i tral to-dia.y. ‘ ‘From the play I saw in England and on the Continent./’ be said, • think the Australians will have difficulty in defeating iplaye.rs like Ltfucosibe and" Borotra.. Both are greatly improved. and -are at tlie top of their fo.r m.

“At Wimbledon Anderson could not hold Lae,os,to. The Frenchmani is one of the best volleys in tlie world, and with Bprctra, in the doubles will take a. lot of defeating. Patterson and O’Hiata Wood in form, might be better players, but .they would need to be at their best to defeat the French pair. “What .struck me about Anderson,” Mr. Utz .said, “was that lie was much Glower on h.i:s feet, than ini .previous years, and if Was a hopeless proposition for him to keep up with Lacioste. Both Laoaste and Bonotila, seem to revel in their work, and the more running .about they get. the better they semi to too pleased.” Mr. Utz said the standard of tennis lie saw overseas was amazingly good, and Australia would have to improve even to keep her pla.ee as the challenging illation, for the, Davis Cup.