LAWN TENNIS NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 109, 8 April 1936, Page 2

LAWN TENNIS NOTES

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS COMPLETED. Owing to heavy rain at Levin last Saturday the match between Palmerston North, the winner of the northern section of the inter-club competition, and Levm, the winner of the southern section, had to be postponed and is likely to bo played on Saturday 18th instant. But though wet in Levin the weather here was perfect for tennis, the light being good and there being an entire absence of wind, so that all the club championships were brought to a conclusion with the exception of the men’s singles in which Robertson had reached the final with both lives intact, and Livingstone with one life the latter having been beaten by Robertson in an earlier round s—-7, 6—4, 6—3. Since then Livingstone had beaten Boddy 6—4, 6—4, who in turn had beaten the Association’s champion, Dr. . Salmond, 6—2,. 6—2 in the final of the Feilding championship. It was evident that Livingstone had reached his best form, while Robertson has been a little off his game lately. In the first set Livingstone at once took the lead, and playing an attacking game, with profitable visits to the net, won the first set 6—4, Robertson, however, very frequently loses the first set —as he did in his previous match with Livingstone and against bairn on d in the inter-club match—and goes on to win the next two. On this occasion, however, he was never able to get a lead, and Livingstone serving and driving hard, and volleying well at the net, took the second set at 6 —4. This leaves them with one life apiece and they will play off for the title during the Easter holidays. Mrs Waldin, who has had a very successful season, had already won the women’s event, beating Mrs Lennon 6—2, 6—4 in the final match. Incidentally, the official terms are “women’s” singles and doubles, both in Britain and America, not “ladies.” In those sports where those of the weaker sex arc left to themselves they always call themselves “women,” e.g. The Women’s Cricket Association, The Women’s Rowing Association etc. Another term peculiar to New Zealand reports is that mixed doubles are often referred to as “conbined” doubles, a very unsuitable term in most cases as the form is generally very mixed and the combination conspicuous by its absence. Another absurd custom in reports in this country is that a player “defeats” his opponent, instead of “beating” him as is usual elsewhere. Perhaps those who send ill the reports are so “refined” that they cannot bear to think of any player being beaten by his opponent. But to get back to the Palmerston North championships. In the. mixed, Fox, who won last year with Mrs Anderson, again came through to the final partnered by Mrs Waldin. The other finalists were Hill and Mrs Lennon. The first set resulted in a very even struggle, Hill and Mrs Lennon leading at. 6—5, and Fox and Mrs Waldin winning at B—6. The second set was all in favour of Hill and Mrs Lennon, both playing very well and winning 6—2. The third set was very similar, the same pair winning 6—3. The men’s doubles proved an easy win for Robertson and Livingstone, Manawatu’s leading pair, who beat McLachlan and O’Brien 6—3, 6—l. The latter pair were, runners-up last year. The women’s doubles was won by Mrs Beattie and Miss Astle, who beat Misses Graham and Barnett 6—o, 7—5. The latter pair did so well in the second set that if they had pulled it off they might well have won the match. Miss Barnett is the most improved player in the club. In the match between London and Paris Borotra again showed how big is the gap between himself and the other French players. Nigel Sharpe, who is ranked about seventh in Britain played top for London. He has played at Dulwich for many years without a single defeat, and meeting Boussus, who is France’s No. 1, he won 7—5, 4—6, 6—o, thus retaining his unbeaten record. But on the second day lit met Borotra, who had come over by aeroplane to play for Paris, and was beaten 2 —6, 3—6.