Bedford and Sturt Win Unchallenged in Tennis Tourney

Northern Advocate, 30 January 1939, Page 8

Bedford and Sturt Win Unchallenged in Tennis Tourney

[Special to "Northern Advocate ”]

AUCKLAND, This Day. Straight-set wins in the men’s singles semi-finals of the Auckland annual provincial lawn tennis championships by N. F. Bedford, who defeated the redoubtable J. W. Gunn, and by N. G. Sturt, who accounted for J. T. Mayson in three easy sets, were highlights of Saturday’s play i The four contestants in the semifinals comprised the Auckland team in the Wilding tournament last week.

Bedford was considered beforehand to have an even chance of pulling off a win from Gunn, but Sturt’s task was held by the critics to be a much more difficult one. He won with comparative ease, playing brilliant tennis. That the veteran’s brilliance was appreciated was manifested in the tumultuous applause from the big gallery. The Beverley sisters, of Matamata, had no trouble in disposing in straight sets of their opponents in the women’s doubles semi-finals, but Misses P. Cooke and B. L. Bishop had a stiff fight to down their opponents. After losing their opportunity to eliminate Pattinson and Charters in straight sets in the men’s doubles semi-finals, R. W. Smith and M. T. Wilson went ahead to win easily. This dash produced sparkling volleying work. Straight Sets Suffice.

N. G. Sturt’s defeat of J. T. Ivlayson in straight sets at 6 —2, 6—4, 6—3 was one of the surprises of the day. Sturt took the initiative all the way, and

his cross-court drives were executed with accuracy. He showed some of his earlier true form. Sturt took the first set easily at 6—2, and had a lead of s—l on in the second set before Mayson woke up and fought back gallantly to bring the score to a trailer at 5—4. Sturt maintained his lead, however, and ran out a winner at 6 —4. The third set was a repetition of the, two previous ones, with Mayson fighting valiantly. It appeared that Mayson could have done better if he had lobbed against Sturt’s attack. Sturt’s smashing was his weakest point. Mayson did not seem to play with his usual dash, and even his service seemed to lack “sting.” i Against a player like Sturt he' should' not have attempted to slow the match and . let Sturt dictate his own time of play. Volleying Duel.

First exchanges in the doubles semifinal between Wilson and Smith and Charters (formerly of Whangarei) and Pattinson were in favour of Smith and Wilson, who were unperturbed by the clever retrieving of their opponents, both of whom were left-handed. Smith’s heavy overhand smashes kicked high, and Pattinson and his partner were kept on the run. Smith and Wilson drew steadily ahead, forfeiting one game only until they led s—l. Pattinson and Charters then took another game, and with Smith serving, rallied slightly, but Smith and Wilson came back to win the set, 6—2.

Spectacular volleying by both combinations excited the crowd, but the advantage belonged to Smith and Wil-