TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9394, 28 December 1893, Page 3

TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS.

HOOPER DEFEATS J. M. MARSHALL.

EASY WIN FOR MISS SPIERS. a VICTORIES FOR~~FENWICKE, KOCH, n AND BADDELEY. »' _______.——» **' THE FIRST DAV. n The annual tournamenb under the auspices of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Associa- _ tion, was opeued on Tuesday morning upon v the lawns of the Eden and Epsom Tennis t Club at Mount Eden. The gathering was t a large and fashionable one, the attendance (, during the afternoon being especially nume- 8 rous. The committee had made every pos- jsible arrangement for the convenience and j comfort of the visitors, and their efforts in t this direction were ve«w highly appreciated. r The raised platform "stretching the full a length of the ground, and sheltered by the e trees, was very well patronised during the _ progress of the matches, as were also the f seats placed in convenient positions j around the courts. The officials, Messrs. r R. Blair, A. J. Denniston, B. J. r Eeam,. H. T. Maclean, J. Baton, J. P. g Stevenson,- J. R. Sykes, T. F. UpfUl, and T. W. Grimshaw, all did their work well, and the management reflected the greatest , credit upon them. Mr. R. Udy very £ courteously placed his commodious grounds j ab the disposal of those visitors who bad horses arid traps to pub up, and this | 'thoughtful kindness was generally taken advantage of and highly appreciated. In j the morning, the weather was threatening, ( and some rain fell, which made the ground ( greasy, to the great disadvantage of the j earlier matches; but, in the afternoon, all j signs of rain passed away, and with it the j feeling of uneasiness as to the success of; , the day's play. Everything became bright ] and cheerful, and as the display of tennis, , from a scientific point of view improved, ( the interest increased proportionately. The courts were in excellent condition, playing splendidly, and the contestants, both' ; the local men and those from the South,. , expressed themselves as .highly satisfied \ with them. The great match of the day was ! that between J. R. Hooper (the champion of , Auckland) and J. M. Marshall (the ex- ', champion of New Zealand), Hooper winning after a severe struggle, contrary to general expectation. In this match the umpiring did not, in one or two instances, give entire satisfaction, but the points in dispute were nob such a? could, in all probability, have altered the final result. lb must, however, be remembered that the position of umpire is a very difficult one. The contest in which M. Fenwicke, the present champion, figured in opposition to J. Harold, of Wanganui, naturally attracted considerable attention ; bub Fenwicke secured a rather easy victory. Baddeley's brilliant and clever play came as a surprise to most people. His victory over a man of the calibre of F. Logan, of Napier, in the championship singles, and over Uplill in the handicaps, was rather an eye-opener. Tho victories of K. Gore (Wellington) over J. B. Macfarlane (Eden and Epsom), and of R. O. Koch (Wellington) over J. Paterson (West End), were nob of unusual interest. CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. The great feature of the tournament naturally centred around the Men's Championship Singles, the first and second round of which were played off. These matches were the lesult of the best of five sets (advantage sets), the first prize being of the value of £10 10s; the winner to hold the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association's Challenge Cup, valued ab 25 guineas (at present held by M. Fenwicke). If Avon by the same player three times consecutively it becomes his property, and the winner of this event will hold the championship of New Zealand for the year. The details of the matches played on Tuesday are as follow :— J. M. marshal:- v. .1. R. hooper. This event commenced at three o'clock under the most favourable conditions as far as the weather and tho ground were concerned. J. R. Hooper was the first to serve and scored against Marshall, who is 1 the Christchurch representative, off the first stroke. Hooper kept the lead till the end of the game, his opponent only winning one stroke. In the next game Marshall made several faults, and appeared to serve rather wildly, which gave Hooper, who was playing steadily and surely, a second game, and that a love one. Tho Christchurch man now appeared to warm to his work, and got off with a gooJ lead in the following game; but Hooper pulled up rapidly, and deuce was called more than once, Marshall eventually securing the win. His brilliant smashes and swift serves also secured for him the next, making the score two games all. The nexL game was full of interest, and was remarkable for fine play on both side?. With the game at douce "the Auckland man failed in hit. serve, and an unplayable return by Marshall secured for him the game. Now for the firs* time the lead went to Christchurch, but Hooper's brilliantly steady play again placed the two on even terms. Again Marshall shot to the front; but Hooper, winning two games in succession with a splendid spurt, once more wrested the- ad- ! vantage from him amid the loud applause of the intensely interested spectators. The oxcibemenu increased when Marshall challenged his opponent for the premier position o.i.i-j agyin, and succeeded in getting abreast id :iim, the game standing 5 all. which UTide an advantage set necessary. Tho Auckiander'a cool and precise play told upon his opponent, and he won the next two games and tho set, 7—5, amid very hearty cheering. Thus ended the first and ! specimen set of a match that was fought inch by inch until the very end. Marshall commenced the second set well, his strong 1 smashes and serves winning for him the 1 first two games. Hooper, however, responded gamely, his neb play telling heavily on his antagonist, though nearly all the rallies woro of unusual length. Marshall ; only won one more game, Hooper annexing ; the set : B—3. The excitement now ran '• very high, for another set to Hooper would 1 give him the match ; bub Marshall determined that such a termination must not bo. They each won a game for a commencement, and then the Southerner beat his '' opponent almost right through the set, 1 which he won 6—2, the scoring being theleast of any set in the match. The next set ' proved as groat a struggle as the first, each playing all he knew and having resorb to 1 every expedient. Almost every stroke was applauded, and the score mounted up 1 evenly and slowly until 5 all was called, meaning another advantage set. Marshall then made a great effort and equalised . matters by securing the set : 7— i 5, just as Hooper had done the first. As the next set was to decide ! the match the excitement grew apace, and ' each player strained every nerve. None , could fail to admire the brilliant vigour of ; Marshall's handling of bhe racqueb, bub ' Hooper's steady persistence bore down all s opposition. He won the set: 6—4, and 1 with it the match amid loud and continued '. cheering*. To show how keen and even was ' the contest ib is only necessary to add up the games won by each—Hooper '26 and Marshall 25—which shows that the victor ' only secured one game, out of thesl played, i more than the vanquished. The full scores ; were : 7—5, 6—3, 5—7, 6—4. The features ' of Hooper's play were his steady returns, his clever placing, his fine "net play, and his . driving. Whenever the opportunity • offered he got in some splendid drives, and ; generally he played like a book. Nothing could be betber than his back play and his ■- judicious placing on Fenwicko's left was ' responsible for many a score. lb was quite apparent ab various times throughout ) the match that Marshall was not at his a best, and certainly he did nob play up to his ' reputation. Indeed his friends say they have never seem him play worse. Although ■ his serving wis vigorous, and though every l now and then he gave a wonderfully fine display of tennis, as if to show of what he - was really capable, yet on the whole his • play was careless, making several double faults, and for some unaccountable reasons ' he seemed to throw away some of his best i opportunities. Hooper's victory is neverl theless a highly creditable performance, and his victory is one of which he may be justly proud. FENWICKE V. HAROLD.

Fenwicke won the boss and chose the service. Harold annexed the first score by a swift and really brilliant return ; bub the next two serves he drove into the neb, and his two following receives he senb out. Fenwicke thus won the first game of the match rather easily. Harold then took the service, and by a series of neatly placed returns won the game, making the score one all. In the third game Fenwicke's serve was very sovcre, proving too much for

Harold, and resulting in a love game: whilst his good placing and cutting low over the neb with a slight screw won him the next game. It was now Fenwicke's turn to serve, and Harold did better against it and shone out well. This game was very hotly contested and protracted, some very nice rallies taking place, in which Harold got in some hard, well placed smashes; but the game eventually fell to Fenwicke. The next two games were also secured by the champion, who was playing a very steady game, and he thus won the first set: 6—l. The first three games of the second set were uninteresting, Fenwicke winning them all with little trouble. The next three games were also won by him, bub they ware hotly contested. Drives and smashes were freely made and returned by both sides, but the champion's superior placing told heavily in his favour. In the third set a number of very interesting rallies took place. Fenwicke, however, again proved too much for Harold, and eventually won the Bet and the match, the scores being : 6-1,6-0, 6-3. The great features of Fenwicke's play were his welljudged placing, and his low cuts, just skimming the net., Harold did not play with his reputed judgment, and lost a great many strokes through want of precision.

. • • BADDELEY V. LOGAN. For some time past F. C. Baddeley has been looked upon as an unknown quantity as far a3 this tournament was concerned. Brother of an ex-champion of England, great things were expected of him, but no one seemed to be in a position to give positive information as to his ability as a tennis player. However, the general opinion was that F. Logan, the brilliant Cfiristchurch player, would prove too much for him. This prediction, however, was falsified by the result. The onlookers began to open their eyes when Baddeley won the first set, 6—2, and followed this up by; carrying off the second, 6—l. Logan then made a great effort, bub waR again beaten in the third set, 6—4. Perhaps Baddeley is the most tricky player in the whole cluster, and is wonderfully well up in all the dodgy resources of tennis. Besides this, he is always cool and collected, and his placing is indeed a treat to all bub his opponent. Baddeley was frequently applauded for his clever strokes; and there can be no doubt that Logan was badly beaten in nearly every department of the game. There are those that hint that Baddeley will nob only win the Handicap Singles, but will also go very near appropriating the cup. He has a peculiar backhand srroke, which keeps the ball very low. KOCH V. I'ATERSOX. The contest between R. O. Koch and J. Paterson was not of exceptional interest, | although some fine play was at times in- I dulged in. The first set was a very hotly- j contested one, and proved a protracted j advantage set. The West End representa- j tive pressed his opponent very hardly ; bub ' the smashes and the extensive reach of Koch eventually told their tale, and he won the set: S—6. This gave promise of a great tussle for the mastery,, bub this anticipajj tion was not realised. In the next set Paterson practically collapsed, and Koch won : o—l. Paterson did a little better in set No. 3, though this also fell to the lot of his opponent, who thus won the match : B—6, G—l, 6—2. In fact, every match in the first round of the Championship Singles was decided in three games. P. MARSHALL V. PEEL. The Christchurch representative, P. Marshall, disposed of A. Peel (Eden and Epsom) rather easily, though the scores 6—3, 6—l, 6—l make Peel's inferiority to appear to be greater than was actually the case. There were several splendid rallies, and nearly every game was well contested, though Peel's vigorous drives and fine cutting propensity told too severely upon his opponent. GORE V. MACFARLANE. The match between R. Gore (Wellington) and J. B. Macfarlane (Eden and Epsom) attracted some attention. In the first set Macfarlane did not seem to be at home, Gore winning : 6—o. The second and third sets were weß contested, though the wet balls told against the local man. However, Gore's smashes and drives proved too much for his opponent, and he eventually won the match : 6—o, 6—3. 6—3. Macfarlane's serves were at. times sent in with telling effect. HAMPIOKSHIP DOUBLES. This was for the be3t of five sets, with advantage sets; prizes £5 os each. The only match in this class played off was that of Gore and Koch, against Upfill and Stevenson. The former pair won this rather easily, the long reach and good net play of Koch, and the tremendous smashes and fast returns of Gore proving too much for their opponents. Gore's smashes were certainly the strongest, and perhaps the most effectual seen on the lawn. The scores were : 6—l. 6—2, 6—l. Upfill and Stevenson only won four games out of 22 played. LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES.

In this class Miss Trimnell from the South hay been scratched, and the only match played off was that between Miss Spiers (Eden and Epsom) and Miss Mowbray (Parnell.) Miss Spiers had the advantage all through, though her opponent ab times rallied pluckily, and made Miss Spiers play all she knew. The scores were : 6—3, 6—4. These matches are decided by the best, of three sets, with advantage sets in the last round. Prize valued at £4 4s, the winner to hold the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association Ladies' Challenge Cup, valued at £10 10s, for the year. The Cup, if won three times consecutively, becomes the property of the winner. The present holder, Miss l-tees, a Southerner, has not come up to defend her position, and the victory seems to lie between Miss Spiers and Miss Nicholson, many people preferring the chances of the latter. MEWS HANDICAP SINGLES. These contests are decided by the best of three sets, with advantage sets. First prize, £4 4s ; second prize, £1 Is. Six matches were played off on Tuesday. The system of handicapping is rather complicated for the general public to understand, butthefollowingexplanation will give a more intelligent idea of the play : —ln the case of received odds one-quarter of fifteen is one stroke given ab the beginning of the second and every subsequent fourth game of a set; two-quarters of fifteen is one stroke given at the beginning of the second and every subsequent alternate game of a set; three-quarters of fifteen is one stroke given at the beginning of the second, third, fourth, and the three last of every subsequent four games of a set. One, two, or three-quarters of fifteen may bo given in augmentation of other odds; fifteen is one stroke given at the beginning of every game of a set; thirty is two strokes given at the beginning of every game of a set; forty is three strokes given at the beginning of every game of a set. In the case of owed odds, one-quarter of fifteen is one stroke owed at the beginning of the first, and every subsequent fourth : game of a set; two-quarters of fifteen is one stroke owed at the beginning of the first, andevery subsequent albernategameof a set; three-quarters of fifteen is one stroke owed ab the beginning of the first, third, and fourth of the firsb four, and every subsequent four games of a set; fifteen is one strike owed at the beginning of every game of a set; thirty is two strokes owed at the beginning of every game of a neb; forty is three strokes owed at the beginning of every game of a set. " FATEKSON V. V. MARSHALL. In this event the representative of the West End, Paterson (scratch), proved too much for P. Marshall (owe 30), although he commenced rathor poorly, and lost the firsb game. The next game was a very toughlycontesbed one. Marshall played up well, bub he was too heavily handicapped. In the third game Paterson won with several games in hand. The scores were : 4—6, 6-4, 6—l. BADDKLEY V. UPFILL. Both of the contestants started from scratch, butßaddeley was boomuchforUpfill, his cool cunning and neat placing quite nonplussing his opponent. Upfill, however, played well, and made many fine strokes. The scores were : 6—2, 6—3. COLBECK V. G OLDIE. The match between W. B. Colbeck (| 15), and A. Goldie (J 15), was not a brilliant display of tennis. Colbeck won : 2—6, 7—5, 6-3. MACLEAN V. MACFARLANE. A rather interesting set-to was that between H.T. Maclean'(J 15) and J. B. Macfarlane (scratch), both of the Eden and Epsom Club. Macfarlane played up well bub could nob overtake the handicap, Maclean playing carefully and effectually. The scores were, 6—3, 6—4. SVKES V. HAROLD. J. Sykes (Eden and Epsom) and J. Harold (Wanganui) mob on even terms, both being

at scratch. The visitor proved altogether too strong for his opponent, and won, b— £, 6—l. MCINTOSH V. COOKE. A well-fought fight resulted from the meeting of W. N. Mcintosh and A. G. Cooke, the West End secretary. Roth received 15, and were therefore on equa terms. , Mcintosh won the first set, 6— 3, but in the second Cooke pushed him very closely, the set being a protracted one. Eventually Mcintosh won. The scores were, 6—3, 75. MEN'S HANDICAP DOUBLES. These matches are decided by the best of three sets, with advantago sets, the prizes being valued at £2 2s each. The only game played was that between Paton and Mcintosh (receive 15) and Stevenson and Upfill (owe i 15). The former pair lei off with the first set, bub the second was far more close. They started off with a game each, and after some fine rallies the games stood four all. . Then Upfill and Stevenson assumed command, and kept it till tho end, winning the set 6—4. Mcintosh and his mate gob the first game of the deciding set, and mainly owing to Several double faults by Stevenson, got the next also. The next four games were evenly divided, and the score was tailed : 4—2. Mcintosh wins. The nexfe game went to Upfill and Stevenson, but that was their last win, for their opponents forged ahead and won : 6—2, 4 —6, 6—

LADIES' HANDICAP DOUBLES. This was for the best of three sets, advantage sets in the last round ; prizes valued at £1 Is each. Miss Laishley and Miss Trimnell (receive 2-4 15) met and defeated Miss Mowbray and Miss Spiers (scratch). The scoring was: 3—6, 6—4, 6 — The match was a very close one, some fine rallies being witnessed. Miss Laishley was certainly the youngest player in. the tournament, and the way in which she acquitted herself was the subject of very favourable comment.