LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12546, 13 April 1904, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

The following reference to the New Zealand crack (11. A. Parker) by the /Australian writer " Donee" will bo rend with interest on this side:--" The feature, of the South Australian meeting was the success achieved by thn New Zealand champion, 11. A. Parker, who [voted tor the first time tit. interstate i/Hirnamcnts outside Ills own colony, whore he hiss been invincible foi some years. He won tho singles chiiuinionship event without the loss of a set, defeating in turn Nolteniiis, of Adelaide; the two Victorians, Saxon and Heath; arid the South Australian, Harbison. Tire deciding match witnessed a fine re cover by the New Zealander in the first set, when Harbison had five games to love 011 the slate. The South Australian alsc wop three games right off the reel in the second set., but Parker evened up the score by s-kiltul placing, and gained tlie mastery at 7—5. There was nothing in the third set but the supremo excellency of Parker, who had his opponent played to a standstill, and too distressed by the strain of the previous 26 garnet to stave off defeat. Parker, who is undei medium height, and built on small but compact lines, has to wear glasses to assist his sight. His style does not recommend itself to the ox pert, but his methods are most disconcerting on a slow grass court. Ho hits the hull on the top of the bound, and, with a wonderful wristy turn of the racket, just as the stroke is being made, gives it a big forward spin, which causes it to curve downwards 111 : ts flight. He smashes with an overarm swing, which brings the racketacross in front of his face and causes the ball to glance-oft the turf at an unexpected pace. He strikes the ball low when serving—very little higher thai l head—with a downward movement rar* among' Australian players. The service is only medium pace, and travels alow ovei the net, but owvea from receivers for>j to backhand."