LAWN TENNIS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13514, 12 August 1907, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS NOTES.

BROOKES AND WILDING. [from our own correspondent.] London, June 28. When the mail left last Friday the lawn tennis world was taking great interest in the semi-finals of the London championship meeting in progress at Queen's Club, West Kons'ngton. In the gentlemen's open singles (London championship), A. F. Wilding had as his opponent C. von Wessely, of whom he disposed with the scores of 6—o, —2, 64, and thus was entitled to meet the holder, M. J. G. Ritchie. This interesting event came off on Saturday, when, as has been remarked, " the dash and versatility of tie New Zealand champion proved too much for his opponent," and the scores in favoui of Wilding read 6—2, 6—l. 6— —18 games to three. One who was present writes: "Thirty-five minutes' play i sufficed for Wilding to dispossess Ritchie of * the gentlemen's championship. The Now Zealander played a great game. His service was frequently unreturnable, his driving was marked by paco and accuracy, while l.e made a number of clever strokes at the net. Ritchie won the first and third games in the first set, and the first game in the second sot, Wilding then winning 12 games off the reel, and securing the love rubber with scores of —2, —1, 6—0." Partnered by Norman E. Brookes (Australia), A. I''. Wilding came out first in the gentlemen's doubles as well. In the semifinal round these players from tlio colonies disposed of K. J. Ingram and G. 13. Vernon at 6—l, 6—o, and in the final round they were successful against .Messrs. R. F. Doherty and \V. V. Eaves (6 —3, 6— 6— In the mixed doubles, too, R. F. Dohcrty and his partner (Miss Eastlake Smith) wero defeated by Norman E. Brookes and Mrs. Chambers, the Australian player serving with deadly effect. Wilding did not enter for this event. Throughout the current week the lawn tennis championship meeting at Wimbledon has been in progress. One of the events was a contest between Now Zealand's representative, A. F. Wilding, and the American player, Reals. Wright, in the first round lof the gentlemen's singles (holder 11. L. Doherty). The game resulted in favour of Wilding, who was at the top of his form, the scores being: —2, —6, 7— Of this particular contest the Mail critic says: " Wilding has done few greater things in his strenuous career than his defeat of Beals Wright in three straight sets. Infinite courage, marvellous pertinacity, and sound generalship were all blended in his game. When the American ex-champion wanted but a few points to win a set, the New Zealander never faltered in his attack, ! and was the fresher of the two at the finish. i Wright showed the master hand, but I it was a hand that lacked the essential i accuracy. His short cross-court volleys, for which his country's experts are ju>tly famous, were gems in their way, but they are not enough by themselves to win a long match. His tossing was judicious, but Wildinor has improved overhead, and the lobbing was often carried to excess. The New Zealander made some lovely drives in the corners." Mr. Alfred Gibson, who describes Mr. Wilding as an "Australian," says of the , same contest: "The great event of the day I was, of course, the meeting of A. F. Wilding and Reals C. Wright. Experts have long had their eye on hiin (Wilding) as a coming champion. Reals C. Wright is probably the ; J best player America has produced. It seem- , I ed a pity that two such noted players should meet in the first round of the tournament. | In point of skill the men wero almost 1 equally matched, but Wilding, as the ' stronger and younger man, was a shade the more active and aggressive. Both men were ■ in perfect condition, and rom first to last neither flinched from a contest that was al- , most painful in its intensity. Wilding was as lithe as a young panther; the whole man ! was expressive of life and power. The nerve force both players expended was only equal- ■ led by their physical energy. Beals Wright is a powerfullv-mado, left-handed player, ; who knows every move in the game and how i to circumvent it. Wilding has as much knowledge, and an even greater power of | expressing it. The service of each was ter- ; rific. The men were too well matched to [ take the slightest liberty. Rarely, indeed, did Wright leave the base line, and when . he did he was as often foiled as not. Wilding frequently followed up his services; and | his volleying was as accurate as it was • powerful. Neither man introduced anything , new in the way of strokes or tactics, but [ each was a past master in every department • of the modern game." . The match between Norman Brookes and > A. F. Wilding was the great attraction at 1 Wimbledon on Wednesday, these two fine . players meeting in the second round of the i contcst. Brookes won, but not until all five sets had been played, while the exposition of the game was of the highest standard. The pace was fast from beginning to end. but Brookes had the better of the numerous rests at the net. while Wilding often found some difficulty in returning his opponent's service. Wilding made some excellent drives down the sides and across the court, and until the wind rose toward the end of i the match he lobbed with some success. In , the last set with a score of 3—2 against him i Wilding lost his service, and with it his chance of game, set, match, and championi ship. In the next game he came within a I stroke of taking bis opponent's and recovering, but Brookes was very steady and took the set and match at 6—3. Ihe scores were: 4—5, 6 —2, 6—3, —6, o —3- All the critics are unanimous in their complimentary remarks regarding both players, whose contest was the chief attraction of the day. The match was a grand one—a real championship tussle. The serving of both men i was magnificent.