LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15237, 26 February 1913, Page 10

LAWN TENNIS.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

It seems practically certain that, neither Brookes, Dunlop, nor Heath will be available to make the trip to England this year for the purpose of making an attempt to bring back tiro Davis Cup. According to the Referee, it is improbable that tho Australasian Association will incur the heavy expense of sending any players unices Brookes is available. The receipts from gate-money in England at Davis Cup contests havo in tho past been very small, and it is not likely that the Australasian body will face a certain loss, unless the players sent to the contests have at least, a reasonable chaaco of 'lacing successful. There seems to be a reasonable probability ;of Australasia's representatives being Wilding and Doust, who are both in England at the present time. With Brookes not available, it is doubtful if Australasia can produe*.' a stronger pair, and the- form shown by Doust in recent tournaments lias been such as to place him well ahead of any other player that could be sent from Australasia.; that is, of course, leaving Brookes out of ' the question. In his best, form Wilding would have a good chance of winning 'both his singles, and Doust has for some time beeh considered one of the foremost double players in England. Early in January the Selection ■ Committee vreta Homo to their official represent tfttivo in England, and a*ked him to ascertain what Australasians in England would be available if selected.

In the preliminary rounds America and Franco will be the two strongest countries Australasia will have -to face. The former rountry will possibly bo represented by McLoughlin and Wiilisms in tho singles, with tho addition of T. C. Bundy in the. doubles. The representatives of Franco will probably bo Decugis and Laurentz. Gobert has entered on his term of military service, and will not he available, but Gemot may bo called on to assist in tho doubles. All these players are such fine exponents of tho game that no team com posed of players not absolutely in the first i ; .ii;!;t can hone to succeed. A match was played last month between the lawn Tennis Club do Franco and tho Covered Courts Club, of London. Tho result was a victory for tho French team by 1?. matches to 9. Doust represented the English club, and the form shown by him was very encouraging in view of his likely selection for the Davis Cup contests. The results of She matches were as follows: — Men's singles: Doust beat Gemot, 6—43, 7—5, 6—4: Laurent?, beat Watt, 6—4, 6—l; McNair boat Chello, 6—o, 6-4; Count Saint .walked over; Watt scratched; Laurentz beat McNair, 6—3, 6—l. Men's doubles: Laurentz and Gerniot beat McNair and Watt, 6—o, 15—13, 6—3; Doust and Prebbie beat Cour.t. Salm and Nicard, 6—4. 63, 6—l; Lturentz and Germot beat Doust and Prebbie, 6 — 3—6. 6—l, 4—6, —3; Count Salm and Nicard beat McNair and Watt, ' 3—6, 6—l, 6—4, 6—4.

Ladies' doubles: Mrs. McNair and Miss Boothby beat Mile. Broqucdis and Mme. Plaae, 3—6, 6—4, 6—2: Mrs. McNair and Miss Boothbv beat Mile. Broquedis and Mile. Speranza, 6—4, 6—4.

Mixed doubles: Mile. B'roqucdia and L-aurentz beat Miss Bocthby and Pro'bblo, 6—3, 6—4, 6—o; ' Sirs. Armstrong and Doust beat Mine. Phiz© and Count Sn!m, —2, 65; Mile. Broquedis and Laurentz beat McNair and Mrs. McNair, 6—4, 4—6, 9—7; Mrs. Armstrong and Boiist beat Mile. Sporanza, and Germofc, 3—6, 54. 6—: Mine. Plaze and Count Salm boat Miss Booihby and Prehhlo, 9—7, 2—6, 6—5; Ml!?. Speranza and Germqr beat. McNair and Mrs. McNairj 7-5, 6—3.

When Parke reached Perth on his way home ho was asked hip opinion of Brookes by an interviewer. This was a week after Burke had sustained his second defeat by Brookes. He had had some days on the ocean to think over the tour, which was then drawing to a close, and to carefully weigh his opinions, and this is what ho said: "I hate exaggeration, but Brookes is marvellous. Ho is in a class by himself; he is. beyond criticism; ho is the headmaster, ■ and there is only one of him.'" "Well, how doRS it feel to b?at him?" he was asked. Parke replied: "The overwhelming surprise of it stifles all other sensations, and robs one of more than half the exhilaration which rightly should attach to so rare an occurrence. Beyond that. I know really very little about how it feels, but Brookes himself I know, and I ho is marvellous."

"Huka," of the Post, says:—" Last Saturday R. X. K. Swanston, the New Zealand champion, by beating J. C. Peacock, 6—l, 6—3-, 6 — in the final of tho Thorndon single:., championship, secured that event for the fifth time. Last year F. M. B. Fisher was the winner, but he defaulted to Swanston in this year's event. The match was mostly a, base-lino one. Now find again. Peacock went in, but; his condition would not allow him to rush the net right through. Swanston, who lias kept in fairly good condition since. January's tennis, had the advantage on that alone, and won with accurate jrreuad shots. In # the first set Swanston tail '2. love,' then Peacock took a love game, but Swanston ran out, with four games in isuoaoaaion. Set 6—l, 28 aces to 16. Two deuce games were played. The second set van to " 2 all," then , Peacock led 3—2, but again Swanston captured four games, in successian, and set 6—3, 29 aces to 20. There were no deuce games in this Pet. The third set produced a better fight, the first five games all being deuce one*. Swanston led ' 2 love,' and then Peacock evened. Strange to say, each won en the other's service up to '4- all.' At this stage Peacock had scored 31 aces to 30, hut with the ninth game Swanston captured Peacock's service, and won game (15), and also scored game, set, and match, at the same score off his own service. Set 6—4, aces 33 to 33. Swanston's five wins is a record for the men's championship singles— -on© which he can bo proud of."