LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18456, 20 July 1923, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Further - Davis Cup matches have been. 1 played during the week. Spain, easily defeated Holland, while France accounted for l Switzerland, alter a close contest, requiring the iiul .live matches, to decide the match. When play started on the third day France required to win the laut two eingles, Switzerland having won the doubles and ono of the singles. This was accomplished, but it proves that the victor's chances against Spain to-morrow must be discounted somewhat, and probably the latter nation will start favourites. - The Spanish team is a strong one, despite >ihe absence hi, the Alonzo brothers, who have started in business in America, and have further strengthened the play in that country.. It is time the matches in the American zone wera commenced.. Australia is to meet Hawaii next Friday. Saturday, and Sunday. July 29. Anderson and Hawkes will probably represent the former, while the Bawaiians will pick- from" Ackland. ■Detry, Cook, and Richards, ; new men m the world's tennis. _ It is satisfactory to hear that Anderson is showing good form, and that he beat Hawkes -in three seta straight, for he is the string on which Australia must rely when. Tilden . and John* ston are "; encountered. A new idea is mooted- in regard to the Davis .Clip comr»titin. which,, should be o? interest to New Zeftlanders. It is that qualifvimd' should be played 'by the small countries preparatory to their entering the competition proper. This year 17 ' tennis are entered, . and the contest has been j divided into two; zones. It is pointed out i that many of the teams have little hope of success,, while the : stronger teams are ■ called upon it* play .; a wearisome number v of matches.... The 'new su««»esticn is' to confine .the number of . elTvllfmsers > to eight, six nf whom shall be eliminated from the Qualifying rounds, all remaining challengers - tr> be divided into two zones, ' and■■: ■ul»-v ; --i off. ...The winners of, each . zone "should occupy the two . remaining places, in the competition proper. Thft.«oni»jnf!! would procues bettor contests tmoag the top»notoher», ,

«nd a3s» provide! .interesting. : cwnpetitions ; for weaker teams, -who could nee the : auan-. fying rounds:' as a otepping-stone to greater; things, % asaiX -probably.by, mean*;:■! at ,«at° j money V accumulate u sufficient, ; to pwvicie: travelling expenses when their' team ™°*i to fame, This would be an - excellent scheme -'~s o far as New < .Zealand is j^cEa- : corned, and we may yet see another in,™ Cup match in the -Dominion, provided tne suggestion is given support. / ~

* THE OTAHUHU CLUB. The " annual meeting of Otahnhu ; Tennis Club was held this -week. Mr. if-- J- ? Hall presiding. The annual report Bbatec•that -the past season had been ,' ver J. u^j . ceaafial. the club bavins: a membership 01 102. The ebb has in hand « proposal to ■extend its grounds »nd to Jay, out two new, •courts, but -the proposal is deferred until - it is found what financial support re iomcoming. The scheme wall rive the clnto eight good sand courts. The following were, •the winners of the club competitions. Ladies' singles championship, Miss u. JVcod: ladies' doubles championship. Misses ; G. and E. Wood; men's Roubles, Messrs. Muir and - Simpson; l<w_».6S, hand-, ««© doubles, -Mrs. Biesa and Miss Waite 'Three competitions were not nnrenea. J.ne •balance sheet Browed a credit .w/l&nc® ox £52. The following- officers wore elect eel:— President, Mr. H. J. Hall: Tic^-pr^i dent Mr. H. Short: secretary, B. L. . Brown,. treasurer, Mr. vT. L, Clark: 4ag«g^£;. • ,T. K - F<01; committee— Wi-oea. F. Whiielfv, C. Wallace, and M. . Moffitt. Messrs. O. Montgomery, J. Muir, and C. Brown :, hon. •vice-TTpnidetitsMessrs. 'A. . Murdoch, a. ■ Trenwith. K. .B. .Todd; .T,-. Howard. »». .Boss and Rowley-