CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19219, 7 January 1926, Page 12

CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS.

THE TARANAKI TOURNAMENT.

AUCKLANDERS DOING WELL.

SOME KEEN PLAY WITNESSED

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH. Wednesday.

With two days' play completed, the championship events in the Taranaki Lawn Tennis Association's annual tournament have assumed an interesting aspect. The weather has so far been gloriously fine. The greatest interest centred on the men's singles, in which splendid tennis was witnessed. Three of the semifinalists have been found. To-morrow Bartleet (Auckland) plays Haege (Victoria) and Lampo (Wanganui) plays the winner of the match between Smyth (Wellington) and Robson (Auckland). Bartleet worked his way to the semifinals with comparative ease, although in the fourth round to-day Toura (Wellington) nearly took a set from him, Bartleet winning B—6, 6—2. Bartleet, however, never seemed seriously extended. Although he double-faulted occasionally, he put in some hot services, which left his opponent standing. Ho has a hard task to-morrow against Haege. Haege and Brinsden (Auckland) had a great tussle to-day, Haege winning 6—3, B—6. Brinsden had previously had a hard match, beating Webster, the leading Taranaki player, 7—5, 6 —B, 6—2.

The chief surprise to-day was the downfall of Griffiths (Auckland), whom Lampe (Wanganui) defeated, 6—2, 6—4. Griffiths was off his game, while Lampe went for everything. In the second set Griffiths made a great effort, squaring the score 4 all, after a grim, uphill fight, but he could get no further. Clarke (Auckland) was beaten by Smyth in the third round. Clarke's electric, shoulder-high service had Smyth puzzled at the start, and tho Aucklander won the first three games. The pair provided a vigorous display of base-line driving. Smyth won fairly easily, 6—3, 6—l.

Robson is still in. Ha beat Hubble., 6—4, 7 —5, in the second round and Shaw, a young New Plymouth player, 6—2, 6 —l, in the third. He will have to be all out to beat Smyth to-morrow. In the men's championship doubles Griffiths and Brinsden are going well. The most exciting contest in this section to-day was provided by two Auckland pairs, Hubble and Entwhistle unexpectedly beating Clarke and Robson, o—6, 6—4, 7-5. The ladies' singles semi-finalists were found to-day. Tb-morrow Miss Lloyd (New South Wales) meets Miss Ramsay (Auckland) and Miss Rundle (New Plymouth) meets Miss McPherson (Taumarunui). All four competitors had straight-out wins to-day.

The ladies' doubles and the combined doubles are not so well advanced.' Miss Ramsay and Mrs. Robson are. still in the former event.

All the finals will be played on Friday,