LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19511, 15 December 1926, Page 18

LAWN TENNIS.

DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS. TOURNAMENT AT AUCKLAND. COMMENTS ON THE PLAYERS. BY SIDE-LINE. The attention "of tennis enthusiasts is now turning toward the New Zealand championships to bo played at tine Stanley Street- courts commencing on December 27. Additional interest will bo lent bv the presence of the New South Walt's team, including Kalms, the Australian Davis Cup player. A well-known Australian ladv player m a letter to a iocai enthusiast, comments' as follows on the visiting players and their chances at the New Zealand meeting■ "Miss Jessie Watson is, coming over. J do not know whether you have met her but she plays a very solid game of tennis'and is playing with Miss Lloyd in the New Zealand championship. If "she strikes arr£ form, I really ihink she should be in the running for the singles. 1 was very disappointed that the proposal to send a ladies' team from hero did not materialise. Our strongest players are quite a new lot from the ones you know and have only one thought in their heads' and that is to compete in the Australasian tournament. Of course, there is always the possibility of a trip to England attached to doing well in our mam tournament. We have £BOO put aside in our funds for another women's team to be sent abroad. "Miss Louie Bickerion is one of our best now and just had a victory against Sylvia Harper in the recent inter-state match held in Victoria. Our team was ■ badly beaten. 9 rubbers to 3. through losing most of the doubles. Of course, we wero not full strength as Anne Martin (Gray) could not go owing to a bad tennis elbow, and Daphne Afchurst had a sprained ankle, so that our best players wore rather in the nature of 'crocks.' Kalms Weil in the Running. "You will find the New South Wales men's team very much stronger than tho last. Kalms is the star. He has plenty of style and is interesting to watch. Certainly I would like to put a 'bunger' near him to make him move more quickly when taking up his court position; but he is quiet and unassuming and a very good sport. He is decidedly in the running for tho New Zealand championship. Tho Peaches you know, of course. Norman is a great fighter. Ho has been in and out the last year, but is quite capable of rising to great heights and has a wonderful match temperament. "Dr. North you will all like. Ha was at one time considered a likely Davis Cup man, but ho did not let tennis interfere with his career. Hq has-no opportunities for practice here, but I am tipping that he will do well in New Zealand. McCausland is a good doubles player and should do well in New Zealand. Fitzgerald is noted for his excellently produced backhand, considered to be, by some of the critics, the best backhand In Australia." There can be little doubt that the New Zealand players will be hard pressed to | keep the title in tho country. Kalms will, on his past performances, certainly be tho favourite, although his success is by no means certain. New Zealand enthusiasts will pin their" hopes on Andrews, who performed so brilliantly when the New Zealand team visited New South Wales last season. On that occasion Andrews was beaten by Kalms in the final of tho New South Wales championships, 6—2, 6—l, 6—B, 6—4. It may well be. that under New Zealand, conditions and with an additional season's experience, Andrews will turn the tables. Tho attendance of OHivier, the holder of the New Zealand singles title, seems to be doubtful. In view of the strength of the visitors, his absence ss to bo regretted, as when in form he is [still probbably the strongest player in New Zealand. Other strong players xrom the South who may upset calculations are Seay, Smyth and the France brothers. Prominent AucMandera. Local enthusiasts will look to E. L. Bartleet, A. W. Sims and H. L. Bobson to uphold Auckland's reputation. Up to tho present no young players in Auckland appear likely to supplant them, although N. ' Sturt and L. G. Knott are rapidly improving. ' E. L. Bartleet heads the Auckland ladder, and no player in New Zealand has finer stroke production. Ho is always dangerous, and has many fine performances to his credit, but up to the present has not succeeded in winning either the New Zealand or the Auckland title. In 1923, partnered by H. L. Robson, he won the New Zealand championship doubles. He is, however, temperamental, and produces his best game only when conditions are ideal and there are no annoyances to upset his concentration. Given favourable conditions, the Remuera champion is a dangerous opponent for any player in New Zealand. He does not stand the.* strain of a long tournament too well, and this in the past has militated against his success. In A. W. Sims, Auckland has a great fighter who, if he can recover the form that wop the title for him in 1923, will go a long way. He has a fine forehand drive, with considerable overspin and a reliable backhand. Sims is ambidexterous. He uses his right hand for service and all overhead shots, arid his left for all ground strokes and volleys below the shoulder. H. L. Bobson-has met with more success in doubles, and combined doubles than in singles." This is possibly on account of his preference for the chop shot when pressed, although he can, and does, drive splendidly on occasions. His court- position is not good, and to a player endowed with less brilliant shots would be absolutely fatal.' As it is, Robson makes many marvellomi and unplayable shots from all kinds of positions. The Standard of Doubles. At the time o'f writing the doubles pairs are not definitely known. Seay and Andrews will play together, and they should prove a strong combination. It is in the doubles game that the Australian players excel, and Kalms and whoever pairs with him will probably annex the title. Peacock and Wilson will probably defend their title, but they will have to bo at their best to hold off the visitors. The members of tho last New Zealand team that visited New South Wale 3 performed splendidly in singles, but showed themselves lamentably weak in doubles when compared with the Australian players. The ladies' singles championship should provide some stirring matches, and A ticklanders will look forward to treeing Miss Spiers, the present holder, in action. She dominated the last New Zealand meeting, winning all three events, and playing splendid tennis, and it is quite likely, if she can reproduce that form, that she will win again. The visiting lady players should be well in the running, and Mrs. Melody, tho 1924 champion, will again enter the lists. A notable absentee this year will be Miss Marjorio Maefarlahe, who lias always figured prominently in past championships. In the ladies' doubles, it is l uncertain what pairs will compete, but .Mrs. Melody and Miss Spiers appear to be New Zealand's strongest pair, Mss Lloyd and Miss Watson, the visiting lady players, should also do well. The combined doubles event will bo very open. Last year's winners, D. G. France and Miss 'Spiers, should again do well. Tho New South Wales players will, however, be taking part, and it is quite likely that one of the combinations thus formed will upset calculations. Following the New Zealand championships is the Auckland meeting, and it is hoped that the majority oi ! the Southern players will compete in this tournament. Entries for the New Zealand tournament will close to-day.