REVIEW OF MATCHES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19524, 31 December 1926, Page 14

REVIEW OF MATCHES.

MEN'S SINGLES CONTESTS. ANDREWS HAS CLOSE CALL. BARTLEET DEFEATS SIMS. There Teas no falling away in the standard of play revealed by yesterday's encounters. So evenly matched were the players that many contests wont to four and five sets, with the issue in doubt until the last shot had been played. Chief interest centred in the four matches which gave the right'"to a place in the semi-finals of the men's singles championship. . The men's and ladies' doubles also produced exciting and spectacular straggles for supremacy. * Andrews and' Wilson fought out a splendid match, in which the latler's physical resources'gave out when lie had victory almost within his grasp. In the first set Andrews' drives had more pace and better length, than Wilson's, and the latter, in trying to go to the net, made many errors. In the second set Wilson played with more confidence and by clever volleying established a lead of s—l. Andrews took the seventh game, but Wilson, who appeared the fresher of the two at that stage, won the eighth for the set. In the third set Wilson continued to hold the upperhand, and won the set at 6—l. Both Andrews and Wilson were playing well. The hitting was crisp and hard, the rallies were long, and the strategy and tactics of both men were excellent. In the vital fourth set the games went to 7 all. Wilson was actually within two strokes of victory. Andrews broke through Wilson's service in the next game, after trailing at 30 —40. This was the turning point of the match, and from then on he was never in danger. Clear-cut Win for Haege, Haege won in straight sets from McCausland. The Victorian played well, mixing steadiness with aggression. When he went to the net lie hit hard and freely, and his all-round game triumphed over McCauslarid, who for the greater part of the match played from the base line. The score of 6—3, 6—4, 6—l, about indicates the trend of the game. Bartleet and Sims had a match of varying fortunes, the former winning. The Remuera champion played a nicely controlled game, cutting down his errors to a minimum. Sims made a good recovery in the first set, when he picked up from I—4 to take the set at 6—4. Bartleet, however, was not to be denied and took the next two to the .loss of only three games. He dropped the fourth, ' but finished strongly in tho deciding set, Sims appearing to feel the effects of tlio long and frequent rallies. Dr. A. L. North had a fairly easy win over the Taranaki veteran, A, G. Wallace. The latter has shown fine form in reaching the last eight. The New South Wales player had the advantage of years and mobility, and ho held the upper hand throughout. Wallace appeared tired after his exertions of the previous day. Doubles Champions Beaten.

,In a long and -well-contested match Peacock and Wilson, the holders of the doubles championship, were beaten by Dr. North and McCausland, the Australian pair. The full five sets were •fought out for a decision. North, arjtl McCausland, playing a steadier , gamp, won at B—lo, 6—2, 2—-6, B—6, 6—o. Play was very even in the first four sets, but the Wellington fair faded away in the fifth. Wilson, the youngest player, seemed to feel the strain, particularly, and, after playing an inspired game at the start, fell away toward the finish. A brilliant exhibition, of doubles play •was provided by the match in which. Haege .and Malfroy defeated Seay and Andrews,. 6—4, 6—4, I—6, 7—5. In a contest in which all four players were at' the top of their form, ...Haoge.,. was the spectacular figure. His smashes from the middle of the, cotirt were . deadly ;and ha revealed himself as the cleverest of the quartette. On occasions all four players cam,e into the net and there were some exciting four-cornered rallies with the' ball in the air all the time. Seay and Andrews played to Malfroy's backhand in an ' endeavour to Equalise the sets 'to two all. The games went to, five all, but Haege and Malfroy drew ahead and ran out to win a higlilyspectacular contest. The Peach brothers played a long jivcset match with France and Larape/It Mas a rather disappointing contest, in which errors abounded. • When France arid Lampe led 4—2 in. the deciding set they appeared to have the match" in hand; The Peach brothers finished strongly, however, and took the next four games for the set. Bartleet and Robson had little difficulty in beating the Johns brothers. The winners dropped the first set, but then struck their game-and swept the opposition aside, Haege and Malfroy arid • Knott and Sturt were fighting out a -well-contested match when rain stopped plav. Haego and Malfroy secured the first set at 7-—5, hut the Auckland pair had a lead of 4—l in the second. Form of Lady Players. Miss B. Knight was beaten by Mis.? J. Watson in two straight sets. Miss Watson played almost faultless tennis in the first set and established a strong lead of 4—2, which Miss Knight could not overtake. In the second set two all was called. A desperate struggle then ensued on Miss Knight's service, the game finally going to Miss Watson. Miss Knight led in the next game, but broke down on two easy service returns and Miss Watson led 4—2. Miss Knight went to 40-love on her servicel. but lost her lead through errors, finally losing the game after four deuces. Miss Knight took the eighth game with some characteristic volleying. Accurate driving saved the next" game and the match for Miss Watson. Mrs. Melody was too 1 consistent for Miss Witherow, although the Remuera player fought pluekily. Miss Witherow is an improved player and performed very creditablv.

Misses Knight and Colebrook gave a remarkably fine performance in defeating Miss Speirs and Mrs.Melody, who in some quarters Were expected to win the evernt. The winners combined better and Miss Knight's brilliance at the net turned, the scales. Mrs. Melody's chop strokes, while effective in singles, as a weakness in doubles, Especially against two such fine volleyers as the Auckland pair. Misses Knight and Colebrook thus enter the final.

TO-DAY'S ARRANGEMENTS. Following are the arrangements for today's play:— 10 o'clock—Haege and Maliroy v. Tvnolfc and Start; mixed doubles. 11 n.rn.—Bartlect and Rob,son v, Peach and Peach. 12 o'clock—Ladies' singles semi-finals. 1 p.m.—Boys' singles. 1.30 p.m.—Men's singles semi-finals. S p.m.—Final of ladies' doubles: North and McCauslaml v. winner of 10 a.m. match. THE ROTORUA TOURNEY. RAIN INTERRUPTS PLAY. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] ROTORUA, Thursday. _The Rotc-ma ,tennis tournament vras continued to-day. i. Results:— .Men's Championship Singles.—Semi-finals: Miller defeated. Morgan., 6—2, 6—-5. Ladies' Championship Singles.—Miss Dement defeated Mm Herrick, 6 —5, G—o; Miss Payton Miss Bygate. ft—l; Miss Wilson defeated Miss Suthie, 6—4, 6—5.

.Combined Handicap Doubles..—Semi-finals: Herrick and Mrs. 'Herrick defeated Royal and Miss Moore. o—7; T«pe>re and Miss Kiirepa defeated Elliott and Miss Wilson, 9—3. Ladies' Handicap Singles.—Semi-finals: Mrs. Herrick defeated Miss Higginson, 7-—2. Confined Championship Semifinals:; Elliott and Miss Wilson defeated Western and Miss Higfdnson, £—s, 6—5. Men's Handicap Singles,—-Semi-finals: Thompson defeated piliott, 9—5; Tukerc defpafAforsran "Frequent ahawers interrupted t>lar r durins •the day. The "lawns were vets elow. sftfir yesterday's deluge,