AN EXCITING CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19834, 3 January 1928, Page 11

AN EXCITING CONTEST.

FINAL OF MEN'S SINGLES. OLLIVIER IN GREAT FORM. FINE DISPLAY BY BARTLEET. [bt telegraph.—press association.] CHRISTCHURCH. Monday. Thore was a great contest between Ollivier and Bartleet, in the final of the men's singles at the Dominion tennis tournament. Ollivier served first and won the game after deuco had been called twice. Bartleet was forced out of position twice in the \ second game and w?.s then beaten by swift cross-court vol ley y. Tho Aucklander was three down after Ollivier'3 second service. Serving again Bartleet got to advantage in twice, clinching matters with a low shot cui to Ollivier's backhand. In the fifth game Ollivier sent down some rattling services for* a love game and a lead of 4—l. Ollivier won the set, 6—l. It had been tame tennis. Bartleet began the second set by winning his servico from 40—15, He was applauded for running Ollivier into one corner and then slamming a fast shot straight down the other line. Delightful driving rallies followed, with Bartleet striking a better length. However, ho was still being worked out of court and Ollivier completely baffled him with delicate drop volleys. - Tho Canterbury man took tho second and third games by this method, but Bartleet secured the fourth. Ollivier won the fifth and Bartleet the sixth. Bartleet Gains Applause. With the games three all and the score 40—30 on his service Bartleet made, a great effort to get the odd game and sue- I coeded amid applause after two deuces. to the net were paying Bartleet handsomely. Ollivier served and was down 15 —40 and later advantage out three times. He finally came in for a volley and was passed. Bartleet led 5—3. The effort told on Bartleet and he lost the ninth game on his service to love. Ollivier lost the first three strokes of th« tenth game. Then Bartleet drove one out but secured the next point, the game and the set by sending a slow drag shot to Ollivier's feet as the Canterbury man was coming in. Opening the third set Bartleet was down on his service. Once again ha forced tho pace, caught up and won the final point with his serve. Ollivier had a narrow escape from losing the second game, but just got homo after a keen light. The third game went to the Auckland man, but Ollivier won the fourth easily to love.. When 30 all on his service, Bartleet smashed one into the not. Then Ollivier drove out and Bartleet put another shot iuto the net. He seemed to have the next point on a great recovery, but Ollivier made a liptter recovery and the game was his. Spectacular Fourth Set. Again Bartleet fell into errors, nets and outs alternating. Ollivier led 4—2 and 5—2. Serving in the eighth game he double-faulted and lobbed out. Bartleet put a smash away beautifully. Ollivier next drove out and the games were 5—3. Inaccuracy cost Bartleet tho ninth. Ha was unable to keep up the pressure and Ollivier won the set, 5—3. The fourth set began with spectacular rallies. Ollivier served and won the first game. In one exchange Ollivier smashed four times, drove short to the side line and then sent a winning cut volley to the same spot. Bart!eet served splendidly and won tho second game from 40—15. He also got the third, passing Ollivier beautifully twice. Bartleet led 40—15 in the fourth—an important game. He tried to clinch it and lost the next three points to advantage out. The Aucklander pressed hard and fortunes fluctuated, deuco being called four times before the game finally went to Ollivier, Ollivier served and was advantage out three times before capturing the odd game. Then the score was 3 all. Ollivier was down 15 —40 in the seventh game and be lost it by missing a side-line drive. Ollivier was finding the contest hard. Bartleet kept going and won the eighth with clipping drives, varied with slow shots to the back-hand corner. He got the ninth game and the set with a net cord shot that did not rise. Tho score was 6—3. Ollivier in Control. With the sets two all Bartleet served and ]<>st from 50—40. Ollivier made the second game his to love. For tho time being, anyway, he had full control again and Bartleet was defending. Bartleet came to light again and with the aid of a net cord shot and a low skimming drive secured the third game. In the fourth game Ollivier was served with a lot of cut. Ho won it and led *3—l. Bartleet had to go hard now. Ho took the game from 40—31), when Ollivier lobbed out as the Aucklander rushed to the net. Ollivier served and was down 30 —40. Then Bartleet netted a drive and sent a shot out. Ollivier won the next point on brilliant placement and the games if ere 4—2 in his favour. Bartleet outplayed his opponent qnd made sure of _tl»e seventh gam<s with a crisp volley. Ollivier served and could not get a point. Four all. Excitement was high. Bartleet stepped into the ninth game with vigour and took it. Ollivier served and lost the first point on Bartleet's cross-court drive. Tlicu the score was 15 all, 30—15, 40—15, game to O.llivier with nice placements. Aucklander in Lead. Bartleet served and got three points early, but then drove out. However, ho finally clinched the game with a smash and led 6—5. Ollivier served in the twelfth game and led 30—15, 40 —15. 40 30. A high drive by Ollivier went out and deuco was called, but the Canterbury man took the game by forcing Bartleet into errors. Bartleet served and was down love—3o, but gflt to 40—30, deuco and then advantage in. After deuce had been called twice again the game went to Ollivier with a side-line drive. At advantage in Bartleet slipped and appeared to strain himself. , «, In the next game Oli:vier doublofaulted twice and was down 15—40. He got to 30—40, but the game went to Bartleet through Ollivier driving out. Seven all. Bartleet seemed the more exhausted of the two, but he stuck to it. However, Ollivier won the game and led o 7 0D his service Ollivier won thn next game to love, the Bet 9-7. and the match, after a tremendous struggle, amid rounds of applause. PLAY AT BOTORUA. CONCLUSION OF TOURNEY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ROTOBUA, Monday. The Rotorca tennis tournament was concluded in beautiful weather and the final games produced good tennis. Results were:— Combined Handicap Doubles.—Semifinal: Mrs. Allison and Allison beat Mrs. Tonks and Thompson, 11—9. Final: Miss Matheson and Stedrnan beat Mrs Aliison and Allison, 6—3, 6—l. \ Men's Championship Doubles. —Semifinal: Morpeth and Horton beat Morgan and Richardson, (i—l, 4—6, 6—3. Final: S&edmaa and Stedrnan beat Morpeth and Horton, 6—2 6—2, 6—5. Men's Handicap Doubles.—Final: Morpeth and Horton beat Thompson and Bowden, 6—5, 6 —4.