TENNIS CONTESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20521, 24 March 1930, Page 12

TENNIS CONTESTS.

INVITATION TOURNAMENT. AUSTRALIANS' FINE DISPLAY. EXCITING DOUBLES MATCH. Close contests were seen in the finals of the invitation tennis tournament played at Stanley Park on Saturday. A crowd of nearly 800 watched with interest fine exhibitions of tennis, the most outstanding being the final of the men's doubles in which F. E. Kalms and J. T. Teague defeated C, Sproule and C. J. Donohoe in a masterly and exciting match. Brilliant sunshine prevailed, there was little wind and the courts were hard and fast.

All the sections of the tournament were concluded with the exception of the mixed doubles. As the Australians took part in two finals on Saturday, the mixed doubles semi-final and final matches were postponed until to-day. The results of the matches played on Saturday were as follows: Men's Singles.—Final: C. Sproule beat C. J. Donohoe, 6—o, 6—3, 6—3.

Ladies' Singles.—Final: Miss Marjorie Macfarlane beat Miss Beryl Knight, B—6, 7—9, 6—l. Men's Doubles.—Final: F. E. Kalms and .T. T. Teague beat C. Sproule and C. J. Donohoe, 11—9, 5—7, 6—2, 6 —2.

Ladies' Doubles. —Final: Mrs. ScottWatson and Miss P. Miller beat Mrs. Napier and Miss J. Ramsay, 6—3, 6—4.

At tho conclusion of the matches on Saturday Mrs. E. Hickson, wife of the president of tho Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, presented the prizes for the events decided. The Australian players were given Maori carvings as mementoes of tho visit to New Zealand. Mr. Hickson, in a brief speech, commented on the courtesy of the visitors who had obliged the association in every way possible throughout the tournament. Sproule Beats Donohoe. The final of the men's singles which was played between Sproule and Donohoe, was a disappointing exhibition, the standard of play being much below what was expected. Sproule was the better player throughout, but his superiority lay chiefly in the fact that he was the steadier. In the first set Donohoe was very erratic, and found difficulty in the sliced shots which Sproule was • sending on to his backhand. Donohoe was volleying poorly and sending many balls out, and his service was not very reliable. Sproule took the first three games with ease, and continued to play a steady game, varying the length of his shots nicely. The set ended 6—o in his favour.

In the second set Donohoe made a determined rally, and played with more steadiness. The first game went to Sproule, and Donohoe then won his first game of the match. After this victory he seemed to take fresh spirit and on several occasions had Sproule thinking hard. However, Sproule had little difficulty in winning the next game and the set, 6—3. The third set was very disappointing. Sproule was playing good steady tennis, and Donohoe scored chiefly off the mistakes of his opponent, but was unable to make much headway. When the score was 5—3, in Sproule's favour, Donohoe showed a great improvement, but Sproule was not to bo denied and ran out a winner by 6—3. A Bright Exhibition.

The final of the men's doubles was played between Donohoe and Sproule and Kalms and Teague, who provided the brightest tennis of the day. Kalms and Teague commenced the match with a lively enthusiasm which called forth the best efforts from their opponents. There were many long rallies at the net when the ball did not touch the ground. Teague was one of the most striking players. He played carefully, and yet took many chances which lie was able to turn to good account. Donohoe was off his game, but he was at times brilliant, and Sproule played a steady, well-planned game throughout. The combination work of Teague and Kalms showed a fine sense of understanding, and was one of the most powerful factors in their win.

The final of the ladies' singles championship, between Miss Marjorie Macfarlane and Miss C. Knight, provided a gruelling contest between two evenlymatched players. Both drove steadily to the back-line, and long rallies were tho order. Miss.Knight sent over fine crosscourt drives, but Miss Macfarlane's agility enabled her to make splendid recoveries. Miss Knight's drives were lower ' and faster than those of her opponent, and she shone more in attack than defence. Miss Macfarlane varied her style by the judicious use of lobs, and when she left the backline she gained points by her forceful net. work. The final of the ladies' doubles, between Mrs. Scott-Watson and Miss P. Miller and Mrs. Napier and Miss J. Ramsay, was an interesting and bright game. While play was not brilliant, Mrs. ScottWatson and Miss Miller were seldom found out of position. They played a careful game throughout, as opposed to the rather erratic play of their opponents, and won the match, 6—3, 6—4. TO-DAY'S MATCHES. The semi-finals of the combined doubles will be played at 2.30 p.m. to-day at the Stanley Street courts. C. Sproule and Miss P. Miller will play J. T. Teague and Miss N. Whitelaw; F. E. Kalms and Miss Marjorie Macfarlane will play C. J Donohoe and Miss B. Knight. The finals will be played at 3.45 p.m.