PLAY THRILLS CROWD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21328, 1 November 1932, Page 10

PLAY THRILLS CROWD

INTEREST IN VINES CHAMPION'S FAST SERVICE LEADING DOUBLES EXPONENTS The large crowd which assembled at the Stanley Street courts yesterday afternoon was thrilled by the exhibitions given by the American players, who were frequently applauded for their brilliant play. Tho Americans naturally were not at the top of their form, having just concluded n three weeks' sea journey, but they gave tho spectators a good idea of what they would be capable of doing when at their zenith. The scores in the matches played by the Americans were:— J. Van Ryn beat K. Gledhill, 6 —4. 11. E. Vines and W. Allison drew, 7-all. Allison and Van Ryn beat Vines and Gledhill, 7—fi, 6—2. Chief interest naturally centred in 11. E. Vines, tho world's champion singles player, and tho power and speed of his service made the spectators gasp with astonishment and admiration. His graceful driving, both forehand and backhand, won hiin instantaneous applause on numerous occasions. What was seen of him in his singles with Allison, mado one wish for the opportunity of watching him when fully extended in a championship contest. The prowess of the members of the team was well known to the tennis public beforo they arrived, and tremendous interest was also taken in tho doubles play of Allison and Van Ryn, who have twico annexed tho world's championship, as well as other doubles titles. They aro regarded as the most formidable partners playing the game to-day. While the crowd was waiting for the Americans to arrive, it was entertained to an exhibition game between two Aucklanders, A. G. Stedman and N. G. Sturt. They played threo sets, Stedman winning 6—?>, 6—o, 6—l. Sturt was below form and was unable to hold the former New Zealand champion. (Jraceful Players Loud applause greeted Van Ryn and Gledhill when they took the court for their exhibition set. Van Ryn ran into an early lead of 3—l, but Gledhill drew level to 3 all, the last game being a love one off his own service. Van Ryn pulled up from love—4o in the seventh game to win after deuce had been three times. The reverse was the position -in the next game, Gledhill drawing level from love—4o and then three deuces were called. Van Ryn took two games in a row for the iset. Both players were very graceful, particularly when playing backhand shots. Van Ryn was the more consistent. He varied his length cleverly and also placed his lobs very successfully. He netted a few cross-court shots on the backhand, but that, was only natural, considering he was out of practice. They would have been brilliant winners had they skimmed the net. Glenhill pub on a lot of top side and spin, making the ball keep low or rise high as he desired. He placed well at times;, but was inconsistent. • Loader applause heralded the appearance of Vines and Allison. Vines ran into an early lead of 3—love, frequently catching his epponent out of position with beautiful shots which just skimmed the net. In the first game Allison served and led 40—love, but Vines' placements had his opponent running about a good deal and She drew level to deuce and then won with magnificent passing backhand shots down tho sideline which evoked the admiration of the gallery. Brilliant Driving. Vines was down 30 —40 on his own service through his own errors in netting, but his powerful driving to both hands stood him in good stead. Allison was warmly applauded for returning a seemingly impossible drive to his backhand. Further brilliant driving by Vines down both sidelines won him the third game. Two double faults in serving by Vines gave Allison his first game. The fifth game was productive of some high-class plo.v by both. Vines returned a fast service in remarkable style to make it deuce. The champion gained the advantage with a lightning drive from a bounce following a high and well-placed lob by Allison. It was a thrilling shot which brought unstinted applause. Splendid driving by Allison then won him the game. Sending in his second service almost as fast as his first, Vines held the advantage in the si>.:th game. Following his terrific serves to tho net he cut off any returns Allison was f-ble to make. Tho seventh game saw Allison also serving well. His first ball had pace, while ho made the second kick a good deal. Vines was lucky with, net cord shots, but tho game went against him. Magnificent shots by Vines gave Allison :no hope of returning them as they whir,zed past his forehand when he advanced to the net. Vines led 5—3, and it appeared that the set would finish with . the next game. Vines, however, appeared to slacken off a little, whereas Allison was finding his "land legs." The games were level at 5 all, Vines becoming careless with his services. Both played dazzling tennis at times, and the games sec-sawed. Allison took the lead for tho first time at 7—6. Brilliant serving again by Vines brought him level at 7 all, and then the players decided they had had enough, as they had to go straight on with a doubles exhibition. Doubles Contest Two sets were played in the doubles, Vines; and Gledhill meeting Allison and Van Ryn. It was early apparent that the latter pair had tho better combination and understanding, and their play was more consistent. Unlike the majority of pairs each occupied the same court throughout, not changing over to receive service. Allison always occupied the left-hand court, whereas his partner was in the right. AJlison subsequently stated that they used to change over in 192 C, but found they were not able to combine! so well, and so they adopted their present combination and kept to it. The. fine all-round play of Allison and Van Ryn made the spectator realise quite readily how they came to be champions of tho world. It was a treat to see the positional. play of the four, more particularly of Allison and Van Ryn. They took the first set at 7—5, the outstanding feature of the of the losers being the brilliant smashing of Vines, whose overhead work was magnificent. The second set was won more easily by Allison and Van Ryn, the score being 6—2 in Heir favour, i'lay seemed to go mostly to Gledhill, who was too inconsistent to be successful. He made some wonderful recoveries and played many highly spectacular shots, but, on the other hand, he netted a number of easy returns. Three cheers were given for the visitors at tho conclusion of the play, of which a sound picture was taken. The Americans were entertained at afternoon tea in. the pavilion. They expressed themselves as being delighted with the court they played on and with the arrangements made for I heir reception.