TENNIS CONTESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21404, 31 January 1933, Page 12

TENNIS CONTESTS

AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS STEDMAN DEFEATS BARTLEET MISS MACFARLANE'S RECORD EXCITING DOUBLES MATCHES The Auckland Lawn Tennis Association's annual championship tournament was concluded at tho Stanley Street courts yesterday in tho presence of a large gathering of spectators. Tho weather was again beautifully fine, the association having been fortunate in this respect, there being no interruption during the fivo days' play. The majority of tho final matches provided the crowd with thrills, especially tho great effort by Miss 33. M. Knight in' the second sot against Miss Marjorie Macfarlane and tho fine play in the men's doubles.

Miss Macfarlane's win gave her a record of successes in tho ladies' championship event. Her total of wins is now eight, secured in tho following years:—l92l, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1928, 1929, 1932, 1933. A. G. Stedman, who defeated E. L. Bartleet in tho final of tho men's singles championship, gained this title for the first time, and it was a popular success. He had won a higher honour, however, in tho New Zealand championship in 1930. The tournament was most capably conducted by Mr. P. Harrison, who was assisted by an energetic committee. A pleasing feature was the umpiring which a leading player described as excellent. Every member of the association did his utmost to make tho tournament a huge 6uccess. One of the features of the tourney was the remarkable success achieved by tho representatives of country sub-associations. The men's B grade singles went to R. R, Lees, Matata; tho intermediate boys' singles to R. W. Smith, W'arkworth; tho intermediate girls' singlos to Miss D. Romiger, Puhoi, Rodney; tho intermediate girls' doubles to Misses Rerniger; the intermediate combined doubles to R. W. Smith and Miss D. Remiger. The lastnamed thus won three honours and Smith won two. s The Title-holders Following are the title-holders in the chief events for 1933: Men's Singles.—A. C. Stedman, Auckland. Ladies' Singles.—Miss Marjorie Macfarlane, Auckland. Men's Doubles.—E. L. Bartleet, Auckland, and C. E. Malfroy, Wellington. Ladies' Doubles.—Miss B. LI. Knight, Auckland, and Mrs. W. J. Melody, Weir* ington. ! Combined Doubles. —C. E. Malfroy, Wellington, and Miss B. M. Knight, Auckland. The results of yesterday's play were as follows: MEN'S SINGLES Final.—A. C. Stedman beat E. L. Bartleet, 6—4, 6—3, 6—o. LADIES' SINGLES Finnl.—Miss Marjorie Macfarlane beat Miss B. M. Knight, 6—o, B—G. MEN'S DOUBLES Final.—E. L. Bartleet and C. E. Malfroy beat A. C. Stedman and N. G. Sturt, 4—6, S—G, 2—G, 9—7. LADIES' DOUBLES Final.—Miss B. M. Knight, Auckland, and Mrs. W. J. Melody, Wellington, beat Misses Marjorie and Marion Macfarlane, 6—3, 6—B, B—6. COMBINED DOUBLES

Semi-finals.—C. E. Malfroy and Miss B. M. Knight beat A. C. Stedman and Miss Beverley, 3—6, 7—5, G—3; N. R. C. Wilson and Mrs. Napier beat N. G. Sturt and Miss Marjorie Macfarlano, 2—6, 10 —8, 6—3. Final.—Malfroy and Miss Knight beat "Wilson and Mrs. Napier, 7—5, 6—o. MEN'S SINGLES.—B Grade. Final. —R. R. Lees beat T. R. Turei, I—C, 6*-2, G—2, G—l. INTERMEDIATE BOYS' SINGLES Final.—R. W. Smith beat J. Roach, G—2, G—3. INTERMEDIATE GIRLS' SINGLES Final.—Miss D. Remiper beat Miss B. Griffiths, 10 —8, 4—G. 6—3. INTERMEDIATE BOYS' DOUBLES Final.—R. R. Lees and M. F. Lees beat W. B. Sutherland and S. R. Walton, 7—9, G—2, G—2. INTERMEDIATE COMBINED DOUBLES Final.—R. W. Smith and Miss D. Remiger beat J. L. B. Stevens and Miss Bottrcll, 6—l, 6—3. JUNIOR BOYS' SINGLES Final. —J. L. B. Stevens beat J. Gunn, 4—6, 6—6, 6—3. Stedman's Victory The final of the men's singles was a little disappointing, Stedman proving too good for Bartleet, although the winner did not, piny so well as on Saturdny, when he eliminated Malfroy. Bartleet had not trained seriously for the event and actually surprised himself by reaching the final. Stedman played confidently from tho start, his driving being deep and hard. He took the first two games, but Bartleet then commenced to pass _his opponent at tho net. Double faulting By Stedman enabled Bartleet to draw level at 2—all. Another two games went to Stedman, but, when leading 4—3 and 40 —15, he drove out and double-faulted. Two further over-strong drives enabled Bartleet to draw level again at 4—all. Weak backhand shots by Bartleet cost him tho next two games and tho set.

Bartleet played magnificent tennis in winning the first three games of tho second set. He effected several brilliant returns, his half-volleying was splendid, while his volleying and overhead work at the net enabled him to place the ball well out of reach of his opponent. It was the real champion player the public saw in these three games.

Unfortunately, however, Bartleot was unoblo to sustain the pace and Stedraan won the next 12 games in a row to take the match. Stedman _ drove splendidly on both hands and, playing to Bartleet's backhand weakness, ho gained his points steadily. Both players advanced to tho not successfully at. times, Stedman doing woll in this department. Stodman's play was much the more accurate, although ho double-faulted too often.

Bartleot made a dying effort in tho sixth game of the last eet. He led 40—love on his own service when a lucky net-cord shot gave Stedman his first point. Bartleet double-faulted and over-drove, and deuce was called. Stedman hnd match point twice before finally succeeding, Malfroy Excels Some of the best tennis of tho tournament was seen in the final of tho men's doubles, in which Bartleet and Malfroy beat Sturt and Stedman. The brilliant overhead work, volleying and half-volleying all round evoked frequent applauso from the gallery. .Many of the games were productive of long rallies, and deuce was called several times.

It was n. stubborn contest in tho first four sots, at tho conclunion of which the pairs had each won two. Some great tennis was produced in tho final set. Bartleet and Malfroy led 4 —3 and 40 —love, but then lapsed and lost the game. It was Skirt's turn at service and he was love—4o, but again Bartleet and Malfroy erred and their opponents led, 5—4. Brilliant serving by Bartleet evened the score once more, and then tho games alternated with servico to 7—all. Stedman dropped his service and Malfroy clinched the match with a remarkable second Berve which aced Stedman und broke right ovor into No. 2 court.

Bartleet served exceptionally well right through, gaining points many times with angular deliveries. Malfroy also served well and played some clean drop shots just over the net in the fifth set, in which ho waß the dominating player of tho four, Stedman's service was a strong feature of his play, while he was brilliant overhead, tho majority of his smashes giving his opponents no chance. In keeping with the other three players, Sturt served splendidly, and he ran round a number of lobs very successfully. There were remarkably few double faults in the whole match. Bartleot and Malfroy varied their play better than their opponents, tho accuracy of their lobbing being a feature of the match. They made their opponents do all the work and this assisted them to victory.

Misses Marjorie and Marion Macfarlane put up a valiant defence for their ladies doubles title against Mrs. Melody and Miss Knight, and in the early stages of tho deciding set appeared likely to bo successful. In the first set the title holders started well and took tho first two games, but then lost the next four, Mrs. Melody's chops causing netted volleys. The seventh wag a long game, which went to the Misecs Macfarlane, but they dropped tho next two and the set. ~ , . All four were fighting .;for tho net position and the play was very close in the second sot, but it waß marred by too many volleying errors, Miss Knight, in particular, failing to finish off shots at tho net. In the third set the holders went to 3—love, but lost their advantage and Mrs. Melody and Miss Knight took the next four games. Even play resulted for tho next few games, but Mrß. Melody and Miss Knight wero not to be denied and got home at B—G. In Iho combinod doubles semi-final atui't and Miss Marjorie Macfarlane held a slight advantage in the initial stages against y 1 '* son and Mrs. Napier, taking the first Bet at o—2 and leading 3—l and 4—3 in the second. Wilson and his partner, however, wero on terms at s—all. Mrs. Isapier won her service for a lead of 6-—5, but Miss Macfarla.ne went to 40—15 and, forcing Wilson into an error, the games wero even at 6 all. The title holders had a match point at B—7, but Wilson _ beat Sturt down the line. Sturt made a miraculous volley off one oi Wilson's smashes, but Wilson and his partner saved tho game and went on to take the set at, 10—8. . . , , Play was very even in tho third set., but Wilson's overhead work was very severe and, getting good support from Mrs. iSapier, the set was secured at B—<3. Stedman and Miss Beverley led Malfroy and Miss Knight at 5—3 in the first set and Stedman took the Bet on his delivery, Malfroy being somewhat unlucky on a sideline decision. In the second sot Malfroy and Miss. Knight led C—s. Malfroy dropped his service, however, and good serving by Stedman, with an interce_ption by Miss Beverley, made it 5—4. A bad line decision helped Miss Knight and Malfioy lead 6—5 and take tho set by a break through Miss Beverley's service. Malfr?y and Miss Knight obtained a lead of 3—2 in tho deciding Bet, but they had to woik for every point. Stedman then lost his service and Malfroy put his side further ahead by splendid interceptions. Tho end came soon afterwards, Malfroy dominating tho game - take tho set at 6—3. . , Malfroy and Miss Kniglit took the first threo games against Wilson and Mrs. rvapier. but the last-named served well and captured the fourth game, an ace contnbuting Malfroy had Mrs. Napier in. difficulties with his break service, but in Bpite of this she beat him splendidly across court, and, two double faults following. 3 —2 was called. Wilson lost to love, and, in spite of some fine play by Mrs. Napier. Malfroy dominated tho net to lead 5-2. Mrs. Napier again served effectively and Malfroy was broken through to make the score 5 —4. W llson then won to love and s—all was called. Malfroy s vollevs won the next two games for the set. Malfroy dominated play m the last set, which he and Miss Knight won without tho loss of a game.