LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21731, 21 February 1934, Page 14

LAWN TENNIS

BY SIDELINE

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

FINALISTS AT REMUERA

HARRISON BROTHERS' RECORD

Under comparatively fine weather conditions at the week-end, matches at the various clubs were advanced a further stage, although with three A grade inter-club fixtures still remaining to be played, there is not very much time left for the matches to be completed under the best conditions. Playing at Remuera, N. G. Sturt defeated M. M. Morrison in straight setii. The last-named has been seen to better advantage, and the heavy conditions did not appear to suit him. A feature of Sturt's play was his angled shots off the ground, which constantly had. his opponent in difficulties at the net. Porter and Bartleet completed two sets of not very serious tennis, Bartleet not wishing to continue tennis after this week in view of the golf championships at Easter. Porter won, 6 —2, 6—o, 4 —l, and should bo given credit for a splendid effort in reaching the final.

Miss J. Ramsay completed another round of the ladies' singles by defeating Miss Glwen Gardner, who, however, played very well and secured the second set.

Ma.tches at Royal Oak Only two players, A. Bockett and G. Rich, have reached the semi-finals in the men's singles at Royal Oak. The other two positions are likely to be filled by N. Johnston and either B. Brownloe or A. Davis. The last-named is a. promising player who eliminated M. Robb in the second round, 6—4, 7—o. Robb won the title in 1929, and his defeat means that a new champion must be found this year, as J. T. Harrison, who won from 1930 to 1933 inclusive, is not defending his title. Little progress has been made in the ladies' singles, but the winner should be either Miss Mellsop, the title-holder, Miss A. Ellett. or Miss Parr. In the ladies' doubles Mrs. Caughey and Mrs. Henry created a surprise by defeating last year's winners, Misses Ellett and Mellsop, 1!?—10, 4—-6, 6—4. The issue is now very open and close contests should result.

The long reign in the men's championship doubles of tho Harrison brothers, who won from 1925 to 1933 inclusive, mil be broken, since P. Harrison, as president of the Auckland Association, has not been able to find time for playing, and J. T. Harrison is coaching. Partridge's Ground Shots

Noale is the only player to have reached the semi-final in tho men's singles at Parnell. He qualified by defeating Litherland, 7 —5, 7—5. He will most likely.be opposed by Lamb for the right to enter the final. C. Partridge, who has put up some impressive scores in the lower half of the dravr, is likely to reach the final, in which his stronger ground shots should prevail over Roberts, and also Bushill, who may be expected to beat Storry. Roberts had an exceptionally close contest with the veteran R. J. Coates, and just managed to win at 3—6, 11—9, 7—5. Coates and Partridge seem the most likely pair to come through in the doubles, but Bushill and Roberts, and Lamb and Neale are both pairs with possibilities. Eight players remain in the singles at Eden and Epsom—H. C. Rowlands, A. C. Johns, P. E. Potter, V. N. Hubble, A. K. Turner, Chapman, M. T. Wilson and V. R. Johns, who meet in that order. If established form holds, Rowlands, Potter, A. K. Turner and M. T. Wilson should prove to be the semi-finalists.

In the ladies' singles, Miss B. M. Knight has reached the semi-final and meets the winner of Miss Edwards and Miss B. Oooke. The last-named is a greatly improved young player and a close, match should result. On the other half of the draw Miss J. Ramsay and Miss D. Newton are almost certain to meet in a match which should bo well worth seeing and should definitely establish the ascendancy for one or the other.