BRILLIANT TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21949, 5 November 1934, Page 11

BRILLIANT TENNIS

ENGLISH TEAM'S VISIT

inhibition in Auckland WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONS PLAY appearance OF MISS D. ROUND There was a large attendance of lawn j s enthusiasts at the Stanley Street ourts on Saturday afternoon to watch [be exhibition matches between ineni- , s 0 f the visiting English team, ssisted by D. G. France, of Wellington and Sturt and Miss Marjorie j( a cfarlane, of Auckland. The main attractions were the reappearance in Auckland of F. J. Perry and the initial appearance of Miss Dorothy Pound, jjotli these Wimbledon champions delighted the spectators with their allround ability. jj ie weather was line, but a fairly rold gusty wind called for sound judgment, more especially with high lobs. Perry demonstrated that he has im- ' r oved his game during the past year, Lnv of his shots being brilliantly exeJt e 'd, while the speed with which he covered the court was amazing. He could now be correctly described as a wizard with the racquet. It was when his team was behind on games that the champion was usually seen at his best. There were odd moments when he was not so serious and it was then that his antics and boyish spirit were enjoyed hv the onlookers. 'Hughes impressed with his displays in both siugles and doubles. In the former his experience and generalship were too much for his Auckland opponent, while lie exhibited rare courtcraft when he and Perry' wore associated in the doubles. Mistress of Shots

The public could not have failed to be'impressed with the neat appearance and court demeanour of Miss Round. The play of the champion revealed that B he was mistress of all the shots, whether forehand or backhand, off the groundj volleying, or overhead. She is without doubt the best lady player seen in Auckland, and quite lived up to the reputation which preceded her. The plav and court presence of both Misses E.'N. Dearman and N. M. Lyle were also very attractive. They produced a wide variety of shots in their respective singles, while Miss Lyle was frequently seen to advantage in the combined doubles, in which she partnered Perry. France was easily the outstanding New Zealand player. In both doubles he played some magnificent shots, volleys. half-volleys and smashes, together with cleverly placed cross-court strokes, while he also lobbed very successfully on occasions. The Auckland public has never seen f the Wellington player to such advantage, and his brilliant "exhibitions demonstrated that it is only necessary for New Zealauders to be given the opportunities of playing in the best company for players of this country to mate a rapid advance into the highest company.

Results of Matches Following were the results of the exhibition matches:—

G. P. Hughes, England, heat !N*. G. Sturt, New Zealand, 6 —l, 6 —3. Miss D. Round, England, beat Miss E. M. Dearman, England, 6—3, 6—2. Niss N. M. Lyle, England, beat IM iss Marjorie Macfarlane, New Zealand. 6 —2, 6—l. Perrv and Hughes beat France and Sturt, 6—4, 11 —0. Perry and Miss Lyle drew -with France and Miss Round. 9 —7, 3—in. This match was abandoned owing to the lateness of the hour.

Visitors Welcomed The visitgrs were welcomed by Mr. T. E. Hickson, president of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, and by Mr. P. Harrison, president of the Auckland Association. Both said it was a pleasure to welcome such distinguished players, whose records were briefly outlined. The remarks of the speakers were frequently interrupted by loud applause Mr. 6. P. Hughes, manager and captain of the English team, said other overseas players had assured him that the members of his team would enjoy themselves in New Zealand, and the past day or so had satisfied him that they all would have a wonderful time. "At any rate,- first impressions have s)een good," added Mr. Hughes.

PLAY IN SINGLES HUGHES FINE TACTICIAN VISITING LADIES EXCEL Hughes had no difficulty in accounting for Sturt in two straight sets. " e Aucklander fought gamely, howler, but ha made too many mistakes to c ®use the visitor any concern. The f I? Was a §°° d exhibition and many the games were carried to deuce. J-ne score -was a fair indication of the Merits of the players, although Sturt as possibly unfortunate not to "win a more games. Hughes impressed as a fine tactician, is positional pi ay and exploitation of Pm heme an object lesson. There are jio idiosyncracies in his play, although e s °nietimes employs a puzzling rein!^ 0 There was almost an entire absence of lobs which probably °u,d have won points on several occasions.

won ,^ ie opening game, and Tn 6ll l English captain took six in a IZ to the first set. When the T . as , 3—l Sturt made a deterstaved ff ° n '- v ' JC successfully more vigour into their L * l n . the second set, the visitor takL ri „ w hich enabled Sturt to run fnn_ f, 1 lead. The Aucklander then Tf.tn ne t nin ch too often with his returns and Hughes led at 4—2. A temtlio T recov ery by Sturt saw him take and ?T ven th game brilliantly to love, dpiir. worried his opponent at ma* 6 several times before the Englishy-. Prevailed. The following game was tpi eas] ly bv Hughes, giving him the Eet and match:' ounf ' d Dearman displayed perfect pioduction without the (iiiii» e .semblance of contortion. It is valup eV p' n t both ])1 avers know the cmip ° c Proper timing and are disthe til school which believes that andv 1 ! 11 ean both outmanoeuvre or nnU ? the stvle which creates top 'jftwrnnine drives, don,, j C<l, man was quickest to settle took 2? d / 3-—]., but Mibs Round after J l6 th to love and the sixth every 3 i exc 'ting exchanges in which delicaf 1 ,vas exploited from the its ml i°P s h°t to the full drive and point P onic ntary volley. From this pro red °j: 0 Wimbledon heroine iinthat hp pla y» with the consequence game °PP° ne pt did not win another

garnet; had thus taken five Hum hp,.*! a . rrnv a "d :-he increased this the JL i e,ght ' w, '°" shn led .'i—love in ° n hotK 51 - Her cross-court drive Point- H-; w,n £ s was her most prolific curate n T^ ho ""t quite so accnahled V drop shots and this games. to win lier two good iWi' s vnlleving was accural ground shots lacked the the game. w 'thout tho loss of another

fir'st ! o!j t only two panics in the foreWl ? ainst Miss Maelarlane. Her « tta cki n - line was her best °P shnf ' i! 't she also played the <>]] v r>lo W 'i i < ' ne precision. These ir°P off +if n t an advantage to rotnrns - Although Miss l ? could .P rove d in the second set PR thr> r*"? 011 '. v one game, this Mainly fi. 1 ; which was captured jj- T o,| gh exrollont- overhead to all i l"°°twork was an eduit, w ho were privileged to