DOUBLES MATCHES

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

DOUBLES MATCHES

SPLENDID COMBINATION

PERRY'S GREAT RECOVERIES FRANCE DISPLAYS RARE FORM „ outstanding features of the mens doubles match were the heights to which D. G. France, the New Zeaander, rose, and the net interceptions and returns from all angles and positions on the court of F. J. Perrv It was generally anticipated that France and Start would be outclassed by such hn+ e +? W p: V r a ? I>erry a »<l Hughes, TToJ n c + Wa f ar from bei »K the case. f"i 1,1 lllore consistent wf A IIIS sh , ots ' .specially his forehand the results in both sets may W been different. France was definitely the equal of the visitors. Lacking the spectacular methods of Perry .4. Zealander nevertheless demonstrated that he was in command of every shot. His interceptions and return of volleys was positively brilliant and Ins e ever placements for winners evoked admiration and praise on all sides.

AY h ile Perry was the centre of attraction and often provoked hearty laughter with his antics and comment upon his partner's poorest shots, there was a qmet admiration for the less obtrusive methods adopted by Hughes, lhe English captain proved himself an ideal doubles partner, with quick footwork, which enabled him to immediately anticipate shots and get into positions from which it was easiest for him to return the ball. Crowd's Attention

The fact that the games went alternately to 4-all in the first set gripped the firm attention of the crowd, which was at times wildly excited by the sustained volleying rallies, in which all four usually participated. There was an early indication that the New Zealand pan were not going to be outclassed or out-manoeuvred. Sturt commenced serving, and he and his partner drew up from love-40 to win with magnificent overhead work.

. here were some real tennis fireworks m the sixth and eighth games, in which the New Zealanders won the respective services of Hughes and Perrv to draw level at 3-all and 4-all. Wliile Sturt was little inconsistent in his volleying, France rose to great heights, playing the short ball over the net magnificently and with deadly accuracy for points. Sturt dropped his service at this stage, and then his forehand weakness on Hughes' service gave the visitors the set. Hearty Laughs

The second set was really a repetition of the first the spectators being in high glee as the games see-sawed to 9-all. Many of the games were long, with the rallies well sustained, and unstinted applause was bestowed upon the gallant efforts of the New Zealanders to draw even in the matter of sets. The thrills of close volleying were intermingled with hearty laughs as Perry sometimes trieel to "ride" the ball over the net.

The New Zealand pair made a desperate effort to prevent their opponents running into a 10 —9 lead, deuce being called several times. Hughes made some marvellous backhand returns when the ball was dropping at his feet, while Sturt had hard luck with a couple of sideline drives, which missed by a fraction. The match ended with Hughes' service.

MATCH ABANDONED COMBINED DOUBLES EVENT MISS ROUND'S VOLLEYING What promised to be a keen finish to a most interesting combined doubles match was cut short by the lateness of the hour, it being nearly six o'clock when play ceased with Perry and Miss Lvle and France and Miss Round one set each. Perhaps the most interesting feature of this contest was the persistence with which Miss Round played to Perry in preference to the weaker partner. It was only on the occasions when Perry's net position called for such shot that the lady champion directed the ball towards Miss Lyle. At all other times she drove the ball hard at Perry and volleyed back to him. This courage on her part evoked the warmest admiration for Miss Round. Her volleying on both hands failed to reveal the slightest weakness, while her overhead smashing and placements excelled anything hitherto seen from one of her sex at Stanley Street. Although he again played very well and steadily, France was not seen to quite the same advantage as in the men's doubles. Possibly the earliness of the season found him not in condition for such strenuous play. Miss Lyle, a very solidly built player, gave Perry excellent support, her forehand driving being powerful and well directed. Her happy disposition enabled her to enjoy, with the crowd, Perry's good-natured banter about her being " too slow " when some shot went whizzing past her out of all possible reach.

Had she cared she could have scored with interest at Perry's expense when his unlimited energy found him guilty of a great deal of "poaching." However, Perry's invasion of his partner's side of the court was nearly always attended with successful results, as his smashing was particularly severe. When France and Miss Pound held a 4-love lead, it appeared as though they would have an easy win in the first set. Then Perry asserted himself, and his bent for indulging in a few boyish pranks did not prevent his displaying absolute wizardry at times. His superb volleying, intermingled with an occasional dash across the court to effect an angular half-volley return for a winner drew forth cheers. Perry and Miss Lyle won three games on end, and then a flashing service by Miss Round increased her lead to 5 France pulled up his service from love-40 to deuce which was called several times before the score was evened at 5-alI. The crowd greatly enjoyed Perry's role in one very long rally in which ho was merely a spectator, while Miss Lylo endeavoured to bold her opponents at bay. The games alternated to 7-all before Perry and Miss Lyle prevailed. The second set was very similar to the first. France and Miss Round won the first five games in a row, and then great fighting play by their opponents saw the board showing s—>3.5 —>3. There were some brilliant and sustained rallies' when Perry did not cut them short at the net. Miss Round "as accorded ovations on the numerous occasions upon which she returned many of Perry's severest smashes. France had regained his consistency, while Miss Lyle effected some beautiful cross-court drives. France an d M iss Round won the set, and no doubt there was disappointment. that time did not permit of finality.

PROGRAMME FOR TO-DAY OUTSTANDING DOUBLES GAMES Further exhibition matches will he played to-day. The meeting of Perry and Hughes in singles should be productive of some very interesting play, tho English captain having the ability to keep the champion on the mo\e. Tim men's doubles, between Perry and Hughes and France and Sturt, will lie repeated by popular demand, and is certain to provide another thrilling exhibition. Every tennis lover will be anxious to see what has really never been witnessed before in Auckland—a champion ladies' doubles team in action. Misses Dearman and Lyle, one of the best doubles combinations in the world, will oppose Misses Pound and Macfarlane. Play will commence at 1.30 p.m.