SINGLES DEFEATS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22616, 2 January 1937, Page 12

SINGLES DEFEATS

YOUNG AUCKLANDERS STURT ELIMINATES GUNN BROWN BEATEN BY CHARTERS [BT TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] TIMARU, Friday Some nuisance was caused throughout the afternoon at the New Zealand lawn tennis championships to-day by the continual passing of spectators behind the players during rallies. An aeroplane also passing overhead each quarter of an hour caused annoyance and altogether it was an afternoon of difficulty in concentration for players. Roussell did not play well to defeat Latham, the last-named taking the second set and being in a position to win the third. Latham's condition told toward the end of the match, but Iloussell did not impress, largely through lack of confidence. The two promising Auckland boys, Gunn and Brown, were both beaten in straight sets. They have shown improvement this year, but neither liked the wet conditions. Both have improved their court behaviour and each took his defeat in most sportsmanlike manner and earned praise. Gunn adapted his play to the heavy courts better than Brown, but could not manage short drop shots, which sturt used effectively. Sturt also lobbed well and volleyed Gunn's backhand effectively. In the C'harters-Brown match the latter did not like balls that did not rise much and he played without confidence. Charters drove deep to his opponent's backhand and advanced to the net, where he volleyed well. Brown could get no sting in his backhand leturns and gave Charters many easy chances. Barnett Kept Running McArthur, Wellington, could not cope with Barnett, even although he kept the latter moving. The Canterbury player thrived on the running game and maintained his balance well. Coombe drove better and with more concentration against Cant. Both are fair players, with small chance of reaching the highest peak. Coombe proved more steady in a long baseline duel. Misses Ramsay, Auckland, and Bishop, Canterbury, both had easy wins, although Miss Drake fought hard, but was unable to cope with the AtickIsnder's sliced drive. A long ladies' singles between Miss Howe and Wake was fought entirely from the back line. Miss Howe put more pace on the ball nnd effectively drove deep shots to the baseline corners. The Dymond-Bedford match opened quietly, with little between the players in the first set. D\mond was playing his second singles and seemed to tire in the second set, missing many easy returns. He ran to a four-love lead in third. Bedford then produced all strokes, being brilliant to win six games in a :row and the match. The winner was casual on the court, but he certainly played all his shots confidently and with pace. ' Volleying Duels Sturt and Gunn beat Livingstone and Roach in a close doubles, noted for volleying duels. Sturt again found weaknesses in the opposition, being ably supported by his partner. Roach hit classic backhand volleys, but the Waikato pair were too erratic, perferring speed to placements. The Aucklanders killed their opponents' smashes, this being tho chief difference in the pairs. Beatson and Mrs. Beatson surprised by defeating Charters and Miss N. Beverley. The last-named pair won the first set easily, but eased up. Mrs. Beatson then played well to prove too much for both her opponents, whom she outdrove and outlobbed at will. The combination of Charters and Miss Beverley was not good, but most credit is due to superb play by Mrs. Beatson. The singles are now through to the last eight, namelv, Angas, Roussell, Coombe, Charters, Sturt, Barnett, Bedford, Ferkins, in that_ order. In the ladies' singles Misses Nicholls, M. Beverley.. Wilson, Bishop, N. Beverley, Ramsay, T. Poole and Howe survive.