FAVOURITES OUT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22618, 5 January 1937, Page 12

FAVOURITES OUT

BAD LAPSES OF FORM BEDFORD'S TACTICS PREVAIL MISS N. BEVERLEY SUPERIOR [«Y TKLKCiRAI'H—SI'KCIAT, IlEl'Oll I'KH 1 TIM ATI U, Monday After their displays in llic preceding rounds Aligns and Sturt walked on to the court favourites for tlioir respective singles matches, which were played at the same time on the two centre courts before a fair attendance. Stnrt began confidently with his service against Bedford and led 2 —l. The Wellington man was hitting harder at this stage and attacked at the net, taking a 4—2 lead, Stnrt being careless. He was still down at .'.S—5, netting with his backhand. Then two classic rallies enabled the Aucklandcr to gain the ascendancy to lead G —s. Three service aces, plus a net cord shot, gave Stnrt the set at B—6. In the second set Bedford took Shirt's service and quickly ran to a 4—o lead. Many of the Aueklander's shots were netted and he was having a temperamental lapse. He was not happy in this set, making far too many errors, while Bedford endeavoured to slacken the pace. After a 3 —2 lead in the third set Stnrt looked better, but Bedford was active and took the next four games and the set at 6—4. Well-earned Victory After the interval Bedford continued j to slow down the game, making Sturt's forehand drives go out by small margins. The Aueklander's backhand was not functioning, while Ik; could not match his opopnent's consistency, and so the "Wellington man gained a wellearned victory. Stnrt did not play nearly so well as on Saturday, lapsing into frequent errors. Angas, an ex-champion, and favourite for the title, was unexpectedly beaten by Coomhe by three sets to one. In the first set the pace was slow and not impressive, Coombe maintaining the lead of one game to s—l and then taking Angas' serve for set. Angas clid not appear troubled and he won the second set easily. The third set was a classic, Coombo hitting hard and driving Angas off the court front both hands. His over-spin did not suit Angas in this fast set, which was finished while Bedford and Stnrt played three games on the adjoining court. Coombe chipped on the pace again in the fourth set. being especially brilliant on backhand passing shots. Angas now lacked confidence and played a poor length. Coombe led 5 —2 and then two bad decisions upset him in the eighth game. He made no mistakes in the next game, after deuce was called twice. Angas advanced to the net on his service, but was twice completely a cod bv Coombe's backhand return. Coombe has rarely been in such good form. These two defeats make, the title extremely open for to-morrow. Ladies Win Easily The ladies' singles followed the men's. Beginning shortly after twelve both were finished in very quick time. Misses Xieholls and X. Beverley both had easy wins to enter the final. Miss Bishop was slow in moving, but led in the first set by the odd game to (3 —5 against Miss Xieholls. The latter was erratic, making many mistakes, but she made sufficiently powerful drives to take the set and also the next with the loss of one game. Miss T. Poole was wild and erratic, making errors through over-hitting. M iss Beverley had this game in hand all the way, playing well at tho baseline and net and looking a polished player against a running slogger. After losing the first set Misses Bishop and Wake steadied and combined well, getting everything back. Miss Margaret Beverley did not smash with sufficient power at tho net and ■was returned easily. Later in the game she played well, while her elder sister was erratic. It was altogether a disappointing display by the Waikato girls. Miss Bishop played a great game, both on defence and with a powerful drive down the centre of the court. This player is much better in doubles than in singles. The Poole sisters, using their customary speed about the court, easily entered the final. They showed good understanding and attacked from the net well, their smashing being effective. Good Combination The semi-finals of the men's doubles provided one attractivo game, Angas and Seay combining well against Coombe and Charters. The Canterbury pair made better placements and found holes in the opposing defence by excellent smashing. Ferkins and Roussell wero not so impressive, but the first-named was steady, whereas Rousseli was erratic. Barnett was chiefly responsible for the downfall of his side through poaching. The doubles play so far has been far from good, the bright volleying duels often seen being missing. Miss Margaret Beverley again played well in support of Gunn in the combined doubles and they wore unlucky not to win in straight sets. They tired in the third set. not maintaining the consistency of Sony. After being down I —4 Gunn intercepted well at tho net and drew level at •1 -all. He took Scay's service to lead 5 —4. Miss Beverley returned splendid lobs, and Gunn accd to the centre for a forty-love lead. The pair won tho tenth game to fifteen and set after a creditable performance.