LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22769, 1 July 1937, Page 20

LAWN TENNIS

NEW ZEALAND PLAYERS

SUCCESS OF A. C. STEDMAN [from our own correspondent] LONDON. Juno 14 D. C. Coombe, the New Zealand Davis Cup player, enjoyed some successful tennis at the Walsall Grange open tournament, where he won the men's singles, and, with Mrs. .T. S. Kirk, tho mixed doubles. His opponent in tho final of the singles was not in Coombe's class, and the New Zealander won. 6 —o, 6 —o. The mixed doubles provided a closer struggle, but Coombe and his partner won eventually, 6 —l, 6 —B, 6—3. A. C. Stedman, playing in the final of the men's singles in the Liverpool tournament, was beaten, 7—9, B—G, (5| f by o. w. Butler, whom lie lias previously beaten. But he- won, with Butler, the men's doubles, and, wi'.h Madame Mathieu, the All-England mixed doubles.

Both men wore spikes for tho singles. There was no sun and little wind. It. was a close match, but by no means a great one. Butler tested Stcdmaivs backhand with little success; Stedman not as little change out of Butler's. Butler's activity was remarkable, and it needed a decisive volley to deny this swift and sure retriever, but too many of tho volleys were not decisive. Most of the match was conducted from the baseline. However, it was Butler who went for tho not at a crisis in the closing stages of iho match, and with tho most success.

In the doubles, Stodiuau and Butler played together against Hare and Wildo, the pair with the big reputation, hard-court champions, and Wimbledon runnors-up. Hare and Wilde were not in form; even Wilde's lino service had deserted him. He lacked his decisive smashing, and was content too often with timid poking. His low volleys, his volleyer's eye, all that goes to making him a fine doubles player, were sadly wanting. Hare was in little better form, being poor on his backhand and missing opportunities. Of the winning pair, Stedman did (he deadliest work, so good was his return of service, so shrewd his lobbing, and Butler backed hi in well.

In the mixed doubles, Mine. Mathieu and Stedman met Mrs. Slrawson and Butler. I'lay started during a. break in the weather and continued in steady rain. Butler showed himself an enterprising combined player. Mrs. Strawson hit the ball well, although her mobility was limited. Stedman was steady, and Mine. Mathieu made use of the angles of the court, and this pair won the title, 6 —3, 6 —3.