CROWD THRILLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22948, 28 January 1938, Page 14

CROWD THRILLED

MEN'S SINGLES MATCH

A. D. BROWN AVERTS DEFEAT

KEEN FIVE-SET ENCOUNTER

If ever a champion was in dancer of losing his title before reaching the. semi-final stages of any event it was A. D. Brown, of the Eden and Epsom Club, who was compelled to produce his best tennis in the fifth set to withstand a strong challenge by his clubmate. J. T. May son, in the third round, or quarter-finals, of tlio men s singles yesterday. The players occupied the court for just oil three hours during their gruelling encounter. • The 'match was brimful of interest for the spectators, as, although Brown won the first two sets, he had to fight hard for every point. Brown was leading 5—3 i n the third set and had match point when a decision went against him. otherwise the match would have ended there for a win for Brown in straight sets.

This and another unfavourable decision in the following set appeared to put Brown off his game and he dropped tho next two sets. When Mayson ran to a 3—l lead in the final set, it looked as though the champion would have to acknowledge defeat. It was at this stage, however, that Brown rallied and gave the crowd a sample of his real ability. Desperate Battle

He commenced a desperate uphill battle and sustained his effort in such brilliant fashion that he lost only one more game. Whether 011 tho baseline or at the net he was deadly accurate, and his fine all-round display won him much applause.

Brown's court covering was very speedy and his positional play excellent. Except during the interval when he lapsed into over-driving and netting errors, ho gave a high-class exhibition. His driving on either hand was almost invariably deep into the corners, while his volleying and overhead work at the net were equally meritorious. Mayson must be given great praise for the part he played in such an exciting match. Certainly he had the advantage of knowing the champion's play, but all the same his all-round display was very praiseworthy. Many of his straight passing shots down the sidelines and much of his volleying were brilliant. The crowd showed its appreciation of the players' efforts at the conclusion of the match. Superior Stamina J. W. Gunn started off well against N. F. Bedford, of Wellington, by winning the first four games. He led s—l5 —1 before Bedford had- settled down. The visitor drew up to 4—o, and then Gunn clinched the set. Gunn tired badly in the next two sets in which ho won but one game in each. The Aucklander played much better after the interval, but, after leading o —l and having set point at 5—2, he lapsed once more, and a disappointing match went to Bedford. N. G. Sturt and A. W. Allen had an interesting duel, which went to the former in four sets. Sturt won the first two by steady and heady play. He was content to leave tho more spectacular touch to his younger opponent, whose service was particularly severe on occasions. This was evidenced by the fact that in the third set he acecl Sturt four times to take a love game. Allen's play showed that all he lacks is experience to attain great heights. His backhand yesterday was weak because he did not hit the ball properly with it. He did little more than tap, with the result that the ball usually found the net. Allen also lacked judgment by staying so much on the baseline after ho had driven the ball hard and deep into his opponent's backhand. Allen has a devastating service which lacks consistency at the moment. Ooombe Loses a Set

Very steady and accurate play, especially on the backhand, won for J. Roach the first set of his match against the Davis Cup representative, D. C. Coombe. Realising that he was faced with stronger opposition than anticipated Coombe was compelled to exert himself in the next two sets which he won with the loss of but one game in each. Roach came out refreshed after the interval and he made Coombe fight hard for all the points the latter won. Coombe, however, was able to use his experience and courtcraft to take an advantage fourth set and the match.

DOUBLES MATCHES JOHNS AND KNOTT DEFEATED COUNTRY PAIR SUCCESSFUL The doubles matches held the attention of the gallery until a late hour, and the frequency of the outbursts of applause showed that the. onlookers appreciated the highlights in the play. The Lees brothers, from Matata, were responsible for the elimination of A. C. Johns and L. G. Knott, who had unexpectedly defeated A. I>. Brown and J. T. Mayson the previous day.

Johns and Knott won the first two sets and then lost a very hard-fought third set which ran to advantage. The Lees brothers won both sets after the interval by a similar margin, 6 —4, 6 —4. It was a good match to watch. The winners displayed nice teamwork and combination. Although Johns lobbed with judgment and with full length, R. R. Lees hit some beautiful winners off them. The !>ees brothers owed their success to brilliant smashing and placements, Johns being caught on the wrong foot several times. Knott volleyed consistently throughout.

J. W. Gunn and N. G. Start were not seriously troubled by R. Matuschkn and L. Roach, while D. C. Coombe and A. C. Stedman won in straight sets from A. W. Allen and A. D. Clow. P. E. Potter and W. E. Butler, who were successful at the end of a four hours' match the previous day, were again participants in a long-drawn-out contest which ended in semi-darkness in favour of their opponents, J. Roach and D. Livingstone, of Hamilton. Misses N. and M. Beverley, holders of the ladies' doubles title, won in straight sets from Misses V. Brown and J, Bubb. All four played well, the deciding factor being the strong work at the net of Miss N. Beverley. The match between Misses M. Maofarlane and R. Taylor and Misses M. Hall and E. Stewart was keenly contested, there being many long rallies. The pairs were set-all and 5-all before the first-named clinched matters. There was also not a great deal in the meeting between Misses M. Glenny and E. Plummer and B. Griffiths and J. St. George, the former couple being a little steadier than their opponents. N. G. Sturt and Mis's M. Macfarlane, winners of the combined doubles event on three former occasions, won in straight sets from M. T. Wilson and Miss E. Stewart. An entertaining exhibition was provided by J. W. Gunn and Miss M. Beverley and J. C. Charters and Miss R. Taylor. The former pair won the first sot with the loss of but one game, but from then on every point had to be fully earned. After losing the second set Gunn and Miss Beverley were successful in a hard fought fourth.