MEN'S SINGLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 17

MEN'S SINGLES

FINALISTS FOE TO-DAY' A. D. BROWNE AND COOMBE GOOD SHOWING BY BEDFORD Play in the match between Brown and Sturt opened quietly, but livened when Brown saved th.e third game with some amazing drives and volleys. He ran Sturt all over the court to obtain a lead of 3—l. Both played some brilliant shots in tho fifth game, but Brown kept up a relentless pressure and his severity caused Sturt to drive out. Sturt had a brilliant spell in the second set, when his cross-court driving, clever variation of length, short chops just over tho net, and deep lobs, accurately placed, enabled him to successfully counteract his opponent's net attack. The slower pace in this s§t appeared to suit Sturt. The third set was a love one in favour of Brown. Sturt continued to play steadily, whereas Brown was not afraid to go to the net on all possible occasions. Brown's overhead smashing was brilliant and gave his opponent no chance. Stroking Controlled Sturt won the first two games in the fourth set, but, with splendid allround tennis, Brown drew level. After 3-all had been called Brown took tho net three games on end and with them the match. Both mixed their shots well, from flat drives to others with • top and back spin, combined with variation of length. The players controlled their stroking admirably. Sturt won applause for saving three match points at 5—3. The New Zealand champion, D. C. Coombe, had to fight hard in tho last two sets to defeat N. F. Bedford, of Wellington, who played spells of brilliant tennis in the five sets. Bedford won the first set without dropping a game, the severity of his drives and net shots giving Coombe no chance to retaliate. The second set saw Coombe rally strongly, mixing his shots admirably and making very few mistakes. He served at a fast pace and generally forced Bedford into errors. After being down 4—2, Coombo's change of tactics was completely successful, and he won four games running to take the set 6—4. Goombe's Confidence Bedford was again dominant in the third set, repeatedly forcing Coombe out of position and clinching the point with decisive smashes and placements. Coombe won only one ganie. After the interval Coombe opened with complete confidence, going to the net at every opportunity to take the first two games. Play evened up when Bedford found touch again, and the next half-hour produced the finest tenuis of the match, with fine stroking and very long rallies. Coombe's service and his' storming of the net were the decisive factors in tho later games and eventually gave him the set, 8 6. _ Coombe quickly ran to 3 —love in tho final set, Bedford being careless with his return of service and his backhand driving. He then rallied strongly and for a period took charge. At 5 3 Coombe served two aces for match point and won the match shortly afterwards, when Bedford netted his return of service.

DOUBLES MATCHES CHAMPIONS WIN EASILY GUNN AND STURT IN FORM A. C. Stedman and D. C. Coombe had little difficult.win beating J- ttoach and D. Livingstone in a semi-final of the men's doubles, although the losers gave a better account of themselves than the score would indicate. lho winners' overhead work was too good for that of their opponents, and Stedman's service proved difficult to handle. Roach and Livingstone netted many of their volleys, but played their best tennis in the second set, when excellent volleying and smashing came from all four players. . An equally clear-cut victory went to the winners of the other doubles match, J W. Gunn and N. G. Sturt. This pair disposed of the Lees brothers, of Matata, in straight sets. The losers made a fight of it in the second set and excellent combination helped Miss Taylor and Miss Macfarlane to defeat the present holders of the ladies' doubles title, Misses N. and M. Beverley, in two sets. Miss M. Beverley was not at her best after having played in several previous matches, and she and her sister netted many smashes at critical stages of the match.. Miss Taylor proved herself a fine doubles player, and placed her shots to the best advantage, while Miss Macrarlane's generalship was of great assistance to the winners. The Beverley sisters made a fine uphill fight m tho first set, but their opponents, having won the first set, made few mistakes in the second. , „ r . The other semi-final saw the Misses P Cooke and B. Ij. Bishop, who shortly before had contested a strenuous match in the ladies' singles, defeat Misses M. Glenny and E. Plummer in straight sets. The winners showed fine combination and wero never seriously clialThe semi-finals of the combined doubles saw J. W. Gunn and Miss M. Beverley recover well from a 2—l deficit to win the first set from 11. I). Sharpe and Miss M. Glenny, 7—5. In the second set Gunn and Miss Beverley gained an early lead, to win fairly comfortably. . _ Tho other senn-final, between IV. G. Sturt and Miss Macfarlane, and D. Livingstone and Miss M. Hodges, went to the former pair after an interesting match, sturt and Miss Macfarlane ran quickly into a s—o5 —0 lead, hut their opponents fought back strongly to win three games in succession. The second set was also evenly contested and, although the result was not seriously in doubt, Livingstone earned freqOent applause for his court coverage and overhead work, while Miss Hodges revealed very strong driving powers.