LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11874, 7 July 1924, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS

ENGLISHWOMAN CHAMPION MISS McKANE BEATS MISS WILLS IN THRILLING GAME. CHEERED TO THE ECHO. Bv Telegraph.— Press Assn.—CoDyrisht. 'Renter's Telegram (Received July 6, S.S p.m.) LONDON, July 6. Miss Kitty McKane (England) won the lawn tennis championship, defeating Miss' Helen Wills (U.S.A.), 4—6, 6—4, 6-4. The match was thrilling. Only indomitable will and courage enabled Miss McKane to make a wonderful recovery ag'ainst the brilliant hard-driving American. Miss McKane lost the first set, and was I—4 in the second. She then won six games funning. Fifteen thousand spectators cheered her to the echo. After that Miss McKane was inspired, hit harder than ever, and volleyed superbly. Miss Wills played wonderful tennis. Her backhand was invulnerable, but this was countered by the British woman's clever anticipation, net play, and side, line shots

Miss McKane is the first English woman to win the championship for many years. Mdlle. Suzanne Lenglen held it for five years in succession, but after winning three matches this * ypar retired, under medical instructions. Last year she, met and defeated Miss McKane in the first round, and in the final trounced Mrs Mallory, who was then the American champion, 6—2, 6—o. Miss Wills, who is a Californian girl, is reckoned one of the most brilliant players the United States has produced. She won the American title from Mrs Mallbry, and had then to vanquish Mddle. Lenglen in order to win the title of world's best player. The French tennis genius having retired, Miss Wills’s prospects were bright, and Miss McKane’s victory therefore acquires additional merit.

THE DOUBLES

SOUTH AFRICANS BEATEN. BRILLIANT AMERICANS. Reuter’s Telegram. (Received July 6, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 3. In the men’s doubles championship at Wimbledon— R. N.r Williams and Watspn Washburn (U.S.A.) defeated Randolph Lycett and L. A. Godfree (England), 4—6, 32—10, 6 —3, 7—7. The English pair retired. Vincent Richards and F. T. Hunter (U.S.A.) defeated L. Raymond and P. I>. B. Spence (South Africa), 6—4. 6 —4. 6 — 2. Williams and Washburn were always slightly better than the Ehglish pair, though Williams really carried .them through. Lycett excelled in remarkable saves and splendid close volleying, though towards the end he rather overdid it by poaching. Otherwise it was his best display at tho championships. He strained his ankle in attempting to retrieve a ball, but continued in one game, though' m great pain, and was then compelled to retire. Godfree was good, both in his service and his overhead work. The South African pair was beaten but not disgraced. Raymond’s weak ankle was again a handicap. The South Africans, however, hit hard and volleyed splendidly. Richards was the star of the match, and frequently left the South Africans standing in the middle of the court as the result of his drives. Hunter was safe and accurate. ALL-ENGLAND PLATE. In the All-England Plate, Hillyard Upland) defeated Willard (Australia), The court, after a fortnight’s hard Play* and overnight rain, was in a deplorable condition, and owing to Site deadness Willard was unable to bring off the ground strokes which hitherto had been a feature of his game. MIXED DOUBLES. In the semi-finals of the mixed doubles championship, Godfree and Mrs ShepherdBarron beat Max Woosman and Mrs Co veil, 6—4, 4—6, 6—4. J. B. Gilbert and Miss McKane beat Lamb and Miss Harvey, 6—2, 6 4. HUNTER AND D'ICHARDS WIN: IVlAeraTn. (Received July 6, 11.5 p.m.) T ~ . , LONDON. July 5. In the final of the doubles Hunter and Richnrds (U.S A.) beat Williams and Washburn (U.S.A.), 6—3, 3-6, 6—lo, B—6 .? re Y 0" “citing interlude in fclie fourth set. Washburn and Williams wore soverely punishing their opponents, and had only their own service game to win for the championship, hut at a cru-cial-point Williams doufblo-faultod, and “towards failed to recover his form. \\ ash burn was ivca< in tho opening games, but afterwards his backhand volleying wa« a feature cuf the game. OTHER REBULTB AMERICAN LADIES WIN. the dual of the ladies’ doubles Miss Mills and Mrs Wightmnn (CJ.S.A.) beat Miss McKane end Mrs Covell (England), o— i>. . The play was generally unworthy of a final. The Americans were the harder hitting pair. The Englishwomen were better in the second set, but failed at a critical moment. MISS McKANE AGAIN.

In the mixed doubles J. B. Gilbert and Miss McKane (Englandl beat L. A. God-

free, and Mrs Shcpherd-Barron, 6—3, 3—6. 6—3.

The winners displayed fine tactics, keeping tho play out of the hands of Godfree. Consequently Mrs ShepherdBarron- got tho brunt of tho attack, and ehe was overwhelmed, despite her- game response.

BOROTRA CHAMPION

LACOSTE BEATEN IN FINAL. STUBBORN *TVEI SETS. Neuter's Teleeram. (Received July 6, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 5. For thj final <lay of the championships at Wimbledon the weather was fine and cool after rain in tho morning. The spectators packed the stands. In the single final Borotra (France) beat Lacoste (France), 6—l, B—6, 6—l, 8— 6, 6 —4. Borotra was speediest in following his service up and cut his returns in a spectacular manner. Lacosto countered with effective lobs, and) fought gallantly against his more experienced opponent. He drew level in tho fifth set by stub-' born and led 2—l, 3—2, and 4—3. Then Borotra evened the score and won the next two games, smashing superbly.