PRE-WIMBLEDON TENNIS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12168, 19 June 1925, Page 8

PRE-WIMBLEDON TENNIS

AUSTRALIAN WOMEN SHINE MRS HARPER BRILLIANT. • <Svrtnev " t| ni" oblc ) - LONDON. . June 17. In the London, tennis championships, in the first round, Cartwright beat W. j- Melody (New Zealand), 6—2, 6—2. Mrs Colston beat Mrs Melody (New Zealand), 6—2, 6—3. Mrs R. LYcett beat Miss Daphne Akhuret (Australia), 7 —5, I—6, 6 —l. Mrs Haper (Australia) beat Miss Joan Fry, 6—3, 6—2. Australians in full force attended the matches at Roehampton, and were rewarded by a splendid exhibition of their women compatriots against one 9f the strongest teams England was able x tq, place in the field. Mra Harper, for the first time, reproduced her true form, and won by a surprisingly wide margin against one who had been regarded as the most promising young player in England. The Australian' cleverly varied her service and effectively exploited her opponents’ indifferent backhand, Miss Akhurst. handicapped by the lack of practice since her operation. played disapuointingly, and was obviously below form. Mrs Harer was formerlv Miss Sylvia Lance, who toured New Zealand two years ago, and won the New Zealand championship. THE DRAW Renter'. Telecram Following the principle adopted in 1924 at Wimbledon, the draw has been seeded, and the most fancied competitors placed in separate sections. The seeded New Zealanders are W. A. Fotheringham, Nicholson, E. Snlmond, W. J. Meiody. and Mrs Melody. In the first round of the mixed doubles. • Lamb and Mrs Harper will meet Yon Braun and Mrs Stebbing; Heath and Miss Boyd will meet GodIree and Miss Beamish. . The strongest entrants are Borotra with Mile. Lenglen, Lycett and Mrs Lycett, Washer and Miss Satterthwaite, Spehoe and Miss Colyer. The strongest ladies’ doubles entrants are the holders. Mile. Lenglen and Miss Ryan, and Mrs Lycett and Miss Colyer. BRITAIN v. AMERICA W (Received June 18. 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 17. At the Eastbourne tennis tournament Britain defeated America in tho doubles, L. A. Godfree and J. P. D. Wheatlev heating J. Hennessey and R. Casey, 4—6, 6—4, 11—9. 4—6. 6—3. Britain now leads by two matches to one.