LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12424, 19 April 1926, Page 11

LAWN TENNIS

N.S.W. STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS ANDREWS LEADS IN SEMI-FINALS RAIN STOPS PLAY By Telegraph.—F~ess Assn.—Copyright (Received April 18, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 18. The New South Wales tennis championships were continued yesterday in showery weather, the start being delayed owing to the soft state of the courts, as the result of heavy rain during the night. Some matches had to be postponed. In the semi-final of the men’s singles championship, F. Halms had a decisive win over L. E. Baker, in three straight sets. His placing and backhand work were too much for Baker. The scores were B—6, 6—4, 6—2. The other semifinal match was between J. "Willard and E. A. Andrews (N.Z.). The court was very soft, and it became much churned up, and the players, although using spiked shoes, had difficulty in keeping a foothold. Willard was unable to adapt himself to the conditions, and played erratically. Andrews placed his shots with much more judgment, and won tho first set, 6—3. When in t.he second set, with Andrews leading at 3—2, play was abandoned for the day, on account of the rain. In tho final of-the women’s championship of New South* Wales, Miss Boyd beat Mis.*i Akhurst (holder), 4 —G, 62, 6—o. Miss Akhurst was well below her usual fo*m. AUSTIN DEFEATED ENGLAND’S NEW HOPE BRUGNON HIS CONQUEROR, Renter’s Telegram (Received April 18, 5.5 p.m.\ TORQUAY, April 17. In the final of the British hardcourt championships, Jacques Brugnon (France) beat the 19-year-old Cambridge freshman, H. IV. Austin, who is regarded as England’s new hope, 7 4—6, 3—6, B—6, 6—3. Miss Joan Fry beat Mrs Watson, •6—l, 7—9, 6—l.