THE TENNIS SINGLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26198, 8 July 1946, Page 6

THE TENNIS SINGLES

PETRA BEATS BROWN

MATCH FULL OF THRILLS LONDON. July 5. In a match full of thrills. Yvon Petra, of France, defeated Geoff Brown, of Australia, in the final of the singles championship at Wimbledon. The match went the full five sets, lasting 56 games. Brown fought back splendidly after losing the first two sets, and the result was in doubt to the last. Brown’s cannon-ball service at first was not working as well as in recent matches, and Petra broke through to gain set-winning advantages in the first two sets. In these sets Petra hurled down a terrific first service and took the net at every opportunity. He used the drop shot with rare accuracy, and altogether was in brilliant form. s . . Showing magnificent fighting spirit, Brown rallied in the third set and served with terrific speed. Petra did likewise and the games went with the service to 7-all. At this stage it was a ding-dong struggle, in which both players reached great heights. Brown finally broke Petra’s service in the sixteenth game for the set. Again in the fourth set the service of both players was a dominating factor, but there were also some breathtaking rallies. Petra led 5—3, but the Australian, with grand serving and driving, won four games in a row to take the set. Petra had two match points at 5—4, but Brown, with blazing forehand drives, won the vital points. Brown got away to a bad start in the fifth set. Petro broke through his service to lead 2—o. The French giant still playing remrakable tennis and cracking down tremendous services, held the advantage to lead 4—2. Petra won many points by taking the net. Brown won one of Petra’s services, but, leading 5—4, Petra served in the tenth game, and with a flashing ace raced to 40—0 lead. Brown then outed a double-hander to give the Frenchman the set and match. . The spectators wildly cheered both players for a magnificent game Petra who was mobbed, was kissed on both cheeks by enthusiastic French supporters. He said: “ The final was one of the hardest matches I have ever played. lam full of admiration for the gallant fight Brown put up. He is a very hard man to beat.” Brown, in a tribute to Petra declared- “ Petra played a magnificent game. He kept a cool head when I picked up during the third and fourth sets. He was just too good for me to-day. That service of his is terrific. The following are the results:— Men’s Singles Final

Petra beat Brown, 6—2. 6—4. 7—9, 5—7. 6—4. 5 Women’s Doubles Semi-finals

Misses Brough and Osborne beat Misses Todd and Bundy 6—4, 6—2. Misses Betz and Hart beat Miss Bostock and Mrs Menzies 3—6, 6—3. 6 —4.

Mixed Doubles Semi-finals

Tom Brown and Miss Brough beat Hopman and Miss Osborne 6—3, 6—3. Geoff Brown and Miss Bundy beat Patty and Miss Betz 12—10. 6—2.