MEN’S SINGLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27276, 30 December 1949, Page 6

MEN’S SINGLES

McKENZIE’S EASY VICTORY Special to Daily Times . CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 29. McKenzie played superb and powerful tennis to beat Bold with the greatest of ease with the loss of only six games in three straight sets. It was expected that Bold would fully extend McKenzie after his fine victory on Wednesday over the New Zealand champion, J. E. Robson, but on the day he played just as well as he was allowed. McKenzie played ruthlessly and gave his opponent no time to settle down—the right tactics to use against Bold, who is at his best when the match is prolonged.

Bold dropped his service in eight games and won four, and of the total points he won 55 to McKenzie’s 88 — a good idea of his opponent’s accuracy. Even Bold’s usually reliable forehand let him down.

Playing brilliant but steady tennis, Miss Mac Gibbon beat Miss Beverley in two sets to retain the Canterbury Women’s Singles title. Both players were content to rally from the baseline with an occasional journey to the net. At times Miss Mac Gibbon took her eyes off the ball, and she lost points through this error, but in a game of baseline rallies she kept a wonderful length and varied her pace extremely well. The New Zealand Doubles champions, Robson and McKenzie, had an easy win over the Auckland pair, Burns and Barry,"in a match which provided all the best in tennis. Robson and McKenzie piled up points on the overhead play, both making some powerful smashes to all parts of the court.

Playing more correct and enterprising tennis, Misses Beverley and Robertson had a comfortable win over the title holders, Mrs Hatherley and Miss T. Poole, in the Women’s Doubles championships. The winners were much more confident at the net and varied their play cleverly.