LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Witness, Volume 23, Issue 2684, 23 August 1905, Page 59

LAWN TENNIS.

THE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

CONTINUATION OF PLAT.

CFeom Oub Own Correspondent.) LONDON, July 8.

When play was resumed at Wimbledon last Saturday a great deal of the ground lost through the rain of the two previous days was recovered, for nearly 50 matches were decided — a record .for the competitions, and the attendance was also the largest ever seen upon the ground of the All England Club.

The fifth round of the Gentlemen's Single Championship, all-comers' competition, was played, and in this round A. F. Wilding was defeated by A. W. Gore, the scores being B—6, 6—2, 6—2. N. E. Brookes (Australia) defeated F. L. Riseiey, 6—3, 6—2, 6—4-. In the semi-final round on Monday, A. W. Gore was beaten by N. E. Brookes, 6—3,6 — 3, 9—7,9 — 7, 6—2.6 — 2. Commenting on the play one authority on tennis observes that Brookes' victory " was obtained without the loss of a single set, although in the second set Gore at one time led with 5—2.5 — 2. The lefthander's fast American services thoroughly puzzled his opponent. The marvellous way in which Brookes picked up the ball from seemingly hopeless positions at a point early in the second set and won «t practically lost point produced some of the longest and loudest applause yet heard at the meeting." Again : " The Australian, in his match with Gore, showed the same- many-sided excellence which won him his three-set victory over Eiseley on Saturday. He was always on the ball, and showed great command of the court from all positions. His fast American service puzzled Gore all through. The latter played his usual -excellent hard driving game, and got very near winning the second set. in which he led 5—2, and again b—sb — 5 and 7—6.7 — 6. Brookes, however, was too good for him, and a° three-set victory fairly represented their relative form." The final round of the Singles Championship came off on Tuesday afternoon. This proved quite an excellent match, Brookes v. Smith, the result being quite open until a lucky net cord stroke gave Brookes, when he was. 6 games to 5, aud 40 — 15 in the last eet, ths winning point. The scores wore : I—6, 6—4-, 6—l, I—6, 7—5. Seldom, if ever, has so close a struggle been seen in the final of a championship at Wimbledon as that which on Tuesday gave Mr Norman E. Brookes, of Australia, the right to meet H. L. Doherty in the challenge round. One who was present writes : '' Brookes started off badly, Smith was placing his drives finely, and worrying his opponent's right hand (Brookes is a lefthander). The result was that Smith got the first three games off the reel, and, in spite of an effort by Brookes in the fourth game, won the set, 6—l.6 — 1. Then, setting his teeth, Brookes in his turn got the first three games of the second set, only to see Smith draw level by clever passing strokes. Bub the Australian went ahead again, and won 6—4-,6 — 4-, and, continuing his victorious career, took the first five games of the third set, helped by his fine service. Smith took the •sixth, but an especially strong service by Brookes gave him the set at 6—l,6 — 1, and the useful le-ad of 2 sets to 1. With that curious see-saw of success which is so difficult to explain, Smith now had a burst of good play. He started by serving out a love game, and, placing and playing for his openings extremely well, took the fourth tot at the same score, 6—l. And in the first part of tho final set ho held decidedly the winning position. Fought to deuce in each case, the fin=t two srames went to Smith, and the third— also a deuce game — to his opponent. Ths next two games were won by Smith and Brookes alternately, and then thr> former reached 4—24 — 2 But Brookes, undaunted and imperturbable, fought his hardest, won a game, and after another deurp game, won Smith's service, and equalised, following this up by a fine service, which gave him the lead at 5—4-.5 — 4-. Smith made it 5 all, but his opponent again took the advantage game. Then happened one of tli-s vagaiics of the n-am<?. which has of ton given rise to discusolan. but which.

has seldom had so weighty an .effect on thy issue of so important a match. Smith waa serving, and the score was 30 — 40. A drive by Brookes hit the net cord hard, struggled over, and just trickled to the ground in his opponent's court. The match was over, and -the Australian was the winner of the All-comers' Singles and the first holder of the new Rer>shaw Cup. It was a splendid match, and there was httle to choose between the two men on the day. The Smith who knocked out Holcombe Ward a week ago would ha\e beaten the Smith of yesterday. Brookes, soo, was not quite so sure, not so good in his length — where length is wanted — as he can be. But, of course, he was incomparably more hustled than he has been yet." Brookes is to meet H. L. Doherty this afternoon. La->t Saturday a'so saw the conclusion oc Round 2 in the Doubles Championship. Allcomers' Competition ; m Round 3 N. E. Brookes and A. W. Dunlop (Australia) beaft J. M. Flavelle and H. A. Kitson (6—2, 6—2, 6—l), aud S. H. Smith and F. L-. Riseiey defeated A. F. Wilding and H. A. Parker (7—5, 6—3 6—2). I am informed tha,t "Smith and Riseiey defeated Wilding and Parker before an immense galleryWilding did not put up nearly such a good gpme as he did against Simond and Ritchie. He hie a lot of overhead -stuff out of court. If ho wruld put his forehand cut service on to his overhead work and throw his body at it i.t would improve his smashing very much. Parker has not yet fotmd his forehand drive, nor is he smashing so well! as he generally cloe-s. I have never seen him so much below his ' home ' form^-beth as regards accuracy and brilliancy." In. the semi-final round on Monday the event of Larnpd and Clothier against Brookes and Dunlop (Australia) was left unfinished with the c cores <6—4,6 — 4, 6—o, 2—6,2 — 6, 5—5)5 — 5) in favour cf ths latter pair. The game was played out next afternoon, and the Australians were tJie victors ; the fourth set was replayed, and Australia scored 6—l.6 — 1. I am told thafc Dunlop was very clever, and scored repeatedly by good volleying, while the sound service of Brookes was again most useful. On Thursday, however, the Australian players were bea>eu by three sets to one iv the Final Round by S. H. Smith and F. L. Rioeley. Riseiey and Dunlop played well, but neither Brookes nor Smith produced his real form.

In Round 1 of the Ladies" and Genetlemen's Open Doubles. Mr A. W. Dunlop (Australia) and Miss fl. Lane defeated Mr H. A. Parker (New Zealand) and Miss Stawell Brown. 2—6, '6— 4-, 7—5. Mr A. F. "Wildine: and Miss E. W. Thomson bea* Mr E. W. Timmis and Miss C. H. E. Meyer, 6—4, 6—B, 6—l. In the Third Round, which was played on Monday, Mr "Wilding and Mi«s E. W. Thomson were successful against Mr T. D. Steward and Miss A. G-. RaiKome. 6—o,6 — 0, 6—l,6 — 1, and in Hio Semi-final Round on Tuesday Mr Wilding and Miss E. W. Thomson beat Mr Adams and Miss Boothby, 6—o, 6—o. Yesterday afternoon, however, Mr Wilding and Miss Thomson were defeated in the Final Round by Mr A. W. Gore and Miss C. Wjlscn by two sets to none. " After watching the Doubles Championship it is impossible, " says the Daily Telegraph today, "to retain much use for mixed doubles — < even a final between Miss Thomson and Wilding and Miss Wilson and Gore."