LAWN TENNIS. CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS TOURNAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2756, 9 January 1907, Page 33

LAWN TENNIS. CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS TOURNAMENT.

"<(Peb United Pbess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 31 The a Australasian and New Zealand 'championship lawn tennis tournament was continued .to-day in splendid weather, and with the courts in fine order. Good progress is being made with the championships, but some handicafp events are still rather backward, owing to the inevitable - overlapping of matches. Results : — UEW ZEALAND MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. Second Bound. • P. M. B. Fisher beat C. G. White, 6—3, «— B, 6—2, 7—5. Third Bound. A. Wilding beat E. Salmcad, 6—o, 6—3, Salmond retiring. B. Heath beat F. M. B. Fisher, 6—l, 8-6,. 7^-5. * iNEW ZEALAND LADIES' CHAMPION- . SHIP SINGLES. • Third Bound. Miss Nunneley beat Miss Wais 6—o, 6—2. Fourth Bound. Miss' Baker beat Miss Williams, 6—o, 3—6, B—6. ' Mies-' Nunneley beat Miss P.owdrell, 6-r4, 9— 3. > MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES. Second Bound. Wilding afld Heath beat B. S. and S. W. Brown, &-% '6^-4, 6—3. 0 1 Third Bound. Cox and Parker beat "White and Salmond, 6—2, 6—2, 6—3. Wilding . and Heath beat Harman and Borrows, 6—2, 6—3^ 6—4. Final. Cox and Parker beat Wildiug aiid Heath, «— i, 6—4, 6—3. LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIP' DOUBLES. _, Second Round. Mrs Payne and Miss Gray beat Mrs Ballanxityne and Miss Baird, 6—4,6 — 4, 6—l.6 — 1. Misses Travers and Ward beat Misses Fiizhardinge and Lindeman, 6—4,6 — 4, 6—2.6 — 2. COMBINED CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES. First. Bound. Miss Baird and A. D.Cox beat Miss LindeJnan and Dunlop, 6—4,6 — 4, 6—2. Second Bound. Miss Travers and Brqwn beat Miss Simpson and Young, 6—l,6 — 1, 6—3.6 — 3. Miss Nunneley and Fisher beat Miss Hay and Pearce, 6—l, 6—3. Misa A. Gray and W. Goss beat Miss > Lindeman and Dunlop, -6—l, 7—5.7 — 5. January 1. Together with the championship events the Interprovincial Championship of the colony was decided. The result was that Wel&pgton won the banner, Canterbury being second. The pointe scored were as follow:— Men's Single* (six points), winner A. F. Wilding (Canterbury)— six points to Canterbury ; Ladies' Singles (four points), winner Mks K. M. Nunneley (Wellington) — four points to Wellington ; Men's Doubles (five points), winneri T. A. Parker (Sydney) and C. C. Cox (Masterton)— two points and a-half to Wellington ; Xadke' Doubles (three- points), winners Mis>s K. JI. Nun-neley-(Wellington) and Mi*s Baker (Sydney) — one point and a-half to Wellington; Com-bined-Doubles (three points l , winners A. F. Wilding (Canterbury) and SIU« L. Powdtcll (Tarauaki) — one point and a-half to Canterbury a%d one point and a-haJf to Taranaki. Totals: Wellington 8 pointe, Canterbury 7£, and Taranaki U.

* January 2. j The lawn tennis Australasian champion- j ship meeting concluded yesterday, the re- i suits being as follows: — I NEW ZEM.AND CHAMPIONSHIP i MEN'S SINGLES. Semi-finals. H. A. Parker beat K. Heath, &-3, 6-3, A." F. Wilding beat G. Aitken, 6—l, 6—2, 6—3. „ , Final. A. F. Wilding (Canterbury) .beat B. A. Parker (New South Wales), 6—4, 2—6, 6—3, 6—l. ' LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES. Fourth Bound. Miss Nunneley beat Mi3s Powdrell, 6—4, . 6-3t „ , ! Final. Miss Nunneley beat Miss Baker, 6—2, 6—o. LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES. Third Round. , Misses Powdrell and Campbell beat Mrs j Payne and Miss Gray, 6—4 6—2. Misses Nunneley and Baker beat Misses Travers and Ward, 6—o, 6—o. j Final. j Misses Baker and Nunneley beat Misses j Powdrell and Campbell, 6— 4, .6—l. » COMBINED CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES. • Third Bound. - J Miss A. Gray and W. Goss beat Miss Txavers and -Brown, B—6,8 — 6, 7—5,7 — 5, 6—l.6 — 1. j Final. i Miss Powdrell and Wilding beat Miss Gray j and Goss, 6— «, 6—o. ] MEN'S HANDICAP SINGLES. First Grade. Third Bound. F. M. B. Fisher (rec. 15) beat W. H. Kiver (rec. 15), 6—l, 6—3. „. Fourth Round. i F. M. B. Fisher (rec. 15) beat C. G. White (rec. 15 3-6), 6—3, 6^2. - A. D. Cox (red 15 3-6) beat W. F. Slowman (rec. 15 3-6), 6—4, 6—3. Final. F. M. B. Fisher (rec. 15) beat A. D. Cox (rec. 15 3-6), 6—l, 6—l. MEN'S HANDICAP SINGLES. Second Gradz. r Final. T. Colthart (rec. 3-6 16) beat M. Bell (rec. 151, 7—5, 4—6, 6—4.6 — 4. MEN'S HANDICAP^ SINGLES. Third Grade. j Final. M. Gillon (rec. 3-6 15) beat T. Clarkson (rec. 3-6 15), 6—2, 6—o. LADIES' HANDICAP SINGLES. First Geabi. Third Round. . : Miss Batham (rec. 3-6 15) beat Miss Travers (owe 151-6), 3—6, 6—l, 6—l. i Fourth Bound. Miss Nunneley (owe 40) beat Miss Batham (rec. 3-6 15), 6—o, 6—l. Final. Miss Nunneley (owe 40) beat Miss Ward (owe 151-6), 6—l, 6—o. LADIES' HANDICAP SINGLES. Second Grade. Fourth Round. Mis« Stewart (rec. 15) beat Mrs Wagg (rec. 4-6 15), by default. Miss Holmes (rec. 15) beat Miss Bridger (rec. 2-6 15), 6—l, 6—3. v Final. Miss Holmes beat Miss Stewart, 6—3,6 — 3, 6—2.6 — 2. MEN'S HANDICAP DOUBLES. Fifth Round. Griffiths' and Nicholson (rec. 8-6 15) beat F. Wilding and P. S. Wilding (scr), 2—6, 6-0, 6—2. - Perm and Ranford (rec. 15) beat Delamare and Beere (rec. 3-6 15), 6—2, 3—6, 6 — *. x Final. - I Griffiths and- Nicolson beat Perm and Ranford, I—6, fr— 4, 6—4. LADIES' HANDICAP DOUBLES Fifth Round.' Miasea Batham and Yon Staver«n beat Misses Davies and Callender 6—3, 6—3. Mrs Cooper and Miss Williams (owe 30) beat Misses M. Simpson and A. Marks (scr), N I—6, 6—4, 6—o. Final. Misses Yon Staveren and Batham (scr) beat Mrs Cooper and Miss Williams (owe 30), 6—3, 6—l.6 — 1. COMBINED HANDICAP DOUBLES Fifth Round. •Miss Gray and Sellar (rec. 15) beat Miss i annm and Steadman (scr), 6—4, 6—2. i >»r Mis !lv Mwks ftnd Brown (rec. 3-6 15) beat Mies Todd and White. 6—4 6—o - , r . „ Final. Mi £9 Gray and Sellar (rec. 15) beat Miss Marks and Brown (rec. 3-6 15), 6-3 6—3 INTERCOLONIAL LADIES' SI\ T GL,P<? <^/n el xf fi beat meß Baker iSS'^ mss FifzhaSge^wT. <SS Z-6-Z -6-l bCat MISB FltZ(Y I SW W V T', (K r Z I beat Mi£B Lindeman U>-o.\V.), 6 — S (retired). (XziS^M 11 ( X -S.W.) beat Miss Ward INTERCOLONIAL DOUBLES Misses Nunneley aud Powdrell (N.Z.) beat Misses Baker and Fitzhardinge (N.S.W.), 6—o. , M j s "? .Baker and Fitzhardinge (NSW) io-8, e 1^ 3 Ward and Tla * ers "*•• V s '-^ Mieses Nunuelpy and Powdrell (N Z ) beat •Misses Lmdemau and Baird (X.S.W.), 6—3, SoT,tn Sl W a g\ Zealand ' ? match " ; X *"\ NOTES OX THE PLAY. (From Our Own Correspondent) j CHRISTCHURCH. December 31 i A good -tart was made with the tournament tins morning The weather ZV quit « tr °I» c fJ «»'! the attendance wa* Urge Tho pubbc was treated to some be expected, as the semi-finals are within sight and naturally the Vst playei* are left to fight out the finishes. « hite, the Otago champion, started off tho da.y s play in the Singly Championship with F. M. 13. Fisher. Although it was not expected that he would win still he put up a splendid fight. He lost the first stt, 3 -6i but got to work in the second, and .<=ecitTed it, 8-6. Fisher was taking things easy, anticipating a comfortable win, but his opnonont meant to make him go for it, arid he succeeded. The third set went to Fisher, 6 2. and likewise the fourth and the final. 7 -5. White did not play up to his best form, but probably this was on account of his having to play in "better company. Heath, in turn, won against Fisher in tliFee sets straight. Heath's play wa-s much admired. > He has a very, deceptive , drive.. It goes to the off wheu it appears

to go to the on. Fortunately for Fisher, the off drives came on to his forJhand. As he is a left-hander he got them back, but so feebly that Heath punished them severely. The first set he took rather easily. He had to fight for his second on«. At one stage he was 5—2.5 — 2. Fisher by brilliant ground work reached 5 all, and then 6—5.6 — 5. Heath equalised matters, and then ran out, B—6.8 — 6. The third set was again 'hardly fought for, and 5 all was reached after some brilliant rests. Then Fisher weakened, giving a love game away, and failing to return Heath's drives in the final game. j In the Ladies' Championship, semi-final I round, Miss Powdrell was pitted against Miss Nunneley. These two ladies always give an interesting game, and the present was no exception. The* former lady got four games in the first set and three games, in the second. TKe rallies were long and exacting. Miss Nunneley was forced to run from side to eide. Miss Powdrell is very" agile, and picked up some wonderful balls. She has a very nsee late drive which just skims the net and lands well down on the back line with very little bounce. A great battle- .was fought between Cox and Parker and Wilding and Heath to decide the New' "Zealand Championship Doubles during the- afternoon. The match was unfortunately- ro-bbed of a certain amount of interest owing to Wilding suffering from a strained ankle. Heath also had played a good deal in the morning, and was consequently tired. It will be "remembered that these players met in the final of the Australian Championship, when Wilding and Heath came out on top comfortably. The decisien was reversed on this occasion, however, the losers on the previous occasion getting right on to their game and winning right out. Parker was playing better in this match than he has played throughout the tournament. His smashing was very decisive, and his placing was all that could be desired. Cecil Cox was very weak on his forehand, striking the net repeatedly. But when he reached the.net, he was in his element. He is one of the prettiest anil neatest volleyere one could wish to see. The ball had occasion to cross the net a dozen times before some; rests were decided. Wilding not get over the - court in his accustomed style, aad therefore had to depend largely on Heath's support, and, as Heath was tired, he could do no more than, his own share. It was rather disappointing that the match was not played on even condition". In the Combined Championship a good game was that between Miss 2Cunneley and Fisher and Miss Hay and Pearce. Miss Hay is a strong player, and drives nicely to either side. Pearce was driving very hard, but hey hits everything in «a good-natured fashion, and , never looks as if he wanted to win. He is a capital loser. ,, His. long smashing is perhaps his best shot. Although they- did sqme good work the other side won, 6—3,6 — 3, 6—l.6 — 1. Gray and Goss now meet Mias Travers and Brown, and Miss Nunneley and Fisher meet Miss Powdrell and Wilding, and the winners meet in the— final. It is hard to predict the winners, ' but probably the latter two pairs will decide the finieh. The Ladies' Cliampibnship Doubles will "be decided to-morrow. Misses Powdrell and Campbell are almost* certain to*, meet Misses Nunneley and Baker at the finish. The former ladies are the present holders, and they will be hard to beat, as Miss Oampbell gets everything back, while Miss Powdrell does the winning shots. In the Handicap Singles (First Grade) White plays the winner of the match between Fisher and Kiver, and the winner I plays Cecil Cox in the final. | Colthart and Bell play bff in the final of the F.econd Grade Singles. Clarkson meets Gillon in the Third Grade Singles. Miss Nunneley has to meet Miss Batham j in the semi-final of the First Grade Singles, and the winner meets Miss Ward (of Wellington) in the final. Miss Batham received 3-6 th of 15 and disposed of Miss Travers in two sets to one. The latter lady had too heavy an impost, and could not catch up on her oppouent. She won the first set, but lost deplorably in the remaining two. Another stage in the Ladies Australian Match was got off. Misses Nunneley and Powdrell met Misses Liudeman and Baird, and won in a decisive style by two sets. straight. The Australian ladies were • not in the same class as their opponents, and were beaten on e'-ery point of the game. Both the local ladies drove brilliantly down, the centre of the court ami along the side lines. A few of the Dunedin representatives are coming out well in the handicap events. I and it i« quite on the cards that some will , como oufon top". January 1. The New Zealand and Australasian tour- I nament was resumed this morning. The i conditions were 6imHar to those enjoyed on the previous days, and the attendance was again large. Some excellent tennis was witnessed. Without doubt, the best of it was seen in the final of the Now Zealand Cha-ii- j pionehip Singles between H. A. Parker (tho \ present champion) and A. F. Wilding Uha j champion of Australasia and t ho holder of i se\eraA English championship). This pair { met three days ago in the Australasian | final, when Wilding went on< in three c!ea> - ' sets. On this occasion Parker improved wonderfully, and gave Wilding the bt>t game he has had during the tournament, j Wilding started sarvinpr. and took the fhbt j throe games Parkor failing to get .into his ' stnVle. Parker, by nice short driving. | secured tho next two. then each player, won j game about, Wildmer making one net lovf. 1 In the second set Wilding wo.s awarded the ■ fiiot two games, chiefly on his forced dri\ - ' ing and \olhing. t.h^n ho went off for a j f-pell, lo^inp* the next mx. in succession? Packer at thrs stage never playpd better. . bea'tincr Wildinsr clown the sde lin-rs and I scroes the 'court. It was the finest M»t j dur.nsf tho match. The third sot started by j Park»r winning the first game lo\e. Then Wildmfj took a hand, and kept Koirig until j five game-, went to his credit. Parker got . to "40 all" on several occasions, but earh i time lost the winning- strokes. Ho addol the next two prames to his score, and then Wilding completed the sot, 6—3. During this ?et Parker was finding the not rat-hor I frequently In the fourth set. which \ia« j the deciding one, 'Wilding seemed 4° ha^° things a.U his own way. and finished 6—l. and ihe championship of Now Zealand for 1907 was hw. Parker had all the worst of tho umpiring, the line umpire giving decisions aarainst him several times at vital points of the game. .He has held this championship for the past four yeaj*

The champion court was wearing- yery T badly, and t>eat the players again. - The final of the Ladies' Qhampionehip Singles was a very poor display, Miss Nunnerley demonstrating her superiority right through. Miss Baker tried running up, but the New Zealand lady places too well for that to have any effect on her. The sefs were 6—2, 6—o. In the final »et Miss Baker only won four strokes. The final of the Ladies' Doubles Championship was won by Missee Nunneley and Baker. Mies Pawdrell was driving "very well, passing Miss Baker at the-*et nicely I and reaching the back line, but the long ' interchanges were usually between "MissNunneley and' Miss Campbell, the result ' being that the former hela out the longest ' and Miss Campbell returned a weak stroke. The combined semi-final was decided between Miss Nunneley and Fisher and Miss Powdrell and "Wilding, and provided the finest combined work one could wish to see. Wilding is a magnificent exponent of this "class of game, and was like *a stone wall to his opponents, rarely allowing anything to pass him. lie was very ably assisted by his partner, whose backline play was one of the chief featjlres. The result wa*-6-3, 6r7-3 in'Mis.s. Powdrell and Wilding's favour. Fisher did well when he- got the chances, but he got* very few. .Miss Nunneley was right oft her game, and showed the wdrst' 'form she has shown during the . tournament. She couldn't get her drive over the net. Wilding- seened to intimidate her. The final' with Mi£s Gray ahd Goss was a very poor display, two sets (6— IJ, 6— 4)) being registered by Wilding and Miss Powdrell. Fisher beat Kiver this morning in the fourth round of the Handicap Singles in ' two sets. Then he was again victorious against White (Otago). He waS on about the same mark as White, but wate too easily dealt with by the handicapper. He is too resourceful for the Otago champion. White runs himself to a standstill after useless balls,' where more experienced players save themselves by leaving them alone. The final of this event was between Fisher and P. H. Cdx, and was a gift for the former, Cox only getting a game in each set. Colthart (Canterbury), receive 3—6, 15, in the Second Grade Singles beat Bell (Wahganui), receive. 15, by two sets to» one. Colthart is a very attractive player, and really should have ,been. owing instead of receiving. Gillon and Clarkson fought out the final of the Third Grade Singles, the former I winning decisively, 6—3, 6—o. ! The only first prize going to Dunedin is I iif the Ladies' Doubles x - Handicap, Miss Holmes winning from Miss Stewart (also a Dunedin player). Miss Holmes has been* playing very eteadily in her games. * Miss Nunneley won tKe Ladies' Handicap Singles from owe 30, beating Miss Ward, 6.— 1, 6 -Q. Miss Ward showed great weakness in her back hand, the place Miss Nunneley / places her favourite shot. The whole tournament was . completed to-day in good time. Dr Nedwill. in presenting the prizes at the* end of the day's play,- remarked on the wonderful success pf the tournament, in every department. He went on to state that the spectators ha 3 been afforded the best display of tennis every seen in New Zealand, and they were very grateful to Messrs * Wilding, Heath, a-ud Parker for their efforts in this direction. Each winner on receiving his or her trophy was applauded to the echo. " =!=^*\