THE NEY ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3487, 11 January 1921, Page 37

THE NEY ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

AUCKLAND, January. 3. Beautiful weather prevailed for the New Zealand tennis championships to-day. The ground was fast, and the presence of the Davis Cup competitors lent additional interest to the carnival, which attracted players from a-ll over the dominion, as well as from the Australian clubs. Tilden and Washburn (America) and O’Hara Wood and Patterson (Australia) competed in the Men’s Championship Singles, and all won their first match. A feature of the morning play was the defeat of Mrs Llodges, of Remuera, who last year won the ladies’ championship. She was accounted for by Miss V. 7 . E. Curtis (Petone), who displayed exceptional brilliancy at the net, and pulled the last and deciding- set off when she was facing a deficit of three games. January 4. The New Zealand tennis championships were continued to-day before 1000 spectators, play being particularly interesting by reason of the fact that tho visiting champions were competing. Tilden met Patterson in the singles championship. Patterson gave his opponent some very sti games, but Tilden won comfortably 6 —3, 6-3, 6—l. In the doubles champion ship Tilden and Johnston beat O’Hara Wood and Heath 9—7. 6—B. 6—2, 6—4. This afternoon the match which aroused great interest was the meeting between Brookes and Patterson and Washburn and Hardy. The game resulted in a win* for Australia after a five-set match, 4—6, 5—7, 6—2, 6—4, 6—2. January 5. The New Zealand Tennis Championship tournament was continued to-day. . The most interesting game of the day was that between O’Hara Wood (Victoria) and Marsh (New South Wales). After a. sparkling game Wood won the set 10 -B,' B—6 6 —2. Laurenson (Auckland) showed good form in the match with Washburn (America), the crack American player having to go to four sets to beat, the local man 6 4, 10 8. 9 —ll, 6—3. The match thus ran to 57 games. The other overseas players easily disposed of the local men as folloys: —Tilden and Johnston beat Laurenson and Griffiths, 6—o, &—6. 6 —3 ; Brookes and Patterson beat Robison and Page, 6—l, 6—2, 6—2,

AMERICANS WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS. AUCKLAND, January 6. The New Zealand tennis championship meeting concluded to-day, tire American players annexing both the singles and the doubles. Tlie semi-finals of the Men’s Singles were played on the Davis Cup courts this morning, and resulted as follows : Tilden (America) defeated N. Peach (N.S.W.), 6—l, 6—3, 3—6, 6—3. Washburn (America) defeated P. O’Hara Wood (Australia). 6 —4, 4—6, 6—3. In the final Tilden defeated Washburn, 6—o, 6—l, 4—6, 4—6, 6—3. V ashburn extended Tilden fully before he won tho match, which went the full five sets. Washburn’s invariable steadiness and ability to take most of what Tilden put over was the principal feature of the game. In the final of the Doubles Championship Tilden and Johnston (America) defeated Brookes and Patterson (Australia), 6 —4, 6—l. 6—B, 6—4. This match was marked by brilliant tennis, which, however, was not as hard as that seen during the Davis Cup. Brookes and_ Patterson showed better form in comparison with their opponents, and gave them a hard fight throughout. The title of lady champion of New Zealand was won by Mass Nancy Curtis (Petone). who early in the tournament showed pood form when she defeated Mrs S. C. Hodges (Remuera). last year’s champion. Mrs S. C. Hodges and Miss Marjorie Macfarlane (Remuera), winners of the ladies’ championship doubles last year, were again successful. They had a fairly easy win against Mrs J. Ufarchbanks and Mrs •I C. Peacock (Wellington) in the final. The junior championship was won by Miss A. Howe (Wellington), who had a walk over in the final owing to the illness of Miss Marjorie Potter (Auckland). . The boys’ championship singles resulted in a win for I. T. Seay (Timaru). who defeated G. N. F. Goldie (Wellington), last year’s champion! Following are the results:—MEN’S SINGLES. Semi-finals—W. T. Tilden (America) beat K Peach (N.S.W.), 6—l. 6—3, 3—6, 6—3. ; W. Washburn (America) beat P O’Hara Wood (Australia). 6—4, 4—6, 6—3. Final.—'W. T. Tilden beat W. Washburn 6—o, 6—l, 4—6. 4—6, 6—3. MEN’S DOUBLES. Semi-finals.—N. E. Brookes ' and G. L. Patterson (Australia) beat-A. G. Wallace and C. J. Dickie (Taranaki), 6—2, 6—l 6-2; W. T. Tilden and W. M. Johnston (America) beat N. and F. Peach (New South Wales). B—6, 6—4, 6 —4. Final. W. T. Tilden and W. M. Johnston beat N. E. Brookes and G. L. Patterson, 6 6—l. 6—B. 6—4. LADIES’ SINGI.ES. Semi-finals.—Miss B. Knight (Eden and Epsom) beat Mrs C. J. Marshall (Eden and Epsom), 4 —6. 6—4 6—2; Miss N. E. Curtis (Petone) beat Mrs W. J. Melody (Wellington), 6—l, 6—o. Final.—Miss Curtis beat Miss Knight. 7 6—o. LADIES’ DOUBLES. Final.—Mrs S. C. Hodges and Miss Marjorie MaoFarlane (Remuera) heat Mrs .T. C Peacock and Mrs J. Marchbanks (Wei lington), 6—3. 6—o. COMBINED DOUBLES. Semi-Finals.—Miss N. E. Curtis (Petone) and Dr P. E. Allison (Wellington) beat Miss w. Payton and V. E, Page (Remuera). 6 —l, 6—l: Mrs S. O. Hodges (Remuera) and P. O Tiara Wood (Australia) won from Miss D. Kenderdine (Eden and Epsom) and W. Washburn (America). In- default. I*inal. Miss N. E. Curtis (Petone) and Dr P. E. Allison (Wellington) beat Mrs S. C. Hodges (Remuera) and P. O’Hara Wood (Australia). 9 —7, 6 — 2. BOVS’ SINGLES. Final.—l. A. Seay (Timaru) beat G. N. T. Goldie (Wellington), 5—6, 6 —3, 6 —3. GIRLS’ SINGLES. Semi-Final—Miss A. Howe (Wellington) beat Miss B. Witherow (Auckland), 6 —l, 6 —l. Final.—Miss A. Howe (Wellington) won from Miss M. A. Potter (Auckland), by default.