TENNIS AT WIMBLEDON

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16377, 27 June 1927, Page 9

TENNIS AT WIMBLEDON

COMMENTS ON PLAYERS. ABSENCE Cl’ 1 SUZANNE. (N.Z., and A.P.A., and Sun.) LONDON, June 24. Suzanne Lenglen's absence from Wimbledon has not left an appreciable mark on tho box office receipts, though it has robbed the tournament of much that may be described as “theatrical.” Her obvious successor m personality is Senorita E De Alvorez, whose tennis is as Spanish as her mannerisms and smile. The unexpectedness of tier play makes up to a certain extent for the absence of Mddle. Lenglen s thrilling fireworks. Though up to date she lias only appeared ,iu one inconsequential match, Miss Helen Wills remains exasperatingly dour. The spectators gave her a great. reception, bat she walked off v.ithoiit the slightest recognition. Miss Ryan gets thinner at each tournament, but is invariably cheerful, with a word for her opponent at every changeover, conveying the impression that with her tennis is after all a game, not the serious business the majority of tho Wimbledouites make it. Elio is tho only woman wearing a sleeved sweater. Mrs. Godfree thus far has provided the only splash of color, with her royal blue hair band and stockings. The remainder of the competitors are attired in plain white. Tilden is imperturbable and aggressive. He inspects tho court 'carefully and has a curious way of drawing his arm across his face as ho changes, while his funny little smilo is focussed on the umpire and spectators when lie misses. He had the French boy Boussus in a veritable state of terror. Tho daintiest player of the whole tournament is Miss Eileen Bennett, who was still fresh at the close of her terrible battle with Miss Helen Wills. Borotra is the comedian of the crowd, and perhaps the most 'popular player. He keeps the spectators amused throughout the whole match. MISS NUTHALL’S TRIUMPH. Miss Betty Nuthall is, of 'course, the most outstanding performer. Experts declare her skill in the match against , Mrs. Mallory sufficient to beat even Suzanne Lenglen. Her brilliant entrance into tho final eight was gained at the expense of a moro experienced, yet less resourceful, player. Tho fact is that Mrs. Hill had to play the gamo Betty decreed. No girl ■n her teens has ever shown at Wimbledon such vicious, skimming drives. Side to side Mrs. Hill followed them till she was so wido out of position that she was powerless to get near a cunning half court drop shot or a flashing shot down the side line. It remains to be seen whether her stronger rivals next week will permit Betty to call the time, or whether they will "set it off her underhand, lopspin service, which is really harder than it looks. Betty to-day was chosen for the British team against the American women. Latest results are :

Four round, men’s singles, Lacoste beat Condon, 6—o. 6—3, 6-—3; Borotra beat Cecil Camubell, 6—3. B—6, 6—o, 6—l; Kozelus beat Greig, 6 —4. 3—o (retired through knee trouble); dimmer beat Philcox, 6—3, 6 — 2, 6—o. In the ladies’, fourth round, Miss Wills beat Miss Coldstack, 6—l, 6—3. In the men’s doubles, second round, Higgs and Lester beat Kehrling and Kleiiiscliroth, 4- 6, 5—7, 6—4, 6—2, 6—3.

In the third round, Tilden and Hunter beat Colonel Gayes and Sununerson, 7—5, 6-2, 6-3. In tho mixed doubles, Hunter and Miss Ryan beat Crolc-Rees and Miss Haydon, B—6,8 —6, 6—3; Tilden and Mrs. Mallory beat Collins and Miss Joan Fry, 6 —2, B—6; Loudiy and Mdlle. Cousin beat Mayes and ’Miss Contrast ravlos, 6—o, 4_6, 6—4; Raymond and Miss Heine beat Higgs and Mrs. Covell, 6—4. 6—4; Sherwell and Miss Valentine beat McAlquham and wife, 6—4, 6—4. In the ladies’ doubles, third round, Miss Heine and Airs. Peacock boat Miss Bouman and Airs. Satterthwaite, 6-4), 6—4. In the second round Joan Fry and Peggy Saunders beat Fraulein Aus ; sem and Fraulein Frielebeu, 6—o, 6—l.