TENNIS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18580, 14 December 1934, Page 7

TENNIS

VICTORIAN TOURNEY STEFANI BEATB HUGHES (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 13. At Lite tenuis championships to-day, in the men’s singles, quarter finals, Crawford defeated Malcolm, 6—o, 6—o, 6—3; Stefani defeated Hughes, 6 —4, 4 —6, 6—3. In the. women’s singles, Miss Dearman defeated Miss Macfarlane, 6—2, 6—2. In the mixed doubles, Turnbull and Miss Hartigan defeated {fusset and Miss Woodward, 4—6, 6—3, 6—4; Qnist and Miss Lyle defeated Clemenger anW Miss Bellamy, 6—2, 6—l. In the men’s doubles, semi-finals, Quist and Turnbull had a walk-over against Perry and Hughes. So strenuous was the match between Stefani and Hughes, that Hughes blistered bis hands and wanted a postponement of the semi-final of the doubles. ; This was not agreed to. Perry and Hughes, therefore, forfeited the match. Stefani gained an early lead in the singles, his ground strokes being better controlled than Hughes’, who was unable to reach the net. Although he fJiad two splendid chances in the third critical stages, Hughes could not Clinch the points. Stefani’s top spin returns were devastating. Crawford was too strong for Malcolm. Owing to the heat of the day, . Crawford obvioirtly was trying to end life''

the match as soon as possible, and in this he was successful.

PROFESSIONAL CONTESTS OPINION IN ENGLAND LONDON, Dec. 13. The Daily Mail says that the Lawn Tennis Association is conducting a confidential inquiry into the probable effect on Wimbledon attendances of further secessions from the amateur ranks. It has sent a memorandum to debentureholders asking their opinion regarding the public’s attitude if Perry, Austin, iind leading Continental players adopted professionalism, and consequently were unable to participate in the Wimbledon championships. One leading debenture-holder declared I that Wimbledon would no longer he a successful commercial proposition. The public would not support a tourna- ! mertt in which there' were second-rate players. Association opinion is divided. The “diehards” throw up their hands in horror at the idea of an open championship at Wimbledon, while others spe the writing on the wall and are prepared to bow to the inevitable.