SPLENDID ENTRY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19827, 3 January 1939, Page 7

SPLENDID ENTRY

N.Z. TENNIS TOURNEY NO EARLY SURPRISES BROWN IN GOOD FORM (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The pick of the Dominion's tennis players turned their steps towards Wilding Park this morning, when the first series of matches in the Dominion championships were played. The tournament, which , will continue until next Saturday, has drawn a splendid entry and in addition to all the present title-holders two leading Australian women (players are competing. Despite the fact that the courts received a thorough soaking during the past week, they were in splendid order to-day. The conditions were very sultry when a start was made with the men’s singles this morning. Later a brisk breeze sprang up and was welcomed by both players and spectators. The first results brought no surprises. A. D. Brown, who is defending his title, easily accounted for C. B. Beatron, his general all-round stroking and severity from the net giving the Nelson man comparatively .few opportunities. J. W. Gunn, who slumped so badly in the Canterbury final, was in his best form against the young Cathedral club player, P. D. McGregor, to whom he conceded only one game. B. J. Kelly, who played in the junior championships last season, went down to C. Angas, although he battled hard all the way. His retrieving and driving were very good, but Angas lured him to the net and there he had no chance against the best volleyer in the Dominion. , , The first five-set match of the tournament was played by A. R. Cant and M. Ferkins. Cant eventually prevailed, although at one stage when he was making many mistakes he was down two sets to one. N. F. N. Bedford won comfortably enough from the young Canterbury player, Burke, and N. V. Edwards, winner of the Wellington singles title earlier in the week, entered the third round at the expense of another last season’s junior, R. J. Donkin. The two-handed stroking of S. Watson had the Victoria College representative, N. A. Morrison, in trouble In a match which produced some keen rallies. Watson won in four sets. Results: — Men’s Singles First Round.—J. W. Gunn d. P. D. McGregor, 6—o, 6—l, 6—o; G. T. Mayson d. L. Morris, 6—2, 6—4, 3—6, ft—4- A. R. Cant d. M. Ferkins, 6—2, 2—6 2—6, 6—4, 6—l; F. H. Renouf d. C. Robertson, B—6, 6—3, 2—6, 6—l; RV. Robb d. W. V. Hobin, 6—4, 6—2, g !• B. E. Souter d. D. Livingstone, 7 _ 5 ; 4—G, 6—2, 6—2; K. G. Pattinson d. R.’ M. Ferkins, 4—G, 6—4, 6—2, 6—3; J. Roach d. R. HaTne, 6—4, 4—6. '■ 2, B—6; F. C. Falconer d. E. 11. Orbell, I—ft, ft—3, g—o, I —C, B—C; M. J. Conich d. W. D. Hodgson, 6—2, o—l, 6 — l. Second Round.—A. D. Brown d. C. B. Beatson, G —o, >6 —3, 6—o; N. F. Bedford (A) d. A. Burke <C>, 6—2, 6—l. 6—o: N. V. Edward's d. R. JDonkin, 6—4, 6—4, 6—o: Angas d. B. G. Kelly, 6—2. 6—3, 6—4; S. Watson d. N. A. Morrison, 4 —6, 6 —2, 6 3, 6—2; N. G. Sturt d. J. R. Crawshaw, 6—3. 6—l, 6—o. Women’s Singles First Round.—Miss B. L. Bishop d. Miss M. Sexton, 6 —o, 6 —l.