LAWN TENNIS

Southland Times, Issue 22217, 9 January 1934, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS

DOMINION TITLES MEN’S SINGLES TO MALFROY AUSTRALIANS TAKE DOUBLES (Per United Press Association.) , Christchurch, January 8. The New Zealand lawn tennis championships concluded at Wilding Park to-day in the best weather of the tournament. It was a crowded programme with 13 important matches to decide, hut the arrangements worked perfectly and a big gallery saw many exciting contests. The outstanding event was undoubtedly the final of the men’s singles championship in which the brilliant volleying and daring attacking methods of C. E. Malfroy triumphed over the steadiness and artistic stroke equipment of the Australian C. Sproule Both had shown fine form in their semi-final engagements in the morning. Malfroy defeated the other Australian C. Donohoe in four hard fought sets full of great rallies and tense incident, and Sproule eliminated Andrews fairly easily in three sets. This easy victory was the surprise of the tournament, but Andrews did not appear to have the necessary fitness and Sproule’s spinning shots often left him helplessly out of position. The final went to five sets and it was fast and enthralling tennis of the highest standard. Malfroy was troubled, as Andrews had been, by Sproule’s chops and cuts and could find only one solution—the net attack hard and often, even at the cost of errors and mishits. The plan succeeded and, with the crowd applauding both men impartially, Malfroy rose to Borotra-like heights to carry off his first singles championship. It was a wonderful performance against such a sound and unpr-rjurbable opponent. The men’s doubles championship was won easily by the Australian pair Sproule and Donohoe after four sets against a very tired Malfroy and A. Seay too prone to errors, though Donohoe’s freshness and vim was really the deciding factor. Miss Bickerton, first ranked player of the New South Wales visiting ladies’ team, won the singles title, beating Miss Valkenburg! New South Wales) 6—3, I—6,1 —6, 6 —3. Miss Valkenburg made a strong stand and at one time looked like winning, but Miss Bickerton recovered well and deserved to win.

Misses L. Bickerton and N. Hall, who had already beaten the title-holders, Mesdames H. M. Dykes and R. L. Adams, won the final of the women’s doubles championship by beating Mrs W. J. Melody and Miss D. Nicholls. The combined doubles championship has still to be decided. Miss Hall and Andrews and Miss Valkenburg and Donohoe are the finalists.

Wellington province retain the Anthony Wilding Memorial Cup for most points in the championship events. The victory of Malfroy in the singles gave Wellington three points, and victory in the girls’ singles one point. Canterbury gained one point from the boys’ singles. The other junior events do not count for cup points. The results were: MEN'S SINGLES. Semi-finals. C. Sproule beat E .D. Andrews 12—10, 6—2, 6—4. E. E. Malfroy beat C. Donohoe 6 —3, 8— 5—7, 9—7. Final. C. E. Malfroy (Wellington) beat C. Sproule (N.S.W.) 4—6, B—6, 6—3, 6—B, 6—3. MEN’S DOUBLES. Final. C. Sproule and C. Donohoe (New South Wales) beat I. Seay and C. Malfroy 6—l, 6—o, 3 —6, 6 —o. WOMEN'S SINGLES. Final. Miss L. Bickerton (New South Wales) beat Miss U. Valkenburg (New South Wales) 6—3, I—6, 6—3. WOMEN’S DOUBLES. Third Round Mrs H. M. Dykes and Mrs R. P. Adams beat Misses T. and I. Poole 6—l, 2—6, 6—4. Semi-final. Misses Bickerton and Hall beat Mesdames Dykes and Adams 6 —3, 6—l. Final. Misses Bickerton and Hall (N.S.W.) beat Miss D. Nicholls and Mrs W. J. Melody (Wellington) 6—3, 6—3. COMBINED DOUBLES. Third Round. Miss U. Valkenburg and C. Donohoe beat Miss D. Nicholls and N. G. Sturt by default. Miss M. Macfarlane and C. E. Malfroy beat Miss M. Wake and T. Rhodes Williams 6—4, 9 —ll, 6 —4. Fourth Round. Miss N. Hall (New South Wales) and E. D. Andrews (England) beat Miss N. Lloyd (New South Wales) and I. A. Seay (Christchurch) 6—3, 7 —5. Semi-final. Miss Hall and Andrews beat Miss N. M. Fleming (Masterton) and D. C. Coombe (Wellington) by default. Miss Valkenburg and Donohoe (New South Wales) beat Miss Macfarlane and Malfroy 3 —6, 6—o, 6 —3. The final will be played at a date to be arranged. JUNIOR COMBINED DOUBLES. Final. Miss D. Dickey and I. Corich (Canterbury) beat Miss S. Anderson and P. McGregor (Canterbury) 6 —4, 4—6, 6—2. LADIES’ PLATE. Semi-final. Miss D. Newton beat Miss Gould by default. Final. Miss D. E. Miller (Otago) beat Miss Newton. (Auckland) 6—4, 6 —l. NOTES ON THE PLAY. A large gallery gathered to watch the resumption of the men’s singles semifinal in which Malfroy was leading Donohoe 6—3, B—6, with the players 4—4 in the third set. Both are wonderfully accurate volleyers and again it was a keen battle to secure the net position and slam the other man out of the court. The pace was on and the tennis was spectacular, but Malfroy made a number of errors and Donohoe captured the third set 7—5. _ln the fourth set Donohoe was definitely in control. At the outset he restricted the speed of the game and frequently outplayed Malfroy or passed him coming in, to secure the lead at 3—o. Then Malfroy recovered touch and made the Australian run from comer to comer. The New Zealander went to a 4—3 lead. Hard fighting followed and Donohoe got the lead again at 6—5. Then 7_7 was called amid excitement, but Malfrpy forged ahead to secure the set 9— and the match. It had been a very even contest.

The men’s singles semi-final between Sproule and Andrews was resumed from the stage of the first set, with Sproule leading 10—9. Sproule served, but Andrews got the game and made it 10-all. Sproule /.gain ran his opponent about as much as possible, using a short angled drive and a chopped drive that troubled his opponent. He kept up the attack and took the next two games and the set, 12—10. The remaining two sets were quickly over in favour of the Australian, 6 —2, 6—4. Andrews was plainly not in bis best form and the heavy court was against his style of play. Virtually his only effective weapon to counter Sproule’s wizardry was a straight drive with every bit of his power behind it hurtled to a definite target inches inside the baseline. Too often, however, it rapped the top of the net or .was outed. There was some brisk exchanges in the third set. with Andrews showing flashes of his best form, but even so Sproule got to a 5—2 lead. Then Andrews pulled up slightly when Sproule made some mistakes and made it 4—5, but Sproule’s superiority was always apparent and the title-holder had to play second fiddle. It was Sproule’s set 6—4 and the match. Malfroy v. Sproule. The men’s singles final between Sproule (Australia) and Malfroy (New Zealand) was a brilliant five set struggle. Malfroy served in the hist game and was van out, but deuced with a clean service acc that Sproule could get nowhere near. Two errors by Sproule gave Malfroy the game. Both men took some time to settle down and Sproule’s backhand was vulnerable, particularly when Malfroy raced in after a deep drive to that corner. After two all, play speeded up with Sproule working more skilfully for position sending over some beautiful drop shots. Five times Malfroy serving was van out in the fifth game, and finally he lost it on a beautiful cross court shot that left him helpless at the net. From this Sproule advanced to a 4—2 lead. Malfroy found it difficult to maintain a volleying offensive against dipping drives on either hand, and he stayed back for a period, evening at four all, mainly through Sproule’s mistakes. In the ninth game Malfroy again lost his service. Sproule now led 5 —4 and with Malfroy temporarily weakening, easily secured the last game and the set at

Malfroy served and won the first game of the second set. The rallies were long but not particularly brilliant. At this stage the players were finding the heat oppressive under the glaring sun, in marked contrast to the bleak conditions of the previous days. The games advanced on service to four all and five all. Malfroy was applauded for a particularly delicate drop shot that answered one by Sproule and bettered it. He made some dazzling interceptions at the net, but now and again could not quite get to them and Sproule’s cut drive went skidding along the line for a winner, almost under his racquet. Malfroy led 6--5, then Sproule served. It was an important game and he got it from 40—15 after a lobbing duel that gave each man a breather. Sproule appeared to have more control and Malfroy more pace. They were very evenly matched. In the fourteenth game, with Malfroy a game ahead, the first break of service came. Sproule was outmanoeuvred and Malfroy made the set his at B—6. Sproule began the third set by capturing Malfroy’s service and held his own. Net shots pulled him up, however, and Malfroy, serving and lobbing beautifully, made it two all. In most cases it was a keen manoeuvre for position. Sproule did not mind tossing a few high ones to Malfroy, then he ripped in a hard shoulder-high drive when his opponent was in the forecourt, expecting another lob. The Australian, however, fell into errors and Malfroy, going for- everything, rose to a 5—2 lead. Sproule hardened up and took the eighth, but he could not check Malfroy’s dashing run and it was the New Zealander’s set 6—3.

Beginning the fourth set a set up, Malfroy won Sproule’s service and kept up the pressure by means of repeated net attacks to lead three love. Sproule may have been puzzled, but remained imperturbable and stuck grimly to his task. Countering Malfroy’s brilliant volleying, he won the fourth off the New Zealander’s service by searching out the corners, and did the same with the fifth and sixth, outwitting Malfroy with sharp angles and neat placements. At three all Malfroy appeared to be tiring slightly after his burst of energy in the third set and Sproule went to a 4—3 lead and later 5—4. With Malfroy serving the question was could Sproule take the tenth. He secured but two points and the score was five all, then six all. It was Sproule’s set B—68 —6 after stiff battling.

The final set began at a fast pace. Sproule won his service and Malfroy clinched the second with a sudden smash to the corner. It was two-all after the fourth which saw more brilliant volleying by Malfroy. It was his only certain way of securing a point. In the fifth Sproule lost his service and Malfroy was in the good position of 3—2. However, he lost his service and the Australian was safe for a time. In the seventh, which Malfroy won, there was the most dazzling rally of the match. Racing from side to side, in to the net and back, both players made at least four wonderful recoveries each. Malfroy led 5 —3 then Sproule served and was down 15—40. A return he could not properly reach and it was all over. Malfroy thus capped an exhiliarating display of attacking tennis by taking the set, the match and his first New Zealand championship. Men’s Doubles. When the final of the men’s doubles championship started at four o’clock, the attendance was even bigger than for the singles final, conditions being perfect. Donohoe serveij and the holders of the title, Seay and Malfroy, were quicklj' down love-three. Donohoe was particularly forcible and accurate from any part of the court. The others were restrained by comparison. Malfroy, palpably tired, made numerous mistakes and Australia held the first set 6—l.

Donohoe again dominated the second set, but Sproule was hitting them truly with clipping low shots to the gap and Australia advanced to a soft five-love lead. So far it was not a match. Seay was fair, but got no support from his partner. Even from 40-15 in the sixth game the New Zealanders faded badly. Their combination was poor and again it was Australia’s set, this time 6—o. Malfroy and Seay started with a lead of two-love in the third set and went to 4 —2 without much trouble. Seay and Sproule had bad spells. It was poor tennis. Even Donohoe’s burst of brilliance had ended and New Zealand secured the set 6—3.

The fourth set, after ten minutes’ interval, saw the players comparatively refreshed and there was an improvement in teamwork. Donohoe rocked in his first service and with the aid of two crisp interceptions, accounted for the first game. Malfroy served the second game and led 40-love. Then deuce was called eight times before the game finally went to Australia. Donohoe put three on the sideline and Seay smashed two sitters out. One exciting rally ended with Donohoe sprawling full length on the ground near the net post, completely beaten by a low twisting volley from Malfroy. Australia went off to a five-love lead, battering down the opposition. Now Malfroy served with New Zealand in a desperate position. He was down 30-40. An easy shot down the middle was missed and Australia had the match

and the men’s doubles championship of New Zealand. Women’s Singles.

In the final of the women’s singles the play was steady, with both players cautious at the outset. Miss Bickerton, driving more accurately, won the first set 6—3, but Miss Valkenburg was on top in the second, winning it 6 —l. Frequently she ran her opponent out of the court and occasionally came to the net for a winner. The match seemed to be Miss Valkenburg’s .with a 3—o lead in the final set. Neither was keeping a good length and Miss Valkenburg was more aggressive. However in the critical fourth game Miss Bickerton suddenly made a stand, steadied her game, and gained control to take six games on end, the set and the match. It was a surprising change of fortune. Women’s Doubles. In the final of the women’s doubles championship, Misses Bickerton and Hall were rested only a few minutes after their victory over Mesdames Dykes and Adams who held the title, before taking the court against Miss D. Nicholls and Mrs W. J. Melody (Wellington). Six games were divided evenly but at that stage the steadiness of the Australian pair, combined with their ability to spring a surprise shot, began to take effect and they went ahead. They won the first set 6 —3 and the second went the same way. The Australians got to 5—3 and a keen fight ensued for the ninth game. It went to deuce then a smash by Miss Hall gave the Australians match point. A smash by Miss Nicholls to Miss Bickerton’s feet made it deuce again, but the next two points were claimed by the Australians who won 6—3. They moved through the semi-final and final in four sets, being pronouncedly superior to the New Zealand players.

In the semi-finals of the combined doubles. Miss Hall (Australia) and Andrews (England) advanced to the final by beating Miss Lloyd (Australia) and Seay 6 —3, 7—5 in the third round and securing their semi-final against Miss Fleming and D. Coombe by default. They will meet Miss Valkenburg and Donohoe (Australia) in the final on a date to fie arranged. To-day in the last event of the programme Miss Valkenburg and Donohoe put out Miss Marjorie Macfarlane and Malfroy in a three set match, remarkable mainly for Malfroy’s dazzling interceptions in the opening stages. However he could not keep it up owing to the effects of three previous strenuous engagements in one day. Donohoe was in top form and was ably supported by the clever playing of Miss Valkenburg.

Previous winners of the championships were:— Men’s Championship Singles. 1886— P. C. Fenwicke 1887— P. C ! Fenwicke 1888 — P.’ C. Fenwicke. 1839 —M. Fenwicke. 1890— J. M. Marshall. 1891 — R. D. Harman. 1892— M. Fenwicke. 1893— M. Fenwicke. 1894 — J. R. Hooper. 1895— H. A. Parker. 1893—J. M. Marshall. 1897— J. R. Hooper. 1898— C. C. Cox. 1899 — J. R. Hooper. 1900— A. W. Dunlop. , 1901— J. C. Peacock. 1902— H. A. Parker. 1903 — H. A. Parker. 1904— H. A. Parker. 1905— 11. A. Parker. 1906— A. F. Wilding. 1907— H. A. Parker. 1908— A. F. Wilding. 1909— A. F. Wilding. 1910— J. C. Peacock. 1911— G. Ollivier. 1912— R. N. K. Swanston. 1913— A. G. Wallace. 1914— G. Ollivier. 1919 — G. Ollivier. 1920— W. T. Tilden. 1921 — Dr. J. T. Laurenson. 1922— Ollivier. 1923— A. W. Sims. 1924— G. Ollivier. 1925 — G. Ollivier. 1926 — E. D. Andrews. 1927— G.. Ollivier. s 1928— E. L. Bartleet. 1929— C. Angas. 1930— A. C. Stedman. 1931— C. Angas. 1932— E. D. Andrews.

Ladies’ Championship Singles. 1886— Miss Lance. 1887— Miss E. Harman. 1888— Miss E. Gordon. 1889— Miss E. Gordon. 1890— Miss J. Rees. 1891— Miss N. Douslin. 1892— Miss J. Rees. 1893— Miss M. F. Spiers. 1894— Miss K. Hitchings. 1895— Miss K. M. Nunnelcy. 1896— Miss K. M. Nunneley. 1897— Miss K. M. Nunneley. 1898 — Miss K. M. Nunneley. 1899— Miss K. M. Nunneley. 1900— Miss K. M. Nunneley. 1901— Miss K. M. Nunneley. 1902— Miss K. M. Nunneley. 1903— Miss K. M. Nunneley. 1904— Miss K. M. Nunneley. 1905— Miss K. M. Nunneley. 1906— Miss K. M. Nunneley. 1907— Miss K. M. Nunneley. 1908— Miss L. Powdrell. 1909— Miss L. Powdrell. 1910— Miss E. Travers. 1911— Miss P. A. Stewart. 1912— Miss A. Gray. 1913— Miss A. Gray. 1914— Miss A. Gray. 1919— Mrs S. C. Hodges. 1920— Miss N. Curtis. 1921— Miss N. Curtis. 1922 — Miss S. Lance. 1923— Miss M. Speirs. 1924— Mrs W. J. Melody. 1925— Miss M. Speirs. 1926— Miss A. Howe. 1927— Miss M. Speirs. 1928— Miss M. Macfarlane. 1929— Miss D. Nicholls. 1930— Mrs H. M. Dykes. 1931 — Miss J. Hartigan. 1932— Miss D. Nicholls.

Men’s Championship Doubles. 1886— P. C. and M. Fenwicke. 1887 — R. D. Harman and F. Wilding. 1888— R. D. Harman and F. Wilding. 1889— M. Fenwicke and J. F. Jardine. 1890— R. D. Harman and F. Wilding. 1891 — M. Fenwicke and A. F. Logan. 1892— R. D. Harman and F. Wilding. 1893— J. M. Marshall and P. Marshall. 1894— R. D. Harman and F. Wilding. 1895— R. D. Harman and D. Collins. 1896 — H. A. Parker and C. Gore. 1897— H. A. Parker and C. Gore. 1898— C. C. Cox and J. N. Collins. 1899— C. C. Cox and J. N. Collins. 1900— H. A. Parker and J. C. Pea1901— J. C. Peacock and F. M. B. Fisher.

1902—J. C. Peacock and F. M. B. Fisher.

1903— H. A. Parker and F. Laishley. 1904— H. A. Parker and R. Lycett. 1905— H. A. Parker and R. N. K. Swanston. 1906— H. A. Parker and'C. C. Cox. 1907— C. J. Dickie and A. G. Wallace. 1908— 11. A. Parker and Stan. Doust. 1909— F. M. B. Fisher and J. C. Peacock.

1910—F. M, B. Fisher and J. C. Peacock.

1911—N. E. Brookes and A. W. Dunlop.

1912— G. Ollivier and Wm. Goss. 1913— A. G. Wallace and C. J. Dickie. 1914— G. Ollivier and F. S. Wilding. 1919— G. Ollivier and F. S. Wilding. 1920— W. Tilden and Wm. Johnston. 1921— W. Goss and P. G. Greenwood. 1922— G. Ollivier and J. T. Laurenson. 1923 — E. L. Bartleet and H. L. Robson.

1924—E. B. W. Smyth and A. W. Fotheringham.

1925—J. C. Peacock and N. R. C. Wilson.

1926— L. G. Knott and N. G. Sturt. 1927— E. L. Bartleet and J. T.. Laurenson.

1928—E. L. Bartleet and J. T. Laurenson.

1929— D. G. France and C. E. Malfroy. 1930— C. Angas and I. A. Seay.

1931—N. R. C. Wilson and A. C. Stedman.

1932—C. E. Malfroy and I. A. Seay. Ladies’ Championship Doubles. 1886— Mrs Way and Miss Lance. 1887— Misses Harman and E. Gordon. 1888— Misses Hitchings and E. Gordon.

1889 —Misses Hitchings and E. Gordon.

1890 — Misses Hitchings and E. Gordon. 1891— Misses E. Harman and Rees. 1892— No contest.

1893 —Mrs Chapman and Miss Nichol son.

1894— Misses C. Lean and E. Black. 1895 — Misses Nunneley and Trimmell. 1896— Misses Nunneley and Trimmell. 1897— Misses Nunneley and Kennedy. 1898— Misses Nunneley and C. Lean. 1899 — Misses Nunneley and Harman. 1900— Misses Nunneley and C. Lean. 1901— Misses Nunneley and Van Asch. 1902— Misses Nunneley and Gorrie. 1903 — Misses E. F. and M. A. Gorrie. 1904 — Misses Nicholson and Jamieson. 1905— Misses L. Powdrell and A. Campbell. 1906— -Misses Nunneley and K. Baker, 1907— Nunneley and K. Baker. 1908 — Misses L. Powdrell and A. Gray. 1909— Misses L. Powdrell and A. Gray. 1910— Misses E. Travers and R. Wellwood.

1911— Misses A. Gray and E. Travers. 1912— Misses A. Gray and E. Travers. 1913— Misses A. Gray and E. M, Baird.

1914—Misses A. Gray and E. M. Baird. 1919—Mrs S. C. Hodges and Miss M. Macfarlane.

1920—Mrs S. C. Hodges and Miss M. Macfarlane.

1921—Mrs W. J. Melody and Miss N. Curtis.

1922— Misses S. Lance and N. Lloyd. 1923— Mrs W. J. Melody and Miss J. McLaren.

1924—Mrs W. J. Melody and Miss J. McLaren.

1925 — Mrs W. A. Scott and Miss M. Speirs. 1926— Misses N. Lloyd and J. Watson. 1927— Mrs R. P. Adams and Miss Tracy. 1928— Misses M. Speirs and M. Wake. 1929— Misses M. Wake and M. Andrew.

1930— Mrs W. J. Melody and Miss M. Myers. 1931— Misses U. Valkenburg and N. Hall.

1932—Mrs H. M. Dykes and Mrs R. P. Adams.