PLAYERS FROM HUNGARY

Southland Times, Issue 23308, 18 September 1937, Page 20

PLAYERS FROM HUNGARY

SPLENDID DISPLAYS

(By

SPIN)

The attendance at the matches in which Miklos Szabados and Istvan Kelen, the two famous Hungarian stars, took part was over 300 and those present were treated to a wonderful exhibition of table tennis as it should be played. The match was won by Szabados after four very interesting games, the scores being 21-13, 21-19, 15-21, 21-13. It is difficult to say which player pleased the spectators more, and it might be better to say that both players delighted everyone with their wide range of shots. The match left a feeling of amazement at the almost uncanny anticipation shown, but perhaps the most noticeable feature of the game was the wonderful footwork, which, in conjunction with perfect timing of strokes, enabled the players to attack from practically any position. Szabados showed an almost perfect defence in returning fast drives from Kelen from anything up to 15 feet behind the table, drive after drive being returned on either forehand or backhand. This stroke is played with a heavy chop on the ball and this chop counteracted Kelen’s top spin drives. For short drives close to the edge of the table Szabados has a very effective top spin shot that comes off the table with great pace. Kelen’s most noticeable shot is a backhand flick stroke that is practically impossible to return, except to a player with the wonderful ball control of Szabados. Kelen was very impressive in his doubles matches, in which his top spin drive won many points. Kelen, in the exhibition game, showed great accuracy with his full-arm drives with which he would gradually work Szabados further and further away from the table until with an accurate chop the ball would be placed by Kelen just over the net. VISITORS’ SERVICES Although both players have a variety of services they made little use of them, preferring to serve the ball over the net and then endeavour to win the point by placements. Finger-spin services are not used by these players, as they are of the opinion that such services spoil the game and in their matches they bar them. They have, however, finger spin services, but do not use them as the matches would be spoiled from a spectator’s point of view. The exhibition by these players has shown that for the modern style of table tennis the tennis grip is the only one. Commenting on the Invercargill players both the visitors said that those who use the pen holder grip should change over to the tennis grip. Again a weakness of the local players was that they did not attack enough, all playing a defensive type of game too much. Robson made quite a good showing against Szabados, but lost a number of points by chopping the service from Szabados, instead of returning it with a top spin. The result was that a number of the returns went into the net. Robson showed more variety with his services than the other Invercargill players. Loudon played a good defensive game against Kelen, returning many fast drives from well behind the table. Loudon uses a sponge rubber bat, but he would probably do better with an ordinary rubber covered bat, which would give him extra pace. Bray is a fine defensive player, but against Kelen he found the latter’s top spin drives too fast, although he made some good recoveries. Mcßride was the only Invercargill player to use the tennis grip and he made some very nice recoveries against Szabados. The visitors remain for only three weeks in this country and then return to Australia for further exhibition matches in the main centres. I am informed that they are considering re-

turning to New Zealand next year and will try to make arrangements for Barna, the world champion player, to come with them. The New Zealand Association is also considering sending a touring team through the country at the beginning of next season and, providing a strong team is sent, such a visit would prove very interesting for all players and supporters of the sport. The singles and doubles championships will be held on Friday and Saturday of next week, and as a strong team is expected from Dunedin, some very interesting matches will be seen before the winners are found.