GREAT FIGHT FOR PLACES

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1926, Page 15

GREAT FIGHT FOR PLACES

TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS TOURNAMENT AT AUCKLAND. 9 CHIEF MATCHES DESCRIBED. (By Wire—Special to News.) Auckland, Last Night. The fight for places in the semi-finals of the men’s and ladies’ singles quickened the interest in the New Zealand lawn tennis championships, which were continued at the Stanley Street courts to-day. Although the outcome of the matches in the men’s singles was according to the general expectation, E. 1). Andrews (Palmerston Nortlr) was under the shadow of defeat in the fourth set of the match against Noel Wilson, who covered himself with distinction by defeating Norman Peach on the previous day. Andrews played erratically, netting and out-driving frequently. Wilson, on the other hand, after losing the first set, played like a book and captured the next two. Andrews was excessive in his caution, but was clearly nonplussed by the steady accuracy of Wilson.

Wilson led in the fourth set 5— 4, 7—6, and on one oeeasion required only two points for the match. Andrews seemed to be in distress, but the strain had also told on Wilson, who could not drive home the advantage and Andrews •took the set at 9—7. The spell revived Andrews, who came back to his best form and captured the last set comfortably, the score being 6—3, 3—6, 3—6, 9—7, 6—l. Sims and Bartleet, the two leading Auckland players, had a very even match, Bartleet winning 4 —6, 6—l, 6—2, 2 —6, 6—3. The rallies were long, both players keeping steady pace on their shots. Bartleet occasionally flashed out with speedy drives, but these did not worry Sims unduly, and Bartleet had to come back to medium paced shots. There was little between the players. Sims often worked his opponent out of position by clever placing, but Bartleet usually chose these moments to bring off some spectacular shots. Bartleet finished the stronger of the pair. Sims has had little practice and failed to stand the gruelling contest so well. There was little in the match in which North defeated Wallaec 6 —3, 6 —3, 6—l. Both played mainly from the baseline, but the Australian was always master of the situation and was not unduly extended. Age told its tale. SPECTACULAR TENNIS. Haege played spectacular tennis to defeat McCausland 6—3, 6—4, 6—l. Haege covered the court well and made freouent dashes to the net to glance off pretty angle shots to the baseline. His overhead work was very clean and his mid-court smash was delightful. McCausland kept well back, specialising in deep driving, which had Haege racing from corner to corner. Haege made some wonderful returns, but was frequently caught by a "double boss” drive to the same corner. North plays Haege tomorrow and Andrews will meet Bartleet. Although the popular supposition is that Haege and Andrews will meet in the final, both have hard fights in the semi-finals. Bartleet is particularly dangerous, and Andrews will need to be at the top of his form to beat him. Mies Speirs, the present lady champion, has not been troubled in the eliminating rounds. She meets Miss Watson (New South Wales) in the semifinal, and the contests should be close. Mrs. Melody, the 1924 champion, has encountered little opposition. She plays Miss Howe (Wellington) in the other semi-final. In the men’s doubles, North and MeCausland defeated Peacock and Wilson, last year’s champions, after five strenuous sets. The winners drove at Peacock’s feet and generally mixed their game well. Wilson was less accurate than usual. A highly spectacular game was that in which Haege and Malfroy vanquished Seay and Andrews 6—4, 6 —4, 1 —O, 75, in a contest in which all four players were at the top of their form. Haege was the central figure. His smashes from the middle of the court were deadly, and he revealed himself as the cleverest of the quartette. At times all four players came into the net, and there were some exciting four-cornered rallies, with the ball in the air all the time. Seay and Andrews played to Malfroy’s backhand in an endeavour to equalise the sets to two all. The games went to five all, but Haege and Malfroy drew ahead and ran out to win. By defeating Mrs. Melody and Miss Speirs in the third round of the ladies doubles, Misses Knight and Colebrook (Auckland) succeeded in reaching the final round. The winners put up a good exhibition and, playing better all-round tennis, worn 6—3, K—6. Both Mrs. Melody and Miss Speirs made frequent errors and some of their returns were admirably suited to the superior net play of the opposing pair, especially Miss Knight, who smashed with rare vigour.