PERRY DEFEATS HUGHES

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1934, Page 7

PERRY DEFEATS HUGHES

FIRST TIME IN DOMINION RESULT OF EXHIBITION TENNIS. GAME PLAYED AT WELLINGTON. HUGHES SHOWS SPLENDID FORM. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The highlight of to-day’s exhibition tennis matches at Miramar played by the visiting English team and the New Zealanders, D. G. France, C. Angas and Miss D. Nicholls, was the singles between F. J. Perry and G. P. Hughes, won by Perry B—6, 7—5. This was the fourth contest between the two players in New Zealand and the first that Perry has won. It was a first-class exhibition, closely fought all the way.

The Englishmen combined in doubles against France and Angas and won a spectacular match after losing the third set and being'pushed to 7—5 in the second. The Wightman Cup pair, Misses Dearman and Lyle, played a doubles with Misses Round and Nicholls, which was abandoned when the latter were leading 4—2 in the third set. A combined doubles, France and Miss Dearman versus Angas and Miss Round, was also played and resulted in a win for the former pair 6—3 in the third set. The day was perfect for tennis, the slight southerly wind being no inconvenience. There was a large crowd present.

The game between Perry and Hughes was mainly a baseline duel. Neither player made the net his constant objective, and on the few occasions when they did go in Hughes was usually the more successful, Perry’s excursions to the net frequently resulting in his netting a volley.

Hughes’ ground shots were functioning perfectly. Stroking with a very long follow-through, he used under-spin on tile ball at times, and Perry could take no liberties. He had to withstand a continual attack on his backhand and he was given a minimum of chances to exploit his famous forehand drive. His backhand, however, stood up to the ordeal excellently, and there were some very long rallies with both players seeking their chance to outwit the other with a judiciously placed shot. As a result the match ’provided a fine display of stroking and, though played at a fast pace, steadiness rather than spectacular brilliance was its main feature. In both sets Hughes established an early lead of 3—o, but he could not hold it once Perry had settled down well into his stride, though the score was 6-all in the first set and 5-all in the second set before the winner ultimately asserted his superiority. Hughes played a splendid game, matching spin against speed, and Perry had to exercise astonishing control over his flatly-hit shots to win.