TENNIS IN CEYLON

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19512, 10 June 1933, Page 14

TENNIS IN CEYLON

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES Play of New Zealanders After playing in the international match against Ceylon, E. D. Andrews and A. C. Stedman took part in the Ceylon championships, the former being successful in annexing the singles title, and with Stedman the championship doubles. The following is an interesting account of the New Zealanders’ play in this championship taken from the “Times” of Ceylon.

“When it was announced that E. D. Andrews would be participating in the Ceylon championships, those who had seen him in action when he visited Ceylon last s'ear, welcomed his decision to break his journey at Ceylon on his way to Wimbledon. But not only had Ceylon the pleasure of having Andrews play in the local championship matches, for accompanying him was Alan Stedman, who also has been a winner of the New Zealand championship. It was the first occasion on which Stedman was seen in Ceylon, and the New Zealand pair have taught Ceylon lessons which should be valuable.

“For years past the Ceylon champions have been exponents of the chop shot, but the visitors proved how far more effective driving is. Throughout their triumphant progress at the meet both Andrews and Stedman gave superlative exhibitions, with driving as a first degree method of attack against any type of opponent. Andrews proved beyond doubt that he is in a class above what Ceylon has produced till to-day, and it is noteworthy that he did not drop a single set until he met Nicholas in the final. Apart from his

superior stroke play Andrews gave a demonstration of remarkable foot work. No matter where he brought off a return there he was positioned in easy poise to execute shot after shot with perfect body balance. He was undoubtedly a worthy winner of the singles title, and his association with Stedman provided a combination which, though slightly lacking in perfect understanding, nevertheless was too powerful for any Ceylon pair. Nicholas and Pinto have established themselves as a doubles pair possessing all the attributes which produce champions, and they put up a plucky display against indomitable opponents. But they were surprised by the New Zealanders’ supebr rallies which could not be excelled.

“In the semi-final Andrews defeated Stedman and accounted for S. O. Nicholas in the final.

“Never before in the history, of the lawn tennis championships of Ceylon has such a treat been afforded as that which the largest gathering seen since the inception of the meet had the privilege of watching to-day when E. D. Andrews produced something like the form which has more than once taken him far at Wimbledon. The spectators had resigned themselves to the defeat of Pinto, the holder of the title, by Nicholas and thronged round the court anxious to catch glimpses of the greatness of Andrew’s. Since the tournament began there has been a difference of opinion as to who was the better player, and Andrews proved beyond doubt that he is greatly superior to Stedman.

In the previous singles matches Andrews played only as well as it w T as necessary to do, but to-day he gave an exhibition which will live long in the memory of those who had the fortune of witnessing it. He proved master of the situation, and, although Stedman fought back valiantly, he was battling against a player whose powers of anticipation were extraordinary. Now and again Stedman brought off drives which left even Andrews standing, but these were rare, compared with the numerous occasions on which he ■was completely beaten by the tactics which Andrews employed in a masterly manner. Practically throughout, Stedman hugged the baseline, but Andrews had a knack of coming halfw’ay up and volleying across the court in delightful style. “The final between Andrews and Nicholas was played before a record gathering including the Governor and Lady Thomson. Andrews won in straight sets, and the match, though producing some long rallies, was not as

spectacular as it was expected to be. Both relied on driving from the base line, and, as a duel of placing, the match will be hard to beat. Andrews proved himself master of strategy. He worried Nicholas with deep drives to both corners, but the Ceylon player gave a good account of himself, making returns which seemed almost impossible to get up to.

“Neither appeared to be inclined to force the pace in the first set, and Andrews took it after fourteen games had been played. The New Zealander was master in the second set, and kept on attacking in the second set, Nicholas being able to take only the third game, in which his opponent served. The third set saw Andrews establish a lead of 4-2, but Nicholas drew level at 5 all. Andrews then clinched matters, winning Nicholas’s service easily, and took his own service, in which he doublefaulted twice, for the match.

“Pinto and Nicholas, holders of the men’s doubles title, had to acknowledge defeat at the hands of Andrews and Stedman by three sets to one in the final. The New Zealanders combined better than they had done in previous matches, and the Ceylon champions were outplayed, although they struggled valiantly against players whose individual brilliance proved tho deciding factor. When .Andrews and Stedman led by two sets Nicholas and Pinto resorted to lobbing, and met with some measure of success, Andrews and Stedman being uncertain of their overhead play. Nicholas and Pinto took the set at 6-4, but Andrews and Stedman smashed brilliantly in the fourth set for the match, 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

“Pinto gave a good account of himself, his volleying being his particularly strong point, but Nicholas was not playing up to his usual form. Andrews and Stedman led, 8-0, in the first set After this all Nicholas and Pinto could do was each to win his service game, and the set ended in favour of Andrews and Stedman, 6-2. There was nothing spectacular about the second set, in which Andrews and Stedman played tennis of a high order, but Nicholas and Pinto put up a stubborn fight in the third set. They held a point lead until 3 all, but Pinto lost his service in the seventh game. lobbing their way through Pinto and Nicholas won the

next three games for the set. All Pinto and Nicholas could do in the fourth set was to win the first and fifth games. Andrews was the dominating figure on the court, and he gave a scintillating display in the last two games. His hurricane drives left his opponents standing, while his work at the net was brilliant.”