TENNIS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19623, 18 October 1933, Page 5

TENNIS

ENGLISH TEAM’S VISIT TO-DAY’S EXHIBITION GAMES Arrangements have been completed for the exhibition matches to be given by the English tennis stars, F. J. Perry, F. H. D. Wilde and H. G. N. Lee to-day at Maori Park. The visitors, accompanied by C. Angas, the ex-New Zealand champion, will arrive in Timaru by the first express and will be accorded a civic reception outside the Council Chambers at 11.45 a.m. Timaru is indeed fortunate in having the opportunity of seeing these >AII England internationals in action for their stay in New Zealand is of short duration, the tour extending only from to-day till November 8. The South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association has made complete arrangements that the public may view the matches to the best advantage, and the court, with grandstands on either side, is in excellent order, yesterday s nor’wester having proved very beneficial to the surface. The matches will commence at 2.30 pm. with a singles exhibition between C. Angas and F. H. D. Wilde, to be followed by the match between F. J. Perry and H. G. N. Lee. Perry will then be matched with Angas in an exhibition doubles, best of 5 sets, against Lee and Wilde. The games will be played on No. 2 court, which with the additional accommodation will have the appearance of a centre court. No one will be allowed to pass behind the court during the afternoon, admission to the west stand being through a gate erected in the middle fence. Scrim has been erected around the courts and will make conditions pleasant both for players and spectators alike. Afternoon tea will be- available in the pavilion. It is likely that accommodation in the unreserved portion of the stand will be sorely taxed and those wishing to witness the matches in comfort are invited to book. The box plan closes at Begg’s at 11.30 a m. to-day, and any reserved seats not allocated will be for sale at the gate. Perry’s Record. Chief interest will undoubtedly centre in the appearance of F. J. Perry, who holds the singles title of the United States, where he defeated J. B. Crawford (Australia). For the last three or four seasons he has been one of the outstanding players in the world and since 1931 has represented Great Britain in the Davis Cup competition. He has beaten a number of the foremost players of the day, and has won innumerable tournaments. Last year he was beaten by Crawford in a memorable match in the fifth round of *'— -*■ I —- 1 ' 1 " singles at Wimbledon; but he avenged that defeat recently when he beat Crawford fresh from his triumph at Wimbledon in the final of the American national singles. Perry won that match, 6-3, 11-13, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, and thus he became the second Englishman to win the American title in 52 years of play. H. L. Doherty won the title in 1903. At the commencement of the British season, Perry won the hard-court title from Austin, but was beaten in France by Satoh (Japan) and at Wimbledon by Farquharson (South Africa). However, since Wimbledon he has not been defeated, and he has taken to camp M’Grath. Vines, Allison, Cochet, Merlin, Gledhill, Stoeffen and Crawford in that order. Perry has had a champion's stroke ability for the past three years. His position in the world’s ten best players is due mainly to a splendidly controlled temperament.