FAST RALLIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17462, 13 February 1925, Page 6

FAST RALLIES.

TENNIS IN SYDNEY. CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS. SYDNEY. January 31. Groat interest was taken in the doubles play at the Australian tennis championship finals. It was fast, brilliant and exciting. Taking the first game in the doubles ehampiojiship from Anderson and Kalms, Patterson a n d O’Hara Wood got going well. But the- New South Wales pair played with vim and determination. and the applause that followed showed surprise and pleasure combined. The play was remarkablv even to 4-4, when Anderson and Kalms, having some little difficulty in bolding their own, and finally losing their advantage, when Patterson cannon-balled through his service, and Kalms failed to win his. Anderson netting) an easy smash, and Kalms failing in the same department. The first set was Patterson and O’Hara Wood’s, at 6-4. Patterson and O’Hara Wood lost a 2-1 lead in the second set. and thereafter the games went on service to 7 all. Then Patterson broke through with exceptionally severe volleying and smashing and Kalms failed to win bis service. Wood brought off one of the most clever and decisive interceptions of the match. Thus the second set went to the Victorians. The third set was very much like the first two, if anything, a lit tie more so. Tt was certainly the same kind of fightjug. Anderson and Kalms were behind 2-0, when they slipped one over and Kalms, on his service, in the next game evened matters. Some decidedly clever play was seen during O’Hara Wood’s service. especially at the net. and he won it, hut Anderson evened matters by severe services and decisive drives. Patterson and Kalms each took his service in turn, then Wood took his to love, his most noticeable shot being a return right across the court, which left both his opponents guessing. A double fault during Anderson’s service, and a net by Patterson, brought five all. after which Patterson battered bis way through, and Kalms failed in his service mainly owing to the smart net play and clever interceptions of O’Hara Wood. The set was Patterson’s and O’Hara. Wood’s at 7-5 and they held the doubles championship with a win in three straight sets.THE MIXED DOUBLES. Tlie most sparkling tennis of the day was provided by the mixed doubles — Schlesinger and Mrs Harpur (Vic. Land J. Willard and Miss Akhurst (N.S.W.). Both sets were good, and the match was fairly evenly fought out. Willard played splendidly, and was given good support by Miss Akhurst, who brought off several well-placed shots that scored when really needed. Mrs Harpur was a little more erratic- than usual, and as Schlesinger occasionally followed her example, the issue was never in serious doubt. There were times, however, when Schlesinger brought off some fine shots, and when Mrs Harpur treated the spectators to certain strokes peru liaHy her own, but J. Willard and Misß Akhurst won in straight sets, although at one stage it was remotely possible the balance might- turn in favour of their opponents. THE LADIES SINGLES. Miss Akhurst- had had a hard tussle earlier in the afternoon to wrest the victory in the women’s singles championship from Miss Boyd. the Victorian. In the end she won. not so much by superior play, as by getting everything back, and allowing her opponents to make the mistakes. Partnered by Mrs Harpur (the Miss Lance, of New .South Wales, of days). Miss Akhurst helped to carry off the women’s doubles championship in two straight sets.