LAWN TENNIS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17573, 25 June 1925, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

WIMBLEDON RESULTS. PLAY INTERRUPTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.——Copyright. (Received June 25. noon.) LONDON. June 24. Prospects for play at Wimbledon today appear remote. Intermittent rain fell this morning. Rain set in persistently this afternoon, and the Centre Court has been covered. Second round results include: R. Lycett (England) defeated C. Scroope (Ireland) G-3, 6-3, 6-1. 11. L. Barclay (Australia) beat Temple 6-1, 6-3. 6-3. P. D. Spence (South Africa) defeated J. D. Wheatley (England) 6-2, 6-2, S-6. LADIES’ SINGLES. Miss Ryan (England) beat Miss Madame Billout beat Mrs Lycett (England ). Miss M’Kane (England) beat Miss Sterry (England!. Miss Boyd (Australia) beat Miss C. Ilardie (England). Miss Akhurst (Australia) beat Mrs 11. D. Weston (England). NOTES ON THE PLAY. Miss Ryan, of England, one of the favourites for the ladies' singles championship, is now into the second round. Iler performances in earlier tournaments this season at Home were full of merit. She beat Miss Bettv Xuthall 6-1, 6-2: Miss loan Frv. 6-2, (3-2: and Mrs Pitt, 6-2, 6-2, and is the holder of the British Hard Court Championship. Messages to the Sydney "Sun” last week said that it was probable that Mdlle. Lenglen would not play at Wimbledon owing to the illness cf her father. Should this prove correct. Miss Ryan's chances would be considerably enhanced.

The defeat so early of Mrs I.vcett (nee Miss Austin) is unexpected. She is a sound player with variety ol stroke., and lias w o 11 many honours in doubles, chiefly a.i the partner of Miss Evelyn Colshe reached the final of the Ladies Doubles at Wimbledon th !*■»»»

years ago. Madame* Billout is not wellknown to New Zealand enthusiasts. Miss M'Kane was off colour at the beginning of the season owing to an accident. Her victory over Miss Sterry in the first round may be accepted as an indication that she is again striking first-class form. Miss Sterry. a promising young English player, is the daughter of that Mrs Sterry who was a very notable figure in English tennis from 1893 till just before the war. Recently at Weybridge she defeated Miss St George (Australia), but was defeated in the semi-final bv Miss Boyd (Australia), 3-6, 0-2, G-3. ‘ It is good news to learn of the opening victories of the Australian girls. Miss Akhurst and Miss Boyd. Miss Akhurst is ladies’ champion of the i 'ommonwealth. A cablegram says that though still not fully recovered from her leg injury, she looked like winning much more comfortably than she did for she led 5-3 in the second set, which she only won 7-5. R. Lycett, who defeated Scroope ‘lreland), has represented both England and Australia in Davis Cup matches. lie is a most determined player with great forcing ground shots. Lycett will play with J. O. Anderson in the doubles. J. D. Wheatley is the first man of outstanding brilliance to suffer defeat. He represented England in Davis Cup matches in 1923, 1924 and 1925. Spence, who beat him, is regarded as one of the best players now resident of the British Isles. Though a South African he has been prominent in English tournaments for years. Lately he won the British Hard Courts Tournament, defeating C. H. Kingsley, 6-1, 6-4, 9-7. According to a message published in Wellington, J. O. Anderson made his first appearance in the famous Centre Court on Tuesday, but was not the least extended when he defeated Burr, the London suburban player, by a most comfortable margin. Burr is nothing like as steady, persevering, or worthy an opponent as Dr Andreac. Nevertheless. it was quite plain that Anderson’s play showed considerable improvement, lie landed his first service far oftener, and was much more accurate with his forehand driving, while he came in more often and put away volleys with the greatest case. Anderson will have to face much harder problems in the next two rounds, when lie meets P. D. 13. Spcncc or J. D. P. Wheatley.