EVERY TITLE CHANGES HANDS IN DOMINION TENNIS TOURNEY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19267, 2 January 1931, Page 15

EVERY TITLE CHANGES HANDS IN DOMINION TENNIS TOURNEY

Interest In Closing Stages Of The Play Was At Fever Heat.

TWENTY-TWO years of age, six feet in height and strongly built, Alan Stedman, the new tennis champion of the Dominion, is a worthy suc-

cessor to Wilding, Ollivicr, Bartleet, Andrews and other giants of the past. He is the hardest hitter in the Dominion to-day. Stedman at present holds' the Wairarapa singles title, the New Zealand University singles, and, with N. G. Sturt, the Auckland doubles. He won the University title also in 1928, but the following vear was defeated in the final by C. E. Malfroy. Play in the forty-second New Zealand lawn tennis championships ended on Wednesday. The final contests were exciting, and the large gallery who attended witnessed some splended exhibitions. As a result of the play every title has changed hands. The Wilding Memorial Cup, held last year by Wellington, goes this year to Auckland, who won both singles (six points). Canterbury, with wins in the men’s doubles, combined doubles and girls’ singles (five points) was runner-up. The Champions. The following are the champions for the 1930-31 season:— Men’s Singles-—A. C. Stedman (Auckland). Women’s Singles—Mrs 11. M. Dykes (Auckland), Men’s Doubles —C. Angas and I. A. Seay (Canterbury). Women’s Doubles —Mrs W. J. Melody and Miss M. Myers (Wellington). Combined Doubles—Miss M. Andrew and I. A. Seay (Canterbury). Boys’ Singles—N. Davys (Wellington ). Girls’ Singles—Miss N. Bishop (Canterbury ). Boys’ Doubles—N. Davys (Welling, ton) and A. A. M’Gibbon (Oamaru). Girls’ Doubles—Misses N. Dick and T. Poole (Canterbury). Junior Combined Doubles—Miss INI Howe and X. Davys (Wellington). Stedman and Barnett.

A. C. Stedman won the singles after a meritorious display in all rounds. He beat N. G. Munns, 6-3, 6-0, 62; T. W. Patterson, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2: C. Angas, 17-15, 6-4, 6-2; and H. A. Barnett. 7-5, 6-1, 6-3. After his thrilling battle with Angas on the previous day*, when he thrashed the champion off the court, it was not expected that Barnett, the Canterbury finalist, would prove sufficiently strong to beat him, and, although Stedman had not the sting of the previous day, this proved the case. Barnett played a very well judged and plucky game, but Steclman’s powerful drives proved too strong for his backhand. Stedman has improved enormously during the past year, and, as he cannot but improve, it is quite likely that he will hold the title for some time to come. His forehand, in which the power comes almost entirely from the body swing, resembles Henri Cochet's and is unequalled in New Zealand. Although he did not win, Barnett’s triumph was almost equal to that of Stedman. In his first year of big tennis and his first New Zealand tournament he beat D. G. France, 1-6, 6-0, 6-L 7-5; E. H. Orbell, 6-2, 7-5. 6-3: K. J. Hayr, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3; and N. R. C. Wilson, 8-6, 8-6, 6-8, 5-7, 6-2. Barnett has some wonderful strokes and a wonderful heart, and these two should do much towards taking him very far in the tennis world. A Great Come-Back.

In»winning the women’s singles title, Mrs H. M. Dykes (May Spiers) made a wonderful come-back after two years of retirement. Miss Spiers held the singles title in 1923, 1925 and 1927, and the women’s doubles with Mrs W. A. Scott and Miss M. Wake. This year she was regarded as somewhat of a “dark horse,’’ as she had not taken part in any important tournaments for several seasons, and her form has been both a surprise and a delight to her supporters. She was run very close in several matches by opponents fitter than herself, but her greater courtcraft and better strokes madel her in every wav the one to hold the futle. Miss D. Xicholls, the previous champion, who was rather unlucky in being eliminated early in the tournament, and probably have given her a hard run. When she regains her old fitness, however, there will be very few of the women players in the Dominion at the present time who will extend her. Play in the Doubles.

The doubles draw this 3-ear contained some very fine pairs, and thus the achievement of Angas and Seay in winning the men’s doubles and of Miss May Andrew and Seay in winning the combineds were all the more creditable. In both these two events the competition was unmarred by any early surprises, and the Canterbury pair won because the}' had the best combination and the best strokes. Neither Angas nor Seay are regarded as good doubles piaj'ers, but in each of the two events they had the right partners to suit them. Seay and Angas played a very unorthodox game together, but their perfect understanding made this unorthodox play an asset. They played all over the court, cutting in on each other most unexpectedly, but each was so quick, on his feet that rarely was a weakness left, while the continual surprise of the movement won them innumerable points. Miss Andrew also understands Seay’s stj-le of play, and her splendid service and solid net work are real assets to a partnership. All three players’ names have already appeared on the New Zealand tennis honours board. Angas held the New Zealand singles title last year and Miss Andrew shared the women’s doubles with Miss Melva Wake. Ivan Seay, although one of the best players in the country, had not until this year won any open event, but he was the junior champion in 1920. Promising Young Players. The junior events did not reveal any* great form, but both Miss N. Bishop i and Miss C. Reese, who shared the final of the girls’ singles, are y*oung players of promise. The one outstanding player of the junior events, however, was X. Davys, of Wellington, who holds the junior singles and shared the junior boys and combined doubles. 1 He is tall and well built and his style gives promise of much better things in the years to come. There was no other player in the junior competition to extend him properly. Results. Wednesday’s results were:—Men’s Singles. (Final.) A. C. Stedman (Auckland) beat 11. : A. Barnett (Canterbury), 7-5, 6-1, 6-3. ,

Women’s Singles. (Final.) Mrs H. M. Dykes (Auckland) beat Miss Marjorie Macfarlane (Auckland), 6- 9-7. Men’s Doubles. (Final.) C. Angas and I. A. Seay (Canterbury-) beat D. G. France and A. L. France (Wellington), 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. Combined Doubles. (Semi-finals.) Mrs N. Thomson and N. R. C. Wilson beat Miss M. Wake and A. C. Stedman, 6-2, 3-6, 11-9. Miss M. Andrew and I. A. Seay beat Mrs R. P. Adams and D. G. France, 7- 4-6, 6-4. (Final.) Miss M. Andrew and I. A. Seay (Canterbury) beat Mrs N. Thomson and X. R. C. Wilson (Wellington), 7-5, 3-6, Girls’ Singles. (Final.) Miss X. Bishop (Canterbury*) beat Miss C. Reese (Canterbury), 6-2, 6-5. Junior Combined Doubles. Miss M. Howe and X. Davys (Wellington) beat Miss T. Poole and E. Kean (Canterbury), 6-1, 6-5.

NOTES ON THE PLAY. There was a big gallery for the first game of the afternoon between 11. A. Barnett and A. C. Stedman in the final of the men’s singlesl Both players opened cautiously with neither stroking cleanly on the backhand. Stedman look the first game on his service, but in the next Barnett, tossing up deep stuff, equalled. Stedman double-fa-ulted three times in the next game and gave it to Barnett, as well as the following one. Barnett now led 3-1. Barnett was mis-hitting on the backhand and was having a lot of hard luck, a number of his shots outing by inches when Stedman was out of position. Stedman took the next game, but Barnett led 4-2. Barnett claimed another, finishing it with a deep lob after drawing Stedman to the net in a nice driving rally. Stedman took the next game from Barnett’s backhand. He was now playing more steadily, and was making points with beautiful forehand drives to Barnett’s backhand co'rBarnett appeared to be rather nervous, and was not stroking as steadily as usual, though he occasionally gained a round of applause with nice clean drives after leading Stedman out of position. Stedman was playing a hard game, and was coming in to kill everything short. He led 6-5 and took the first set 7-5. Barnett Fights Hard. In the second set Stedman pressed home his advantage, and with Barnett still making more mistakes than usual led 4-love. In the next game Barnett, lobbing deeply, gained the decision, but Stedman outdrove him in the next two games and took the set 6-1. The final set saw Barnett fighting hard, but Stedman led him 4-1. On his service Barnett led 40-15 in the next game and with a brilliant cross-court drive made the score 2-4. Barnett continued the struggle, and, passing Stedman with a brilliant drive at the net, climbed to 3-4. Barnett badly needed the next two games, but a slight wildness gave them both to Stedman. The feature of the last game was a fine driving rally which ended with Stedman outpacing Barnett to his forehand corner. He took the set 6-3 and the match 7-5, 6-1, 6-3. A burst of cheering at the conclusion greeted the new champion. The Women’s Title. Mrs Dykes (Auckland) met Miss Marjorie Macfarlane (Auckland) in the final of the women’s singles. Mrs Dykes took the first game from Miss Macfarlane’s service, and in the second and third, also, playing nice cross-court drives, had the ascendancy. She was outplaying Miss Macfarlane, who was not going at all well. Down 4-love, however, Miss Macfarlane extended herself and claimed a game. Mrs Dykes was playing very pretty and effective tennis, and though the .sixth game went to advantage twice she took the set 6-1. The second set saw Mrs Dykes tiring somewhat and Miss Macfarlane fighting grimly for a lead. For a long time the fortunes of the game fluctuated. Miss Macfarlane was driving well to the sidelines and kept the exCanterbury player continually on the run. Mrs Dykes was still driving accurately, however, delighting the gallery with her beautifully executed strokes. She had not her sting of former years, but her placements were often finding her opponent out of position. Miss Macfarlane’s forcing tactics were wearing her down gradually, however, in spite of her better allround pla}', and with the games running level, 6-all, it looked doubtful if Mrs Dykes could stand the pace of another set. She was fighting steadily still and showing plainly the quality which had three times previously made her national singles champion. Although she, too, realised her danger, she was never flurried into forcing the pace, but played patiently for an opening, placing accurately when it came. It had resolved itself into a match between science and strength, and the spectators watched each move with bated breath. They showed plainly where their sympathies had been when, after 8-7 had been called, Mrs Dykes took the odd game, winning 6-1, 9-7. The cheering and clapping were deafening. Miss Macfarlane was also given an ovation for her plucky fight against a better player. Faultless Tennis. Playing faultless tennis, C. Angas

and 1. A. Seay (Canterbury-) won the men’s doubles title, defeating D. G. France and A. L. France (Wellington), 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. Thrilled from the start the gallery became almost satiated as the match wore on, with one brilliant shot being ever closely followed by another. From the beginning the France brothers forced the pace, and led 2-0. All four were going brilliantly in the third game, and the crowd were thrilled with some fine four-handed rallies at the net before Angas and Seay claimed the next game. They were playing wonderful tennis and took three games in a row. They were playing an allcourt game, but mainly forced the net, driving the Frances into error. Don France was playing well, but Len was rather unsteady' - . The Canterbury pair were both intercepting well, often catching the others off their guard. They led 5-3. At set point Seay slipped and fell, but Angas recovered, and they took the set, 6-3. Both pairs were playing more steadily in the second set, and with the score 3-all there were some brilliant rallies in which the Canterbury pair, who were . having trouble with the slippery' grass, made some wonderful recoveries. They led 5-3. Seay o.uted the first set point, but made sure of the second, taking the set 6-3. The tennis in the third set was wonderful. After being down 2-love, the France brothers, rushing the net, won to a 3-2 lead. Angas and Seay took a turn at the net, and An|as, volleying brilliantly, again went into the lead. They continued in the ascendancy, taking the set 6-3 and the match 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. Last Title Changes Hands. The only title-holders to reach a final, Mrs N. Thomson and N. R. C. Wilson, met their Waterloo, when in the combined doubles they met 1 Miss May Andrew and Ivan Seay. The Can-, terbury pair won 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in the last match, one of the most exciting and close of the afternoon. The decision was in doubt until the final game. Both Miss Andrew and Seay were playing fine tennis in the opening games, and, both taking games from their services, led 4-2. Then Miss Andrew struck a bad patch, and with Wilson driving and volleying brilliantly the champions evened 4-all and 5-all. Seay covering his court in wonderful fashion, however, and finding the weak points in his opponents’ defence, returned the attack, taking the set 7-5. The second set opened brightly. Wilson and his partner early gained the commanding position at the net, but Miss Andrew and Seay bpth brought off some wonderful recoveries and captured the game. Seay tried to force matters too much in the next few games, but he was not as accurate as in his earlier doubles with Angas and his attempts to intercept play hampered his partner without gaining much. Wilson and Mrs Thomson led 3-1, and although the other two steadied down again in the latter stages took the set 6-3. Dramatic Ending. The deciding set was a close fought struggle. Seay laid many traps for his opponents, but they were mostly returned, Wilson winning points with better ones. They led 3-1 before the Canterbury pair again got into their stride. Then things went with a rush. Seay, J using his terrible reverse American * twist serve, and with deadly smashing, again captured the play. Miss J Andrew was also playing well and scor- ( ed several winners from defensive ’ backhand strokes. She was standing well up to the best that Wilson could f give her, and had some bright volley- < ing duels with him at the net. The Canterbury pair took four games in a row and led 5-3. Wilson was now making many mistakes, but Mrs Thomson ‘ was playing splendidly. She was returning Seay’s service, which was now losing some of its kick, and going to the net was claiming many points with stop ‘ volleys. The pairs were equal at 5-all, but Seay' and his partner led 6-5. Miss Andrew served in the next game and ■ brought U p match point with a perfect ace past Wilson. She double-iauitec. Another one came and was netted by the Canterbury lady. Another ace am again Canterbury had the advantage Miss Andrew served and Mrs Thomson outed, giving Miss Andrew and Seay the victory 7-5, 3-6, 7-5. It was a dramatic ending to the tourney. NUNNELEY CASKET. With Mrs 11. M. Dykes, the new women’s singles champion not available, the Auckland team to play Wellington for the Xunneley' Casket, at Wellington to-day, is now as follows: Misses Marjorie Macfarlane (cap-

tain), J. Ramsay, B. Knight and N. Whitelaw. Misses Knight and Whitelaw are the holders of the Auckland women’s doubles championship. TILDEN RELINQUISHES ALL AMATEUR STANDING (United Press Assn.—By F.lectrio Telegraph—Copyright.) NEW YORK, December 30. William Tilden has announced his immediate retirement from the ranks of amateur tennis. lie intends to take up cinema work, presumably to make a series of tennis talkies. Tilden has relinquished all amateur Standing with the signing of a contract to-day to play professional tennis here and on a world tour to be announced later. Karel Kozeluh, the noted Czeeho-Slovakian professional, will be his first opponent.