McKENZIE AND ROBSON IN MEN’S FINAL AT N.I. TENNIS TOURNEY

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 December 1947, Page 6

McKENZIE AND ROBSON IN MEN’S FINAL AT N.I. TENNIS TOURNEY

(P.A.) New Plymouth, Dec. 29 Tennis by New Zealand’s top Slayers, including members of the 'avis Cup team and the New Zealand champion, was witnessed by more than 700 spectators at the North Island championships at Hawera today. The semi-finals of the men’s and women's singles championships were contested and, although there were no surprises, none of the games was taken easily. After a marathon first set, the Davis Cup player, J. E. Robson (Otago) beat O. M. Bold (Lower Hutt), who travelled with the Davis Cup team, in the semi-final of the men's singles, 10-8, 6-2. While Robson had (he better selection of shots, Bold seemed faster and succeeded in returning shots which, from the spectators’ point of view, seemed impossible. Against the New Zealand chamSion, R. S. McKenzie (Newton), G. ladonich (Auckland) was not expected to shine in the other semifinal. He was not overwhelmed, however, and took four games in the two sets. Radonich worked hard but McKenzie had too many shots and too much polish for him, winning 6-1, Although she won her semi-final in two sets, Miss M. Beverley, New Zealand women's singles champion, did not have everything her own way with Miss B. Potter (Auckland), who is also listed with the top six New Zealand women players. In both sets, the games were strongly contested and, in both cases Miss Potter held her opponent to 4-4. There was no doubt that Miss Beverley was too good and she won 6-4, 6-4. In the other women's semi-final, Miss E. Attwood (Auckland) was too good for Miss M. Kerr (Otago). Miss Attwood made no mistake and won fairly comfortably, 6-1, 6-3. The courts were in excellent order and the weather was splendid. It is expected that the finals of all the championships will be held tomorrow. WANGANUI COMPETITORS (0.C.) New Plymouth, Dec. 29 Results in rounds preceding the semi-finals at the North Island tennis championships at Hawera today included the following matches in which Wanganui competitors played:— MEN’S DOUBLES Second round: R. G. Mcßae and Honeyfield (Patea) beat B. Dashfield and D. Brown (Wanganui), 8-6, 6-1. Third round; P. Becroft and A. W. Tills (Auckland) beat A. and E. Dickie (Waverley), 6-8, 6-3, 6-1. COMBINED DOUBLES Second round: M. Lampe (Wanganui and Miss B. Hicks (Hawera) beat E. J. Hyde (Opunake) and Mrs. Webster (New Plymouth) 3-6 6-3 7-5. A. W. Tills (Auckland) and Miss N. Brightwell (New Plymouth) beat G. Marsh (Hawera) and Miss Elliott (Wanganui) 7-5 6-3. Third Round.—J. A. Cook and Miss T. Greaves (Wanganui) bent Cranswick and Miss B. Webster (New Plymouth) 6-0 6-1. Dickie and Mrs. Dickie (Waverley) beat McLean and Mrs. Fagan (Opunake) 6-3 6-3. Fourth round: S. Painter and Mrs. Painter (Wellington) beat Cook and Miss Greaves 6-3 6-3. CANTERBURY TOURNEY W. J. SMITH IN FINAL OF MEN’S SINGLES (P.A.) Christchurch Dec. 29 The Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association’s championship tournament was continued today. W. J. Smith has reached the final in the men's singles and doubles and the semifinals in the mixed doubles. Smith will play C. Angas (Wellington) in the final of the singles and with R. Cant will play R. G. Pattinson and R. A. H. Howe in the doubles. The young Canterbury player Miss J. Mac Gibbon reached the final of the women’s singles defeating Mrs. H. Lane in two straight sets. She will meet Mrs. M. Lawrence in the final. The women’s doubles finalists are

Mesdames Lane and D. Donnithorne and Mrs. I. Hatherley and Miss T. Poole. The Otago players S. D. F. Radford and Miss M. Robertson are in the semi-finals of the mixed doubles.