ROBSON IS NEW TENNIS CHAMPION OF N.Z.

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 January 1949, Page 6

ROBSON IS NEW TENNIS CHAMPION OF N.Z.

SPLENDID PLAY BY MRS. McVAY

WELLINGTON, Sunday (PA).— The brilliant and unexpected victory of J. E. Robson (Otago) over R. S. McKenzie (Wellington) in the men’s singles final, was the highlight of a splendid afternoon’s tennis at Central Park, Wellington, on Saturday, when the finals of the 1948-49 NewZealand tennis championships were played before a capacity crowd of 3500 to over 4000. McKenzie has held the title for three years. Mrs. J. J. McVay (Wellington), who eliminated the former champion, Miss E. G. Attwood (Auckland), in the semi-final of the women’s singles, beat Miss M. Kerr (Otago), <n two sets in the final. Later, Mrs McVay and Mrs. J Robb (Hutt Valley) annexed the 'women’s doubles title by beating last year's cnampion pair, Misses E. G. Attwood and M. Kerr in the third set.

Winner of the mixed doubles with R. McKenzie on Friday, Mrs. McVay thus achieved the distinction of being a triple title-holder.

Rain only twice interrupted the tournament. It delayed the start of play for an hou r and a-half on the first day a week ago, and it interrupted the men’s doubles final at 6 p.m. on Saturday. McKenzie and fe. Painter (Wellington), title-holders, were at that stage leading Robson and O. M. Bold (Hutt Valley), 6-4, 8-6, and 8-all in the third. The match was resumed this afternoon, when McKenzie and Painter won the two games they needed in four minutes and without the loss of a point. The Women’s Plate was won by Miss J Burke (Taranaki junior) and the men's by L. P Roach .Waikato). Cash takings on Saturday were £366, while the reservation payments totalled a further £325. The gross takings from the tournament are in the vicinity of £l2oo—£2oo above the Wellington Lawn Tennis Association’s minimum hopes. Saturday's crowd was almost certainly the biggest ever to attend a tennis fixture in Wellington. Results: MEN’S SINGLES Robson beat McKenzie, 6-1 3-6 6-2, 6-4. MEN’S DOUBLES McKenzie and Painter beat Bold and Robson, 6-4, 8-6, 10-8, WOMEN’S SINGLES g Mrs McVay beat Miss Kerr, 6-2, WOMEN’S DOUBLES Mesdames McVay and Robb beat Misses Attwood and Kerr, 7-5, 6-8, MEN’S PLATE L P. Roach (Waikato) beat M. Souter (South Canterbury) 12-14 6-2, 6-3. 7-5. ’ ’ WOMEN’S PLATE T J 5 Ss J" Burke (Taranaki) beat Mrs. J. Graham (Hutt Valley). 8-6, 6-3.