LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue IX, 1 March 1902, Page 399

LAWN TENNIS.

(By

“ Vantage.”)

I have not heard yet of anyone who is willing- to present the medals for the boys’ and girls’ championships this season. This event was most successful last season, and it would be a great pity to allow it to drop through this. The originators of the event are not taking any part in it this year, principally on account of the very bad taste displayed by a relation of one of the competitors last season. It seems a pity when people go out of their way to foster sport that they should not receive every assistance possible. I think it would be a sportsmanlike action for those who are responsible for the originators of the competition standing out, to present the medals this year, but I am afraid there is not much chance of this being done.

Rice beat Brown three sets straight in the Club Championship at Mount Eden during the week. Brown did not get much chance, as Rice was playing really above himself. The sets were 6—-0, 6—l, 6—l. The same players met again at Mount Eden on Saturday in the Auckland Championship, when Rice .again won after a much better match by three sets straight, 6—3, 6—4, 6—4. There is no doubt Brown is a much improved player, and with a little more head work in his play will improve still further.

Vaile intends to take a spell from the game for a while, which is what he should have done months ago. There is no doubt that his game is nothing like what it was last year, his volleying, which was his strpng point, being all to pieces.

A considerable number of interesting matches have now been played by the members of the West End Tennis Club, and their tournament is progressing rapidly. Brabant should have little difficultyy in winning the championship, as Peacock is standing out, but he is not playing too strong a game just now. He has parted with his old Tate, and is using a racquet—an E.G.M. —half an ounce lighter than he is accustomed to, and I know from bitter experience what a difference this makes in one’s game. There is nothing like the steam behind Brabant’s stroke that was at the beginning of the season.

Reginald Biss still looks like the pick of the Men’s Handicap Singles at Mount Eden. During the week he beat Billing, and I cannot see who is to put him out.

Rice beat Heather in the Handicap Singles, by two sets to one. Rice owed his opponent half fifteen. These players play a very similar game, and many of their strokes are really good.

Rice, having won the toss, plays Brabant in the final for the Auckland Championship at Mount Eden next Saturday at 2.30 sharp, when I look forward to seeing an interesting game. If Rice can play as he did against Brown on Thursday last he will give Brabant a lot of trouble. In any case I quite expect him to make a good match of it.

• Turner beat .Mair in the Mount Eden Club Championship after losing the first two sets. Mair ran himself to a standstill and chased a lot of im-< possible stuff. Turner lasted wonderfully well, and at the end of the game hnd everything his own way. The scares were 4—6, 3—6, 6—3, 6—2, 6—l, from which it will lie seen that Turner came at the right end of the journey. Turner’s play although peculiar in many respects is a lesson to most of our young players. Rice will probably win the Club Championship. although Turner may lie de- " ’"ded on to make a good fight for