LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 3, 20 January 1909, Page 13

LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Champions. The provincial championships have now been decided, and leave the follow ing list of winners:—Men’s singles, S. Upton; men’s doubles, J. P. Grossmann and E. Miekson; combined doubles, H. Keith and Miso Woodroffe; ladies’ doubles, Miss Cooper and Miss Harvey. The men’s doubles and combined doubles have jxassed into entirely new hands, as none of the winners in these events have ever before been successful in those classes. Congratulations are due to Miss Woodroffe and E. Hickson for theii’ first appearance in the honours list. The others are familiar to us as intermittent winners of some years’ standing. Coming to the Front. Two very promising young lady players became prominent at the Nelson tournament, namely. Misses Wellwood ami Braithwaite. The former gives every indication of being a future champion. She is described as having more freedom of style than even Miss Powdrell, and a stronger service. Her drive- appears to be capable to improvement, as it is hit from very low down on the bounce. Miss Braithwaite is an excellent volleyer, and has much natural cleverness fox’ the game. Both these ladies come from Hastings. Among the men., no bright particular stai' seems to be in the ascendant. A. G. Wallace, with more practice, would go far, but his leisure time seems limited. H. W. Brown, of 'Wellington is an improved player, but lacks endurance. A bad Habit. There was a. good deal of technical foot-faulting at the Auckland tournament. The rule on the point is—- “ The server shall serve with both feet behind the base-line, and within the limits of the imaginary continuation of the centre service, and the side-lines. It is not a fault if one only of the server’s feet do not touch the ground at the moment at which the service is delivered. He shall place both feet on the ground immediately before serving, and shall not take a running nor a walking start.” That is to say, when about to throw up the ball ami strike it, von must put both feet on the ground, during the motion of the racket; one foot may lift, but both feet must nevertheless remain behind the service line until the racket has struck the ball. The player may lean ovex’ the line at any angle, which the laws of gravity will allow, but both feet must be behind the line, and one on the ground at the moment at which the ball is struck. Taranaki Tournament. Splendid weather prevailed fox- the Taranaki tennis tournament on Saturday, and there was a very large attendance. Mr. I-'rater, of Auckland, won the men’s handicap second grade singles. The men’s championship will fix' concluded to-day. Saturday’s results were as follows:—• Ladies’ Championship Singles.—Third round: Miss Powdrell beat Mrs. E. Jones. B —2, 6 —l. Final: Miss Nunneiiey beat Miss Powdrell. 6—3, 4 —6, 6 —3. Men’s Championship Singles.—Second round: Brailsford heat S. Powdrell 7 5. 6—3; IT. W. Brown beat 1.. J Taylor, 6—2, (*—l. Third round: S. J. Smith, a bye from Nicholson: Wilding beat Brailsford. G—2, 6—o; Fisher bea’r Jennings. 3—6. G—3, 6 —3; Parker beat Brown, 6— 1, 6—O. Semi-linnl: Wilding beat Smith. <l—<». 6—l. Men’s Championship Doubles.—Second round: Parker ami Brown beat Tayior and Black, G—4. 6—o: Fisher and Wilding beat JenttingH ami t’aplen. 6 3, l> 2. Ladies' Championship Doubles.— First round: Mrs. Jones and Miss I‘owdrell boat Misses Simpson. <> 1. 6- 2. Second round: Mrs. Payne and Miss N'unm-lley boat Miss i’ave and Miss Brewst- r. G 2. G 0; Mrs. Jones and Miss Powdrell boat Misses Thomson. 6—2 6—L Final: Mrs. Payne mid Miss Nunneiiey beat Mrs. Jones and Powdrell. 4—6. 6- 4. 7—5. Cmnblned Championship Doubles. First round: Miss Powdrell and Fisher beat Miss t’ave ami IL W. Brown. 6 I. 6- 3; Miss Brewster and Black boat Miss D. Simpson nml Dr. Fookes. <1 I. 6- L Second id: Miss Nunneiiey nml Wilding beat Miss Brewster ami Black. • > 2. 6 3. Fisher and Parker meet in the semi-llmil .if the elmmpion singles. The n inner plays Wilding.