LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 8, 24 February 1909, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

Davis Cup. The English Tennis Association has challenged Australasia to play for the Davis Cup. Nothing is officially known regarding America’s intentions in the matter, but it is understood that England intends to make a strong effort to have the preliminary tie played at Wimbledon. The Taranaki Tournament AUCKLAND DEFEATED. NEW PLYMOUTH, Saturday. The fourth series of the Auckland-Tara-naki matches commenced this morning on the New Plymouth courts. The weather has been threatening, but steadily cleared, and was fine for the afternoon. The grounds are showing the effect of the New Year tournament, and are rather bumpy. The following are the results of the matches played this morning. COMBINED DOUBLES. , Miss Powdrell and Dickie beat Miss Gorrie and Upton, 6 — 4, 7 —5. Miss E. Dickie and Wallace beat Miss Woodroffe and Hickson. The Auckland pair were rather outclassed, as Wallace was playing with his usual brilliance, despite want of practice. Mrs. Payne and Jennings beat Miss Harvev and Sherriffs, 6 —4, 2—6, 6 —o. Jennings was the best of the four, though Mrs Payne was playing with all her old vigour. Jennings is coming on, as lie has excellent shots, good reach, and fine style. Miss Brewster and Nicholson beat Miss Martin and Brown, 6—2, 5 —7, 6—2. The first and second sets were both very evenly Contested. In last set Miss Brewster was scoring repeatedly with hard straight drives to the base line, and across court. She is an excellent side line player, and was really responsible for the win. Miss A. Dickie and Sellar beat Miss Parsons and Simpson, 6—3, B—6. Miss Simpson and Powdrell beat Miss Walker and Longuet, 6—3, 6—2. MEN’S SINGLES. Jennings beat Hickson, 6—3, 6—3. Jennings was very much too good for Hickson, and beat him at every department of the game. He is really up to the standard of Dickie and WallatV. and therefore very formidable as a third string. Powdrell and Simpson had a good match, and only Simpson’s experience saved him from a worse beating, as his opponent was making nearly all the Openings by harder hitting and better length. Powdrell beat Hlmpsin, 6—4, 9—7. Wallace beat Upton, 3—6, G-4, 6 — 4. Dickie beat Brown, G— 4, 6—2 MEN’S DOUBLES. Powdrell and Sellar beat Simpson and Longuet, 6 —2, 6 —o. __

LADIES’ SINGLES. Miss Gorrle played an excellent game, many of her attacking shots being up to Miss Powdrell’s best. In tight corners, however, the New Zealand champion shone, and generally made her opponent do most of the running. The rallies were long, Interesting, and of a high standard. Miss Harvey received quite an ovation from Auck anders when she won a solitary victory for Auckland against eleven Taranaki. Powdrell beat Simpson, 6—4, 9—7. Mrs. Payne beat Miss Woodroffe. 6—3, 2—4, 6—4. Miss Harvey beat Miss A. Dickie, 6 —l, 6—5. Miss E. Dickie beat Miss Walker, I—6, 6—2, 6—B. Miss Brewster beat Miss Parsons, 6 —3, Miss Simpson beat Miss Martin, 6—4, 4—6. 6—l. LADIES’ DOUBLES. Misses Powdrell and E. Dickie beat Misses Harvey and Woodroffe, 6—2, 6—l. Misses Gorrie and Martin beat Mrs.. Payne and Miss A. Dickie, 2—6, 6 —3, 6—4. Misses Parsons and Walker beat Misses iSimpson and Brewster, 6—3, 6—4. Taranaki thus won this year’s match by 21 gamee to three.