LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 22, 1 December 1909, Page 10

LAWN TENNIS.

Tennis Championship, SYDNEY, November 28. The finish of the first round of the Contests resulted in an easy victory for 'Australia. The weather was fine and cool. About 5000 spectators were present. Brookes and McLaughlin opened, the American winning the toss, and serving .with the wind, which at times was puffy. After the rain the courts dried well, although they were a trifle heavy. The American had carried the score to 40 —15, ,when a double fault let Brookes in with advantage to the server. A fine rally ended with the game to McLaughlin. The American could make nothing of ■Brookes’ service, while the Victorian was brilliant in his return. He won his service, and repeated the performance till the score stood 3—l. McLaughlin was Outclassed at almost every point. The American then got his second game In, but Brookes afterwards had all his own way, finishing with two love games, and winning the set 6 —2. The next set was almost similar to the first. The Victorian had the visitor completely tied up with his embarrassing service and fine generalship. The result was •gain 6— 2. McLaughlin made a harder fight at the commencement of the third set, getting the first two games to his credit. Brilliant play on both sides ensued, the Victorian placing his shots with rare judgment. He annexed the four succeeding games, but McLaughlin put on his third game, and Brookes won his service. making the scores 5—3. McLaughlin’s next service ended in his own favour, but the Victorian somewhat easily disposed of him in the next one, the set ending 6 —4. The visitor played a plucky match, with flashes of brilliancy, but the experienced judgment of the older player was too much for his youthful opponent. The second match, Wilding v. Long, promised a tougher contest. Wilding won the toss and served with the W'in, and the first four games were evenly balanced, each player winning off his own •ervice. The New Zealander, after winning his third serve, went clean away and appropriated the remaining games. His play was characterised by excellent drives. The first set ended fl —2. The second set was a hard one, and its hardness told on the American. He appeared to press Wilding, but the New Zealander always had a bit in hand. Wilting won his first service, but Long 'did the same, and beat the New Zealander ©ff his second serve. He was placing very cleverly, and kept Wilding moving. The score stood 2 —2 in favour of Long, •nd then Wilding levelled matters in the next game off the American’s service, and followed up by winning his own. Both players made the pace warm for each other, and the score was five all. The New Zealander nt length secured the lead with a warm service ami hard driving, tempting his opponent to the not and then tossing to the back line. With the Score at B —s Wilding won brilliantly off Long’s serve. The set ended: 7 —5. The third set saw the American fail badly. Wilding got the first three games to love, and the American won the next off his own service. Then the New Zealander got the next three in quick succession. the set ending: fl —1.