LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 830, 1 February 1906, Page 13

LAWN TENNIS

(By

“ Volley.”)

The finals in the Auck'and Champ’onship events were played on Monday. 29th, on the West End lawns. The weather in the early morning did not look too promising, but as the day proceeded it was evident that it would turn out fine, but the w’nd could have moderated with advantage to the players.

The first match began at 1.30 with a very fair attendance of onlookers, which increased considerably before the end of the match. Dr. Keith faced Grossman in the Men’s S’ngles, and in the first set Keith seemed to have his opponent at his mercy, beating him six games to one. In the second set Grossman stead’ed to his work, and with his excellent volleying and judgment went right through with six games to two, score being one set all. The th I’rd 1 ’rd set gave some exce lent displays of placing on both sides, and was a really close go. Eventually the set went to Keith at six games to four, the score reading Keith two sets and Grossman one.

The really hard play of these three sets seemed to tell somewhat on Keith, wh’le Grossman was steadily improving all the time, and in the fourth encounter he won somewhat easily by six to teve, the board now reading two sets all, and the final struggle was commenced. Keith, recognismg that the end was near, rallied and played with much judgment, the game going evenly up to three alll, but at this stage Grossman came with a run and went out w’thout Keith scoring again, 6—3. Thus Grissman won the championship event after one of the most exciting and evenly contested matches witnessed in Auckland for years.

With regard to the two styles of play, there ’s no doubt that Grossman shows what can be done by a good volleyer backed up with judgment and knowledge of position; whilst, on the other hand, Keith many times gave evidence of the apparent ease with wh’ch he could pass his opponent, and after such a close fight it is hard to say that one style was superior to the other.

The result of the match was Grossman three sets to Keith’s two, the score reading I—6, 6—2, 4—6, 6—o, 6—3.

Before the above match was finished M iss Stewart started to play Miss D. Udy for the Ladies’ Championship, and in the first set Miss Stewart started well, leading by two games to hove, but Miss Udy’s cross-court drives and s de-line shots proved too good for Miss Stewart, who only annexed one more game, her opponent winning the set by six games to three. In the second set Miss Udy d’d not give her opponent a chance, leading right through and winning 6—l and with the set the match by two sets to love. This is the second season that M’ss Udv has held the championship, and she shows distinct signs of improvement.

The next contest was for the Lad’es’ Doubles between Misses Rice and Gray against Misses A. Nicholson and Whitelaw. The result was in favour of the Misses R ce and Gray by two sets to one, the score reading 7—5, 4—6, 6—3.

The pairs were very evenly matched and both had similar styles of play, M iss Gray ©laying at the net on one side and M’ss Whitelaw on the other.

Miss Rice appeared steadier in her work on the back ine than M’ss Nicholson, who seems to have lost a lot of the sting in her driving shots. Miss Gray plays a most energetic game, and volleys w’th excellent judgment. and Miss White'aw is also very strong at net work, her smashing being very severe, but she does not appear to take advantage of all the openings made for her.

The final for the Men’s Doubles was then grayed between Grossman and Mair versus Paterson and Upton. Grossman was showing s gns of his severe game against Keith, and was not able to do his partner full justice, whilst Paterson and Upton both playing an excellent double game, the later being espec’ally brilliant. The first set went to the West End pair by 6—2, and in the second set Grossman and Mair succeeded in winning after five a'l had been called by eight to s’x. After this Paterson and Upton went fairly through their opponents, winning the next two sets 6—2, 6—4, the match therefore going to them by three sets to one, the score reading 6—2, 6 —B, 6—2, 6—4. At times there were some very brill‘ant rallies, but the whole game did not show as much vim as was anticipated.

In the Combined Doubles, H’ckson and Miss Gray met Billing and Miss D. Ud’- and the first set result©' 1 :

a win for the former pa’r by eight games to six. In the second set Billing and Miss Udy went through somewhat easily at six games to two, and the third set had a similar result, Billing and M'ss Udy winning by the same score and the match by two sets to_ one, the score reading 6—B, 6—2, 6—2. Miss Gray volleyed ’n good style, and in the first set by playing a net game with her partner succeeded in scoring well, Miss Udy and Billing being unaccustomed to such tactics. This is the fourth year in succession that Miss Udy and Billing have won this event, and for the first time in this match they lost a set.

Miss Udy’s ctean driving gives her partner many opportunities of scoring winning volleys or return, and ’’er s’de-line shots prevent the opposing net player from venturing too far towards the centre of the court.

Taking the whole day’s play there is no doubt that Auckland tennis shows signs of much life, and the matches caused much applause from the onlookers.

This tournament being now completed, the individual clubs’ tournaments will doubtless receive much attention.

On Saturday next the ’’nter-club matches will be resumed, and the draw reads as foltews: —

Eden and Epsom versus West End (A Men’s, B Ladies’, and B Combined. played on Eden and Epsom lawns). Onehunga versus Auckland (A Men’s, A Ladies’, and A Combined, on Onehunga lawns). Parnell versus Devonport (A. Men’s, B Ladies’, and B Combined, on Parnell lawns).

The results of the Eden and Epsom matches against West End will practically decide which club will win th© pennant.