TENNIS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10306, 15 January 1927, Page 10

TENNIS.

HARD COURT AND LAWN. NOTES AND NEWS. (By -'‘Sideline.”) Southern Critis on N.Z. Tourney. Mr. Iv. Browning, .secretary of the Canterbury L.T.A., in passing through Wellington on his way home, made .some very interesting comments to a “N.Z. Times” representative audit the recent Dominion tournament at Auckland.

Mr. Browning was much impressed by the steadiness and resoureeluiness displayed by some of the younger pla vers, notably Camille Malfroy, Knott' and Sturt* Malfroy’* win from Ivan Seay was a good one, although the conditions prevailing certain! v did not suit the Canterbury representative. Maifroy's subsequent displays in the tournament, notably in his singles with MeOausland (of N.S.W.), a match which he was unlucky in not winning in straight sets, and in his doubles games in partnei■ship with Haege, stamped him as a coming champion. “Malfroy is equally good with backhand and forehand, while his volleying at times was delightful.” . •‘lt is questionable,'’ said Mr. Browning, -‘whether the tournament should have been commenced with the courts so suit and slippery, especially when spikes were not allowed. However, the natural anxiety or Mr. Kean to get the. tournament under wav was appreciated. The veteran J. C. Peacock suffered like Seay; in fact, was quite hopeless throughout liis match with Sturt.’ Mr. Browning considers that in the new champion New Zealand possesses a player of great promise. He has youth", is - physically sound, and lias perfect match temperament.

The semi-final match against Bartloet proved Andrew’s ability as a player. Bartleet held a commanding lead of 5—3 when Andrews came to light and literally blew the Aucklander off the court, taking 11 games on end. winning the first set at 7—5, the second to iove, and leading 1— love in the third, Barleet then put up a good performance, winning four games on end, hut Andrews played superb tennis, winning set and match in straight sets, 7—5, 6—o, 7—5. It was distinctly unfortunate for Dr. North, Andrews’ opponent in the final, that on the morning of the singles final he was engaged in a strenuous five-set doubles encounter which lasted, more than two hours, against Knott and Sturt, the ultimate winners, while the champion-to-be, haying with Seay lost earlier in this event, had an off morning and was perfectly fresh lor the singles final. North played possibly liis best tennis of .the tournament during the first two sets. Then, with Andrews improving his driving, both in speed and accuracy, he had liis opponent chasing from side to side. At the end of the third set Andrews looked a sure winner. Mr. Browning said that he was natural!.', t u,appointed with the showing of M ss Spoil's at the tournament; during which, with the single exception of°her display in the final of the mixed event, she entirely lacked confidence. She hardly put in a first service, while her second lacked sting and direction. Her forehand drive seldom came off, and her .courtcraft was a negligible quantity. Her poor exhibition in the final against Miss Howe was hard to understand. She commenced well and led 3—love, but after that she made numerous errors, ■■stroking' imperfectly and going in often on short drives only to be passed repeatedly down the side

lines. The new champion played with a confidence that Was characteristic or her, and thoroughly deserved success. The Canterbury lady’s display wim Don France in the final gave these present an idea ol her game, and they were quick to appreciate the merit of it. France also played splendidly.

Anderson Takes the Steps The definite step into professional ranks —for some time contemplated by J. 0. Anderson—came at hist, after the big match in which he defeated G. L. Patterson in Sydney. it was no surprise, as everyone had been prepared for it by earlier announcement,s, which were not altogether surprising. Anderson has reached an age when his tennis is not likely to go on improving, and lie probably realises that when his prowess as a player has passed tennis will not help him to make a livelihood. He hopes to get some actual benefit out of the game while lie is still more or less at the top of his form.

His secession naturally is a serious loss to Australian tennis as far as Da vis Cup, cr international matches are concerned. But it he adheres to his decision to coach and teach the younger generation of players he will do a lot of good for the game in Australia.

There is ample room for tennis coaches hi Australia, and a player of Anderson’s calibre should do well. As regards exhibition matches lie will need some fellow professionals to assist him. As far as the capital cities are concerned, there is so much tennis played and so many tournaments that the leading amateurs would not have time to play exhibition matches against Anderson, cveiy if the controlling bodies gave their sanction.

In the larger country centres there is more scope, but here again sanction is necessary for the amateurs, if this were granted it is quite possible that a large crowd would conic t'o see the local champion pitted against the one-time champion of Australia.

Odd Strings. An interesting section in the latest ‘‘Blue and. White,” the official magazine of St. ‘Patrick’s College, Wellington, Is that referring to tennis. The outstanding performance recorded in the magazine is that of C. E l . Malfroy, who covered himself with glory at the recently concluded New Zealand Tennis 'Championships and who competed with success at Wanganui. Malfroy is third on the Wellington Association ladder and his success lias been so phenomenal that be lias been marked down as a player likely to reach the highest rung in the tennis ladder.