LAWN TENNIS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 50, 29 January 1932, Page 2

LAWN TENNIS

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

Per Press Association

AUCKLAND, Jan. 28. Beautifully fine weather prevailed again to-day for the fourth day’s play in the New Zealand tennis championships. The courts were in good order and. there was a good attendance of the public. Big features of the day’s play were the elimination of the titleholders, Stedman and Mrs Dykes, and the success of all four members of the New South Wales team in the ladies’ singles. Their all-round play proved too much for the New Zealanders.

Play in the men’s singles saw Barnett (Canterbury), Wilson (Wellington), Bartleet (Auckland) and Ahgas (Canterbury) remain in to contest the semifinals..

Four seeded pairs still remain in the men’s doubles. The final of the ladies’ doubles will be contested between the Australians, Misses , Valkenburg and Hall and Mrs Dykes (Wellington) and Miss Knight (Auckland). The lastnamed pair eliminated two other Australians, Misses Lloyd and Hartigan. On account of his greater fitness and better present form, Bartleet experienced little difficulty in beating Laurenson after he settled down. Bartleet made many errors in the first set Laurenson being quick to turn mistakes to account, but Bartleet then began to play his usual game and the result was then never in doubt.

When Mrs Dykes and Miss Hall met in Christchurch recently they had a great match and the spectators yesterday looked for a repetition, but were sadly disappointed. Mrs Dykes played a long way below form, netting the majority of her drives and smashes, while her service lacked its usual sting. In her match with Miss Hartigan, Miss Nicholls put up an unexpectedly poor showing in the first set, with the result that she was under a severe handicap for the rest of the match, and although she took the second 6et after close play and did well in the finalset, the task was hopeless. Miss Hartigan was right on her game from the outset and made no mistakes with her powerful service.

Hard driving, greater command of strokes and more varied play.gave Miss Valkenburg a comfortable win over Mrs France, who made a good fight in the first set against her more experienced opponent. In the second set the Wellington player could not . cope with Miss Valkenburg’s tireless attack and was never dangerous. Mrs Molesworth was too strong all round for Miss Knight. Her service was more powerful, while her driving on both hands frequently left her opponent standing. This victory completed the successes of the Australians. Results are as follows: < MEN’S SINGLES.

Fourth round. —Wilson (Wellington) beat Court (Hawke’s Bay), 3 —6. 6—2, 6—3, 6—3. Bartleet (Auckland) beat Laurenson (Waikato), I—6, 6—4, 6—3, 6—l. MEN’S DOUBLES.

Third round.—France and . France (Wellington) beat Charters and Robinson (Auckland) 3—6, 6 —3, 6 —3, 7—5. Wlison (Wellington) and Stedman (Auckland) beat Griffiths (Auckland) and Harrison (Auckland) 7 —5, 6—l, 6—o. Angas (Canterbury) and Barnett (Canterbury) beat Robertson (Auckland) and Deaker (Auckland) 6-—4, 6—4, 4—6, 6—o. Bartleet ana Laurensqn beat Court (Hawke’s Bay) and Lampe (Wanganui) 6—4, 7—5, ‘ V LADIES’ DOUBLES. , .7*'' < Semi-final.—Misses Valkenburg and Hall (New South Wales)... beat Mrs Melody (Wellington) and Miss Nicholls (Wellington) 6—2, 6—4. Mrs Dykes (Wellington) and Miss Knight (Auckland) beat Misses Lloyd and Hartigan (New ' South Wales) 7—5, 6—4.

COMBINED DOUBLES. : Second round.—Mrs Thomson (Manawatu) and N. R. C. Wilson (Wellington) beat Miss Beverley (Waikato) and Lamne (Wanganui), 7—5, 6—l. Miss Hall (Auckland) and Johns (Auckland) beat Miss Eceles and Piokmoro (Auckland) Tliird round.—Miss Hartigan and Stedman beat Mrs Thomson and Wilson 6—4, 2—6, 6 —4. Miss Nicholls and A. L. France beat Miss Howell and Court (Hawke’s Bay) 6—o, 6—4. Miss Valkenburg and ' Morrison (Auckland) beat Mrs Molesworth (New South Wales) and Griffiths (Auckland) 6—2, 3—o. 6—l. Miss Macfarlane (Auckland) and Sturt (Auckland) beat Miss Hall and Johns (Auckland) 6—3, 2—6, B—6.8 — 6. INTERMEDIATE SINGLES.

Semi-final.—Roussell (Wellington) beat Davys (Wellington) 6—2, 7 —5. ' . BOYS’ SINGLES. Semi-final. —Bedford beat Stevens (Auckland) 6—4, 6 —2.

AUSTRALIAN DAVIS CUP TEAM. MELBOURNE, Jan. 28. J. Clemenger has been appointed captain and manager of the Australian -Dpvis Cup team.