TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Chronicle (Levin), 9 January 1947, Page 6

TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

-Press Association

Surprise in Mixed Doubles SEMI FINALS RfiACHED

By Telegrayli-

(J liitik) T Cii U it C4i , Jan. 8. The semi-iinals of'the gingles events L'n tlie New Zealand Lawn Tennis l J h ainp i o n s h ip s were reachod afc Wild mg i'ark today. R. E. Aicivenzie (liutl V'ailey), O. M. Bold (Hutt Valley), rf. Bainler (Wellington) and J. Koach (Waikato) are tlie last four ia the nien's singies and in the women Y singles the semi-iinaiists are Miss M. Beveriey (Waikato), Airs. J. Mc.Vay (Wellington), Mrs. J. iiobb (Hutt Valley) and Miss E. G. Attwood (Auck land). The weather and playing conditions were the best tliis week. There was little sun but the temperature wa? warm and tliore was little wind. The inore iniportant couyts had recovered remarkably weli from theif two heavy soakings earlier in the week and they were still not fast, but they had suliicient pace to give full value to a lirinly-hit sliot. OnJy oue .singles (piarter-final in eacli case wrent to more tlian ti)e miniinuin nuniber of sets. In the nien's event Bold beat N. P. N. Beckford (Auckland) iii a tense nmteh which went the full distance and in the women 's singles Miss Beveriey, ihe defendiiig cliampion, lost the lirsl sel to Mrs. J. Graliam (Hutt Valley > but vvon the second and tliird with the loss of but one game. . lier foi'ehand driviug iu the tliird set was iua.giii • ticent. Bold again plaved with great steadi ness and tenacity to beat tlie brilliant tuil err'atic Bedford who coiiipleteJ.\ doniiualed the game for eousiderable periods willi liis dynamie driving aud c dlleying. Tliese periods, however. were nulliJied by others in which Bedford seemed to lose coiicentratioii. He loo often tried to plav forcing shots ot'f balls which should liave been frealcd vvitli respect.. At other times ku niatle niislakes oi'f what should liave been "sitters''. The imperturbable Bold played liis hard-workiug, liard chasiiig- game with no regard for liis opponents' inconsisl encies. His re"ovories again were au important faetor in liis win and lie also volleyed weil on occasious whcu lte came to Ihe net. McKenzie beat N. V. Bdwards in •druight sets, but they were full of good ptuy with Edwards carrying the attack lo Ihe net e\er more frequeutly than liis opponent, McKenzie was complete ly sure of himsei-f iu all pliases of tlie gaine whether iu driving from the base liue, volleyiiig or producing passing shots in answer to Edwards' volleying al I acks. AJ'Ler an even first set. Painter was loo strong for ii. V. Bobb (Wellington), tle atlacked more c.onsisteiitly tlian iu any other game he has played in tliis I ouruanieiit. h'oach was not extended lo beat ,B. E. Huuter allhough the rallies were ol'teii long. 1 il tlie remaiuing women 's singles Mrs. Robb beat an otd 'fiVuL,"(nqw lier' doubles partner, Mrs. K.' Hart, ih a m.atcli of good driving. . Mfs.| MeVay lieid oif a kl'rong cliallenge'i from the strong. driving of Miss £,T. Hansen (Auckland) .in tlie' seeoiicl set ahd Miss Attwood played a polished and varie'd game Lo beat tlfe ipuiid Otago jplayer,] Mis's' M.; ;Ij -lybrr. '[ • b • ; ! A surpiiis:e in tiJie ' mixeil 'doubles evenl was tlie defeat of MeKenz'ie aud Mrs. McVay, ruuners-up last vear aud second seeded pair in tliis touruanient, by Painter and Miss M. tSuelling. lt was a sparkling matcli iu which Miss iSiielling played right up to tlie slaudard of lier more liighly ranked partner and opponents. Results: —

Men's 53ingics Holder: 11, B. McKenzie, Hutt Valley. (^uurter-fuials: It. B. McKenzie (Hutt Valley) beat N. V. Edwards (Hutt Valley) (i — 3, G — 1, (i — 3; 0. M. Bold (Hutt Valley) beat N. E. N. Bedford (Auckland) 0 — 3, o — 7, .1 — 6, G — 4, (i — -3; J, Koach (Waikato) beat B. E. Houter (Waikato) G — 3, G — 2, G — 2; 18. Painter (Wellington) boat.IE^V. Robb (Wellington) 6—4, 6 — 1, G — 1. Women' s Singles Holder: Miss M. Beveriey, Waikato, Quarter-linals: Miss M. JJeverley (Waikato) beat Mrs. J. Graliam (Hutt Valley) -1 — G, G — 1, 6 — 0; Mrs. «f. McVay (Wellington) beat Miss J. llansen (Auckland) f — 2, G — 4; Mrs. J. Kobb (Hutt Valley) beat Mrs. K. Hart ( ( 'anterbury) 9 — 7, G — 1; IMiss E. G. Attwood (Auekland) beat Miss M. L. Iverr (Otago) G — 3, (i — 1. Men's Doubles

Holders: R. H. McKenzie and N. V. Edwards, Hutt Valley. Tliird round: A. R. Gant and W. J. Hiuith (Canterbury.) beat P. Beerol't and E. 1). Lu.sk X Auckland) 2 — 6, 4 — G, 6—2, (5—2, G— 3. Quarl er-finals: it. B. McKenzie and Nr. V. Edwards (Hutt Valley) beat J. B. Busliell and 8. Watson (Canterbury) (5—3, (5 — 2, G — 4; P. Hniith (^Northland) and J. A. Barrv (Auckland) beat R. McL. Ferkins and R. V. Robb (Wellington), 0 — 4, 4 — G, 4 — 6, G — 3, G— 2; iCairt and Hmith (Canterbury) beat E. D. White lind T. W. Callander (Canterbury) G — 2, 2 — G, G — 4, 6 — 1; J. E. Kobsou (Otago* and O. M. Bold (Hutt Valley) beat -T, Roaeh aii|l L. P. Roacli ( "Waikato ) G — lj 8 — G, G — 1. Mixed Doukles Holders: J. W. Guiin, Auckland, and Miss M. Beveriey, Waikato. Quart er-finals: 8.- Painter and Miss M. Hnelling (Wellington) beat R. 8. Ylclvenzie (Hutt Valley) and Mrs. J. McVay (Wellington), 4—6, 6 — 4, 6 — 4; .!. W. Gunn (Auckland) and Miss M. Beveriey (Waikato) beat N. V. Edwards and Mrs. I. M. Edwards (Hutt Valley) 9—7, 6—2. Men's Plate First round: D. E. Dempsey (Auckland) beat ,T. W. Neale (Wellington) 6—4, 9—7. Second round: A. W. Tills (Auckland) beat 0. Thomas (Taranaki) 6 — 1, (5 — 0; J. E. Hamilton (Wellington) beat J. Rogan (Auekland) 6 — 2, 6 — 3; E. D. White (Canterbury) beat W. 8. Huekstep (Auckland) 6 — 1, 6 — 4; R. McL. Ferkins (Wellington) 4 beat K P. Roach (Waikato) 7 — 5, 8 — 6; P. Becroft (Auckland) beat J. C. Robert-| •son (C-ta^c) 2—6, 8 — 3, .6 — 4j J. E,

Robson (Otago) beat A. L._ Seott (Otago) 6— 0, 6—1; M. J. Souter (Canterbury) beat P. E. Dempsey (Auckland) 6—4, 6—3, R, Rudkin (Otago) beat E. D. B. Lusk (Auckland) by default. Women 's Plate First routid: Mrs. I. Gyles (Hutt Valley) beat Miss M. Coeliran (Canterbury) 6 — 0, 6 — 2; Mrs. M. Green (Wellington) beat Miss A. Reese (Canterbury) 6—3, 6 — 4; M,i'£,T M-. Kennedy (Hutt Valley) beat Miss M. E. Adam (Soutli Canterbury), 6 — 2, 6 — 8, 16 — 14; Miss M. Spackman (Otago) beat Mrs. L. Hatheidey (Cauterbury) by default; Mrs. M. Beatson (Nelson) beat Mrs. 8. Holt (West Coast) 6—2, 6—1. Second round: Miss J. MacGibbon (Canterbury) beat Mrs. E. Campbell (Hutt Valley) 7 — 5, 6—3.