HARD GAMES IN NORTH ISLAND SEMI-FINALS

Chronicle (Levin), 30 December 1947, Page 6

HARD GAMES IN NORTH ISLAND SEMI-FINALS

NEW PLYMOUTH, Dec. 29. Tennis by New Zealand's top players, including members of the ' Davis Cup team and the New Zealand champion, was wituessed by more than 700 spectators in the North Island champion6hips at the Hawera Cjub's courts today. The seini-finals of the men's and women 's singles championships were contested and although there were no surprises, none of the games was taken easily. After a marathon flrst set, the Davis Cup player J. E. Robson (Otago) beat O. M. Bold (Lower Hutt) who travelled with the Davis Cup team, in a semifinal of the men's singles, 10 — 8, /6 — 2. While Robson had a better selection of ehots, Bold seemed faster and succeoded in returning shots wliich from the spectators' point of view, 'seemed iinpossible. Against the New Zealand champion R. S. McKenzie (Newtown), G. Rodonicli (Auckland) was not expected to shine in the other semi-final. He was not overwhelmed, liowever, and took four games in two sets. Rodonicn worked hard but McKenzie had too many shots and too much polish for him, winning 6 — 1, 6 — 3. Although she won her semi-ffnal in two' sets, Miss M. Beverley, New Zealand women 's singles champion, did not have everything her own way with Miss B. Potter (Auckland) Avho is also listed with the top six New Zealand women players. I11 both sets the games were strongly contested and in both cases Miss Potter held her opponent to 4 — 4. There was no doubt that- Miss Beverley was too good and she won 6 — —4, 6 — '—4:. In the other women 's semi-fmal Miss E. Attwood (Auckland) was too good for Miss M. Kerr (Otago). Miss Attwood made no mistake and won fairly comfortably 6 — 1, (5 — 3. The courts were m excellent order and the weather was siilendid. It is expected that the fmals of all championships will be held tomorrow.