LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 502, 8 May 1909, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

(BY INTER-CIJUB.) The New Zealand team, after doing so well in the inter-Stato match against New South Wales, seemed to bo " off colour" at tho start of tho Sydney Club's tournament. The first shook was the defeat of Miss Nunneley at tho hands of Miss Stewart, of Viotoria. The Victorian player took : tho first set amidst great surprise, fi—3, and it was only by great exertion, that the New Zealander could hold her own in the next, which she took at 6—4. In the final sot Miss Nunnelcy soon led—2—love— and looked liko winning, yet it is just at this stago that the tactics of her. opponent forced tlioinsolvcß upon spectators. She got all Miss Nunneley's winning shots back, until the latter, in .desperation, attempted to put in an extra severe shot, whioh, in nearly every case, "netted" or wont just out. At "three all" the pair were level, and although tho next game was anybody's to the last: moment, tho length of it killed the New Zealander's chance of winning. "Deuce" was called nine or ten times, and on six occasions Miss Nunneley only wanted an ace to !win, but Miss Stewart was as steady as a rock, and won. She also took the next two games, giving her tho set and matoh. It appeared that Miss Nunneley lost her confidence, and cailed to change nor game when she found that her tactics were being foiled by tho clever Melbourne player. . Miss Powdrell struck form about tho Wednesday, and retained it. Her performance was truly a brilliant one, for she not only defeated Misses Lee and Travers, but also accounted for Miss Addison, the champion of Viotoria, and Miss Stewart, the other fino Victorian player. . She played with the Victorian ladies on the Friday, and had very little breathing spell between: the two matches. Miss Baker, tho New South Wales ohampion, had to submit to her on' the Saturday, .Miss Powdrell winning easily in the ohallenge round. The Taranaki lady's performance is a remarkable one, and proves beyond doubt that sho is our most brilliant player. The. Victorians—Misses Addison and StewaH —proved themselves . head and shoulders superior to tho Now Zealand pair—Misses Nunneley and Powdrell—in tho doubles, and tho latter pair could only secure a game or two. Both Victorians pressed home' their attack through their ability to volley, and had their opponents defending on tho base line all the timo. Miss Wellwood did not play up to fonn in her match against Miss Addison—in fact, the latter simply, did as she liked. The Hastings player could only get one game. ■ Miss Travers i.was beaten by Miss Podwrell in : a hard-hitting match. The champion could not be passed, and got everything back splendidly. The loser put up a fine fight' in the' second set,' and almost made it, 5 all. Mrs. Goldio sprung a surprise on the Victorian player, Miss Yuule, and took the first set easily by hard vigorous play. The failing light troubled tho visitor towards the end of ■ tho • second set, when'she looked like winning,'and Mi6s Yuillo took the final set easily. . , ; Misses Jones and Payten beat Misßos Wellwood and Ward after the latter, pair had gained the first set, and seemed, to havo a chance in t tho second one._ Both Now South Wales ladies volleyed splendidly. Miss Pay ten: followed; her service to the net, and nonplussed the New Zealanders by her magnificent volleying. Unfortunately,. New South Wales' hopes' : of again having Miss Payten, to defend against allcomers have been, crushed, as sho took ill on tho Friday, and the doctors have ordered her to give up the game. The littlo lady was Aus-. tralasia's most brilliant player, and .her play was an.eyeopenerto the New Zealanders. Even then she was not at her best. Heart trouble is said to bo the cause of her breakdown. She had to withdraw from the events for which sho was entered when it looked almost a'oertainty that they would be won by her. Tho New Zealanders played well through tho handioaps. Miss Powdrell beat Misa Nunneley 6—3, 6-2, and Miss Wellwood won from Mrs.' (ioldio after a three-set match, G—4, 2—6, 6—3. Miss Powdrell continued to play well, and earned a 6plendid victory by going right through; tho event. She thus annexed both singles. In the mixed doubles, Addison and Miss Yuule, of Victoria, beat Stowe—an English player, who is an officer on one of . the ■warships—and Mrs. Goldio, after a' Bevero match, 6—4, 12—10. . Turton and- Miss Travers' also had a".long fisht against Browne and; Miss Thomas, of Victoria, the first set,.being -very' prolonged.' Theiformcr pair.won,;.6-3,' Mrs.,GoldiC.' and Miss Gray delighted their supporters by winning match . after match in the doubles, and it looked as though they would fight, it out against Misses Powdrell and Nunneley. but'the Victorian pair, , Misses Addison and Yuille • came through and beat the first-named pair in tho final. - ~ . . Tho exhibition' match between Brookes and Miss Nunneley against Addison and-Miss. Addison was .treated .as a serious matoh. Miss Addison played a splendid gamo right through, and Miss Nunneley also showed that sho knew how to play in combined doubles. Brookes fravo a groat exhibition, his variety of strokes being: most wonderful. He served in great style, and nearly always won on it. Addison, who''is vcrv tall, served splendidly, and smashed with great force. The Victorian pair mado it-."set all" by taking the second set, and led, 5-3, in the fiual, but Brookes and Miss Nunnolev plaved up and won, S —6.: , The New Zealanders, who have been, royally treated, leave for homo, to-day. ■' : ■