LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1330, 6 January 1912, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

[Br "Footwdlt."]

CHAMPIONSHIP SCENES. Wellington Provincial Championship and Handicap Tournament, at Day's Bay, January 20, 22, 23, 1912. Wairarapa Championships and Handicap Tournament, at Maslerton, on January 20 and 22, 1012. Dannevirke Lawn Tennis Club's Annual Tournament, at Dannevirke, January 15, Hi, 17, and 18. Down South at Christchurch. Competitors at this meeting had indeed a lot to contend against besides their opponents. The dressing-rooms were bad, tile courts were worse, and tho weather was worst; but the players (as all true sports should) made tho best of bud conditions. Olio could not help admiring ■the pluck of some of the lady players, who battled on bravely in the rain iu spite "of the fear of ruining new- rackets. One careful player was seen trying to shelter her racket in the folds of her skirt in the intervals of ploy. Tho meeting was made more interesting than usual by tho prescncc of so many outside players, and, though there was plenty of good play, it would certainly liavo been of a much higher standard had tho weather been more favourable. G. Ollivicr showed* fine form, and has improved his play in a remarkable degree. This is no doubt duo to the good practice which lie has obtained by playing as fourth man with the American visitors in their doubles practice. His service is splendid, and he Quickly follows it up to the net, so that, when his opponent does succeed in returning it, he is able to smash the return in a most decided fashion, lie is certainly the best man that New Zealand can produce at the present time. The best fight put up against him was by Kidston, who -is a hard, forceful player, who tries for everything and makes some very clover returns. O'Hara Wood, and Others. Another player who attracted a good deal of attention was A. O'Hara Wood, of Victoria, who is regarded as one of the most promising players in Australia, and who is expected to take Brookes s place in a few years' time. In defeating K M. B. Fisher, he played a splendid game, his long, gliding shots exciting admiration. 11l playing G. Ollivier, he seemed somewhat nervous, and did not do as well as he might have done. S. It. Quill, who has recently returned from England, where (as well as a lot of tournament play) he devoted himself to solid work witli tho professionals at Queen's Club, has naturally improved lus go mo under such skilful tuition. He showed good form, his smashing at the net being very elfective. l'\ 11. B. Fisher was not playing up to form, and seemed to tire easily. J. C Peacock did not make as good a stand in defence of the championship as was expected. In the doubles, however, tliei-o two players gave a better account of themselves, and played well against Beals Wright and M'Loughlin. The ladies' style of play has changed a great deal from that resorted to a few years back. There is far more net play and less of the hard driving game to tho back line. That Sydneyicnnu—Miss P. A. Stewart. Miss P. A. Stewart, the clover Sydney player, in winning the Ladies' Championship Singles, thoroughly deserved hor victory. Her play is something to watch, and one cannot help at times exclaiming: "Marvellous!" after seeing some of her splendid shots. She plays mostly at the net and smashes with tho accuracy a.nd vim of some of our best men players. She tries for everything absolutely, and secures some seemingly impossible returns. Many and many were tho rounds of applause that greeted tho play of this genial competitor whoso,smile was always in ovidence —no matter how critical the moment. She may best bo described as a thorough "sport." Miss A. Gray, of Auckland, was nearer to victory thaii she has been before. She has greatly improved : her; play, and her net work 'was" splendid. Sho had a lot of hard work as she readied tho final of two events and the semi-final of one. Her match with Miss Stewart in the final of the Ladies' Singles was one of tlio most closely-contested and e&citing matchcs of the tournament.

Miss Travel's played a splendid game iu the final of tho combined with F. M. B. Fisher, her driving being exceptionally good. She was another player who was kept going, as sho was winner iu two events. MisS Nunneley, and Others, t Miss Nunneley was not showing anything like her old form. Her drive seems to have lost tho sting that once characterised it, and made it so fatal. This is probably accounted for by tho fact that the nerves of her arm have become over-strained, and prior to the tournan.ent sho had been undergoing a course of massage. ' Miss E. Daird, of Hastings, plavs a very steady game though her drives have not yet the fores of tho more experienced players. Her. net work is good and when sho overcomes tho nervousnoss that sho evidently suffers from she will do much better. Miss Hartgill, of Dannevirke, is a player of the right stamp, f.lie has a Stinging drivo and it is easy to sec that sho will one day be a leading player. Events in Prospectu, The Dnimcvirke Lawn Tennis Club will hold their annual tournament ou January 10, 17, and 18, and also on Monday, tho loth, for those who are able to bo present. Seven fine courls, the quality of which has been vouched for, will bo available. The dates have been put forward so as not to clash with the Wellington Provincial Championships. The secretary of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association Mr. A. J. Petheriek must ho complimented on tho verv able maimer in which he discharged lus onerous duties in connection with tho tournnment, his ever-ready willingness to assist players *nd in arranging the hours of plav in order that spectators were assured "of witnessing interesting contests. Tuning up the Day's Bay Courts. Tho Day's Bay courts are being closed for play after to-morrow until tuo Provincial Championships take place. The courts are to receivo careful attention and everything that is possible to mako tho tournament a success is being done. Playe.rs should therefore rest assured that a repetition of the bad state of the Lancaster Park courts will not take pl^co. Tennis Goods from Slazeriger's, Sheffield, anil Russey—tlio best makers. Geo. Den* ton, 53 Willis-Street.—Advt.