GAME BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 106, 29 January 1935, Page 11

GAME BATTLE

Roussell Defeated By Perry /TENNIS FINALS TO-DAY Englishman at Best In Mixed Doubles SEMI-FINAL HIGHLIGHTS (By Telegraph.—From “Forehand.”) Auckland, January 28. Semi-finals in the main events and finals in the junior events were played to-day in the New Zealand tennis championship tournament. F. J. Perry, England, was seen at his best in the mixed doubles, when, v.-ith Miss S. Whittaker, Australia, he belt N..G. Sturt and Miss Marjorie Marfarlane, Auckland, C-0, 5-7, 6-0. Perry did not fool, but played seriously, and the win in the second set by the Aucklanders was full of merit. Miss Marjorie Macfarlane meets Miss Dulcie Nicholls, Wellington, in the final of the women’s singles, and Perry plays A. A. Kay, Australia, in the men’s singles final. The finalists in the men’s doubles are Kay and R. W. Ewin, Australia, against Perry and D. G. France, Wellington, and in the women’s doubles Mrs. W. J. Melcdy, Wellington, and Miss Whittaker meet Misses N. Beverley (Matamata) and Nicholls. Noel Bedford, Wellington, plays Dewar Brown, late of Wellington, in the final of the men's intermediate singles. In the women’s intermediate singles final, Miss Atargaret Beverley, Matamata, meets Miss Betty Griffiths, Auckland. Ewin Loses Interest. Conditions for to-day’s play were ideal, but the courts were cutting up and bad bounds of the ball were plentiful. In the semi-final of the mixed doubles R. W. Ewin and Miss N. Beverley played badly in the first set hgainst N. G. Sturt and Miss Marjorie Macfarlane, and in the second set Ewin ceased to try at all. The game of the losers was devoid entirely of tactics. If they had ever heard of such a stroke as the lob they certainly never thought of using it. The winners, on the other hand, played with a thorough understanding of each other’s game, and varied their strokes to suit the circumstances. Miss Macfarlane was in great form. So safe was she from the backline and in making openings that Sturt at the net had altogether a happy time of it in volleying and smashing. Miss Macfarlane handled Ewin’s fast _ service with confidence, and drove without faltering across or down the line to within inches of the baseline, and she lobbed perfectly when that was the right shot to play. Ewin was not a heartening partner to have. He gave his partner no encouragement, and his casual manner of ‘‘don’t care whether I win or not” affected Miss Beverley’s game adversely. The result was she missed drives, volleys and smashes. Not a Spectacular Game. The semi-final of the women’s doubles, in which Mrs. W. J. Melody, Wellington, and Miss Shirley Whittaker, Australia, beat Miss B. Knight. Auckland, and Mrs. R, P. Adams, Wellington, was not a spectacular game. All four played too carefully for that. Mrs. Melody and Miss Whittaker won in the third set because in that set Miss Knight played badly, missing so many easy shots that within a few minutes she and Mrs. Adams found themselves down 0-5. Thereafter she improved, and won points with fine interceptions at the net, but the lead gained by the opposition was too big to be overhauled. . Throughout the set Mrs. Adams played very reliably, stroking carefully and making good use of the lob. At the nc< she volleyed carefully or placed overhead, not attempting to smash spectacularly. But Mrs. Melody and Miss Whittaker have developed a sound combination. Hie plain hitting of Miss Whittaker and the cut stroke of Mrs. Melody provide a variety of play that demands care m the return. Mrs. Melody was without any weakness apart from her backhand. Miss Whittaker was soundness itself. None of her strokes carried speed either in smash, volley, service or drive. But she made very few real errors. Easy Volleys Missed. For the first two sets there was little between the pairs, but in the J’f-t five games of the third set Miss Knight, it she did not pat the ball into the net, put others well over the'sideline by' trying impossible shots. 11 was most disheartening to her partner. Miss Knight pulled herself together to help win the next three games, but even then she missed easy volleys in the net. At times throughout the match there wore interesting rallies, all four players being called upon to make difficult recoveries. Mrs. Melody, when she got the chance, was the most decisive player overhead, the others ielying more on placements. Roussell’s Dogged Fight. E. A. Roussell, Wellington, has every reason to be pleased with his showing against F. J. Parry. His game was easily the best of any by whom Perry has been opposed this tournament. Roussell did not hit hard at any stage of the game and that fact probably guided Perry in not turning on the fireworks, for he went for length and placement rather than speed, Also, he was content to play from the backline. What volleying there was was done by Roussell, who very often followed his own service to the net or went in on a deep drive. Although he was often passed cross court or down the lines he earned applause by beautiful volleys at sharp angles. lie served two or three double faults, but on the whole his service was going better than usual. Well as Roussell was playing, and much as he was making Perry run, it was clear that Perry could win the points whenever he cared to put on the pressure. That usually took the form of half volleying, or low volleying to the opposite corner, after he had played his previous shot straight down his nearest sideline. Perry’s Backhand Attacked. Roussell attacked Perry’s backhand a great deal and that proved quite good tactics. If Roussell put shots short he was nearly caught on the wrong foot with beautiful placements of concealed direction. Perry sent up many lobs, but Roussell’s smashing was not good. Perry also used the drop shot, but Roussell, running up after it, often turned the tables on his opponent with an even better short one. The court was cutting up a lot. and there were many bad bounces, Perry being affected most because he plays the ball so early. Roussell showed courage and _ fighting ability in his game, and everything that he had any prospect of getting to he went for. He covered the court fast, and never played a shot wildly, although be took some balls that appeared to be going out. Since the tournament his whole game, and with it his confidence, lias risen greatly. NO.. MATCH FOR KAY Sturt, Auckland, Defeated After the first few games, N. G. Sturt, Auckland, was no match for A. A. Kay, of Australia, who, stroking perfectly, had Sturt racing all over the 'backline. Except occasionally Sturt’s cramped fore-

baud was not going nearly so well as against Denis Coombe. The reason was that Kay never gave him a .hance to play them. Djjviug deep to the corners, he would go into the net to volley, and nothing Sturt could do could keep him from that position/ Both served well, but the service of neither gave the other any trouble. . . Kay showed a finished play in point of the ease with which his strokes are produced. He prefers to hit the ball about waist-high, and he does not clear the net by much. He covers the court fast, find if cornered sends up perfect lobs One is never certain that one has him. Also he has a very long reach, and the disconcerting habit of playing the ball for a winner when his opponent has thought the ball past him. Fine Women’s Singles Battle. Nearly everybody who plays Miss Marjorie Macfarlane tries to play her at her own game—a baseline one. Miss Beryl Knight was no exception to the rule. She has a stroke equipment that Miss Macfarlane cannot pretend to, but in a purely baseline duel she is not a match for Miss Macfarlane. Both forehand and backhand Miss Macfarlane plays with mechanical accuracy. Her strokes are set and she cannot alter them, whatever the is why if anybody, after driving deep, drops one short, Miss Macfarlane, rushing in, usually drives into thenet or well over the backcourt. Miss Knigh., who at her best is a brilliant all-court player, and well able to volley and smash from the net, only tried for the net. position at odd times, and never once tried to play short to drag Miss Macfarlane from the net. In the first set she led and had chances to lead 4-2, but would not stir herself to take them. She ultimately lost the set when a shot from Miss Macfarlane hit the net band and crawled over where she could not reach it. Miss Macfarlane on Defensive. In the second set she resorted to a net attack, causing Miss Macfarlane to rush her shots. By these means she led 5-2, was down love-40 in the next game, but won it for the set. In that set Miss Macfarlane was forced on the defensive, auJ was often outclassed. In the third set Miss Knight kept to the baseline, and very soon was down love-4. Miss Macfarlane made her chase about incessantly. Then she took the next two games. In the seventh game on her own service she led 40-love. Again because she chose to hang back she lost the game. Then she took the net to end Jong rallies, and won the eighth game with placed volleys, Miss Macfarlane funning with speed and making wonderful saves. By a mixture of long baseline drives in which both players were fully extended, and then a dash to the net by Miss Knight, Miss Knight snatched another game. She tried a few chops with not much success. Despite the advantage of a net attack, Miss Knight again stayed back for the tenth game, and paid the penalty by losing the match. Miss Macfarlane deserved great credit for her splendid fighting from first to last. She will fight out the final with Miss Dulcie Nicholls. Men’s Doubles Knott and Sturt found the Australians far too severe for them in the semi-final of the men’s doubles, although they played well to win the second set. The Australians were nearly always masters of the net, from where they did grand execution, Knott particularly being unsteady under the bombardment. Ewin was the weak link on the Australian side, being uncertain in his return of service, and his driving generally. In the fourth set the Auckland combination was driven and smashed off the court. Kay played brilliantly, being the brains of the Australian pair. In the net attacks of Knott and Sturt the former was inclined to hang too far back, and so had to play many of his shots from difficult positions, that is, if he could get on to the ball at all. Ihe Aucklanders were not up to the standard which won them the New Zealand championship doubles in 1926. The result was never in doubt. Aucklanders v. Perry and France. Turner and Clive Johns played very much better than most spectators . expected against Perry and France. They handled Perry’s fast stuff valiantly, and won points by placements and gcod lobs. What made the first.two sets fairly even going was the feet that France was well below form, and netted and outed with monotonous regularity. It had compensating features in that Perry was some, times called upon to show what he really could do to save the side. Then he drove and smashed and volleyed like the champion he is. Johns and Turner were full of fight, and nothing they had a possible hope of returning was left to go unattempted. France this season is indeed fortunate he lias had such a partner as Perry to pull him through. Miss P. Cooke, who beat Miss J. Burns in the girls’ singles, is a reliable baseline player who hits hard for a not commensurately speedy ball. But in Miss Margaret Beverley she met a player who not only had a much faster forehand drive and an attacking backhand but who knew how to volley and smash, and was not afraid to try the net. The Strokes of a Champion. Miss Cooke did not cease to try, but she was playing a losing game all the way, many of the points going her way when Miss Beverley erred from winning positions. Miss Beverley has the strokes of a champion and the confidence to back them up. Pattinson, who is a left-hander, played too varied a game for Penfold, who rered mainly on driving from the backline. Pattinson’s drives were well-placed and he volleyed decisively to the opening. Misses M. Beverley and Cooke were not only a much better combination than Misses J. Burns and Barry, but they made less errors in actual stroking, and played with more dash. Miss Beverley was the strongest player of the four, her volleying and smashing being high class. Miss Burns was safe from the back court, but made too many .mistakes when at the net. Junior Mixed Doubles. Penfold and Miss Barry won the junior mixed doubles from Pattinson and Miss Dickie without much trouble, mamly because the winners were good at the net and Pattinson held too tar back to afford his partner much help. Penfold, although not severe, placed accurately to the openings and dealt effectively with weak returns. COMBINED DOUBLES Perry and Miss Whittaker Win Final Perry played his best game of the day when, with Miss Whittaker, he. won the final of the mixed doubles, beating Sturt and Miss Marjorie Macfarlane. He settled down to serious business early, sending the ball unerringly to the smallest opening or volleying and. smashing with such pace that the opposition could not deal with the ball at all. They won the first set in a few minutes without the loss of a game. Sturt and Miss Macfarlane were completely outclassed. In the second set they played very much better, Miss Macfarlane driving with great length and accuracy to Miss Whittaker and keeping clear of Perry. Sturt, too, played well, his angled drives and volleys many times beating Perry completely. Perry did not help bis side when he ran in front of his partner, who was playing well enough to be left alone. Aucklanders Load. Sturt and Miss Macfarlane went game for game with them, and great was the excitement when the /Aucklanders led 0-5. It was nothing to the exultation of the Aucklanders when they took the next game for the set, Miss Whittaker taking a ball that was going out. Perry was not at all pleased at losing bis first set of the tournament, and did

not forget to point out to bis partner the error of her ways and to saddle her with a wealth of instructions. The set was well deserved, the Aucklanders playing great tennis, Miss Macfarlane actually beating Perry with drives straight down the line. In the third set Perry showed no mercy. He was definitely out to avenge that last set. Sturt and Miss Macfarlane were outclassed and lieaten six games in a row. Perry dashed all about the court, completely demoralising the opposition with the pace and placement of his volleys. Short lobs ho killed, the ball bouncing high into the grandstand. DETAILED RESULTS By Telegraph—Press Association. Men’s Singles SEMI-FINALS. F J. Perry (England) beat E. A. Roussell'(Wellington). (1-4, 0-2, 6-2; A. A. Kay (Victoria) beat N. O. Sturt (Auckland), 0-4, 0-4, 6-2. Women’s Singles SEMI-FINAL. Miss Marjorie Macfarlane (Auckland) beat Miss B. Knight (Auckland), 0-4, 2-0, 0-4. Men’s Doubles SEMI-FINALS. A. A. Kay and A. W. Ewin (Victoria) beat L. G. Knott (Australia) and N. G. Sturt (Auckland), 0-1, 4-0, 0-2, 6-4; F. J. Perry (England) and D. G. France (Wellington.) beat A. K. Turner and V. C. Johns (Auckland), 6-4, 6-2, 0-1. Women’s Doubles SEMI-FINAL. Mrs. W. J. Melody (Wellington) and Miss S. Whittaker (Australia) beat Miss B. Knight (Auckland) and Mrs. H. I’. Adams (Wellington), 6-3, 3-0, 0-3. Combined Doubles SEMI-FINAL. N. G. Sturt and Miss Marjorie Macfarlane (Auckland) boat R. W. Ewin (Australia) and Miss N. Beverley (Matamata), 0-4, 6-2. FINAL. F. J. Perry (England) and Miss S. Whittaker (Australia) beat N. G. Sturt and Miss Marjorie Macfarlane (Auckland), 6-0, 5-7, C-0. Boys’ Singles FINAL. R. G. Pattinson (West Coast) beat C. F. Penfold (Canterbury), 0-2, 6-4. Girls’ Singles FINAL. Miss M. Beverley (Matamata) beat Miss P. Cooke (Auckland), 6-4. 0-1. Girls’ Doubles FINAL. Miss P. Cooke (Auckland) and Miss M. Beverley (Matamata) beat Miss J. Burns (Wellington) and Miss It, Barry (Canterbury), 0-3, 5-6, 6-3. Junior Combined Doubles SEMI-FINAL. C. F. Penfold and Miss It. Barry (Canterbury) beat W. Hooper (Manawatu) and Miss J. Burns (Wellington), 6-5, 6-3. FINAL. C. F; Penfold and Miss R. -Barry beat R. G. Pattinson (West Coast) and Miss M. Dickie (Taranaki), 0-4, 0-4.