LAWN TENNIS

Evening Star, Issue 20060, 28 December 1928, Page 10

LAWN TENNIS

[By Recoedeb.]

When these notes appear the various Christmas tournaments will be over, with the exception of the New Zealand championships, which should just be reaching the interesting stage. The four semi-finalists should bo BartlceL Limrenson, Mali’roy, and A. L. Franco, though each ot these players will have a sti."' match on his way to the semifinal. Thus Bartleet has to meet Angus (Christchurch) in tho third round, while Lanronson finds Steelman, tho New Zealand university champion, hairing his way. It is possible that youth may prevail in both of these games. Stuart should prove Alnliroy’s hardest match in the eliminating rounds, while D. G. Glanvillc, who performed well against tho Englishman, will extend A. France. F. U. Chisholm, the Otago University'player, was due to meet J. N. Low'-v, a brother of the cr-T. tm-. in (he first round. If he was playing up (o form Chisholm should have won this match. Tho writer is still of the opinion that. Mai IToy has an excellent_ chance of carrying oIT the singles this year. His most likely opponent in the final is Bartleet, 1 hough Laurensoii, Angas, or Stedman may be found opposing the young Wellington player. Northern players arc confidently predicting a win for Airs Adams over Aliss Speirs in tho ladies’ singles, pointing out that the Canterbury player never displays her best form out of Christchurch. Certainly Miss Speirs did nob do herself justice on the last occasion that the championships were held _ at# Auckland, but she has been playing well this season, and should retain her title. THE UTAGO CHAMPIONSHIPS. Though tho entry for the New Year tournament is not up to the usual Easter entry, the matches next week should ho full of interest. In the men’s championship singles interest has been added hy the entry of APDonald, Meredith, and Leaker (Southland), and Shaw, who represented North Otago ;v couple of seasons ago against Otago, defeating Dnthic in that match. The# semi-finalists will probably he found to he Bray, Guy, li. G. Boddy, and S. G. APDougail. Of these four. APDougall has been playing the most consistently, ami may win his first Otago singles championship. The doubles championship is likely to see the Easier finalists. Boddy and Fulton and APDougall and Black, onco mure meeting in the final. The result is in doubt, and the Hoslyn pair may turn the tables on their opponents this time. 01 the other pair.-, Trogoar and llawlinson and the Pearce brothers seem the most likely to effect a surprise. The ladies’ singles should provide some excellent matehe.s, and AJiss Pattison will he extended to win. Aliss While is at present top of the ladder hero, having a victory over Aliss Paltison to her credit in a challenge match, [ and she may win her first Otago singles championship in Ilii.s’ event. She has been knocking at the door lor several seasons, and it would be a popular win. In the first round she meets Airs Watson. who as Aliss E. Ballantyne was playing excellent tennis a couple of seasons ago. She has not had much serious practice lately, and this may toll against her, but she is quite capable of effecting a surprise. Aliss Fleming ran Aliss Patlison close last Easter, and should do so again if they meet. She has been playing hi'stclass tennis this season, and has victories to her cridit over Misses Partridge and Scott. Possessed of as good a service as any lady in New Zealand, she is quite capable of winning this event. Aliss D. Hart must, be considered in this event, for she is , laying a sound game just now. In her la*t match she inflicted mi Aliss Fleming the only defeat she has siilferod Ibis season to tho time of (i-.'i. M she can reproduce this form she will lie a dangerous contender. THE SOUTHLAND CHAAIPIONSIHPS. This tournament was favoured with poricct. weather in I lie openi iui -luges. Several Dunedin players added interest in tho matcho, while an old iavourilo in D. Dobie was also down from Wellington. There were no surprises on the first# dav, though S. APDougall had In play all out to deloat J. Hughes, 0--1, S-6. 11. . uni .or had - close, shave at the hands of Dr Baird, tho popular medico appearing to have tho match in hi- hands with a -1-1 lead in the third set. Sumpter stuck to his guns to win 7-5. G. Sumpter is playing well, and many favour his chances in the singles. In the handicap doubles Fulton and APDougall, owing a stroke every second game, ran to S-love against Lindsay and Johnstone, the South hind champions, before Hie latter got going, finally winning 0--!. In the ladies’ events the semi-finalists wore Mrs Scott and Aliases Melvin, Alalonoy, and Hinkley (N.E.V.). Airs Scott moots Mis.s Melvin in the final.

Always play with Ayres - Championship tilitcblcss Tennis Balls, user! by all the best player*. Selcclcd as the official ball of iba Otaco Lawn Tennis Association Ibis season, British and best.—[AtM.J