LAWN TENNIS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 54, 1 February 1938, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS

DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS. BATTLE FOB COOMBE. ' Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Jan. 31. The annual New Zealand lawn tennis championships were commenced at the Stanley Street courts to-day in fine weather and there was a fair attendance of the public. The entry is a very representative one as the competitors come from as far south as Otago. Play was confined solely to the playing of singles matches, two rounds taking place m the men’s section and one in the event for ladies. The success of J. W. Gunn over N. G. Sturt was a surprise, the former winning by three sets to one. D. C. Coombe and N. F. Bedford (both of Wellington) were taken to five sets by M. T. Wilson/.and W. E. Butler respectively. A. C. Stedman, former New Zealand champion, won his match comfortably while O. Angas, twice holder of the championship, lost a set to L. G. Knott, formerly of Auckland but now in Australia. The biggest surprise of the day was the defeat of the Canterbury champion, Miss T. Poole, by Miss Marjorie Macfarlane, a former holder of the title. Miss Macfarlane played poorly throughout the Auckland tournament, but her display to-day was in keeping with the form which has won her numerous titles throughout the Dominion. Miss Poole played good tennis and she was the first to congratulate the winner upon a really fine exhibition. Among the junior players none made a greater impression than the Canterbury girl, Miss IC. Armstrong. Although beaten by a much more experienced opponent, Miss Armstrong demonstrated the shots of a champion. RESULTS IN DETAIL. Detailed results were, all being Aucklanders except where otherwise stated: MEN’S SINGLES'. First round.—C. A. Pearce (Wellington) beat P. Ward (Wairarapa), 6 —2, 6 —4, 6 —o; R. W. Smith beat J. J. Stevens, 6 —3, 7—5, 6—l; J. D. Lewis beat It. D. Sharpe (Hawke’s Bay), 4 6—2, 6—2, 3—6, 6—l; C. Angas (Canterbury) won by default from W. T. Pountney; L. G. Knott (Australia) beat D. Clow (Wairarapa), 6 —3, 6 —4, 3—6, 7—5; E. A. Roussell (Wellington) beat E. LI. Orbell, 6—o, 6—2, 3—6, 6 R. McL. Ferkins (Wellington) beat S. 9. Hooper (Manawatu), 6 —l, 7 6—2; N. V. Edwards (Wellington) beat J. Bull, 7 —5, 6 —4, 7 —5; O. Bold (Wellington) beat D. Richardson (Poverty Bay), ,2 — 6. 6 —3, 6—o, 6 4; R. G. Pattinson (Canterbury) beat M. L. Lampe (Wanganui), 6—l, 6—2. 6—2; M. It Andrews (Waikato) beat J. N. Lowry (Hawke’s Bay). 7—o, 6—4 7—5; E. Dickie (Taranaki) beat J. D. Mitchell, 6—o, 6—4, 6—B, 6—B, 6 —4; 0. Satchell beat B. M. nor (Wellington), 3—6, 6—2 /—5, 6—l; J. W. Gunn won from R. Matusclika (Waikato), by default; N. G. Sturt beat J. Roach (Waikato), /—o, 5 2 o—2'; M. Ferkins (Wellington) beat’ L. Roach (Waikato), 4—6, 6—l, 3_6 6 —2, 6— 2; D. Livingstone (Waikato) beat R. Lees (Matata), 6—4, 3 6. C—3, 6—2; R. J. Wentzel (Waikato) beat E. C. Falconer (Otago) 6 6—2, I—6, 6—x ;A. D. Brow n beat F'. H. Renouf (Wellington), 6—l. 6—l, 6—l; A. J. Dimae (Taranaki) beat M. F. Lees (Matata), 6-4 6- 5, 4- 6-1; J. C. Chartcrs beat IL 1-i VITf. P?nffl'(Sterb™> beat TC. W. Dyer (Wellington), 9 G o c p 2 6 - 3 • D. G. France (W elSmith beat J D. Lewis, 6r-2, 5-w, 6—4 6—l; C. Angas beat L Lfrv£ W Gunn beat N. G. Sturt. 60, > » B. tivinpto„o Ferkins, 4—6, 6 1, i g_o. S” F SJJ fWeW..i> fcf' ry B. Butler, 4-6, 6-4 6-8, - o c q. t T Mayson beat A. Poi--6-2; D. C. Coombe Ueat A. J. Dickie, B—6, 8 6, 7 WOMEN’S SINGLES. ■First round.—Miss M. MacFarlane won from Miss J. Hubb (Australia), by default; Miss D. Miller (North Otago) beat Mrs R. H. Milburn (Hawke’s Bay), .6-0, 6-1; Miss J. Hansen beat Miss A. Giaham (Tara nald), 6-3. 6-2; Miss N Beverley (Waikato) beat Miss J- Forrester 6—o 6—o; Miss M. Hodges beat Miss’J. Betts (Wairarapa), 6—l, 6—l; Miss B. L. Bishop beat Miss D. Dickey (Canterbury), 6—4, 6—2; Miss E. Stewart beat Miss J. Beclford (Wellington) 3, 6_ ri ; Miss J. E. Ramsay beat Miss KArmstrong (Canterbury) 7—o, 2—b, 7_5- Mrs N. V. Edwards (Wellington)’beat Mrs Morris, 6—3, 0-0; Miss I. Poole (Canterbury) won from Miss V. Brown, by default; Miss M. Glenny (Hawke’s Bay) beat Miss M. Dickie (Taranaki), 4—6, 6—2 6— o; Miss P. Cooke beat Mrs D. Or. France (Wellington), B—6, 6— 4; Miss It. Taylor beat Miss B. Griffiths, 6- —1, 6 —4. Second round—Miss M. Macfarlane beat Miss T. Poole (Canterbury), 6—3. 4—6, 6—3. , „ , , Mrs B. L. Bishop (Auckland) beat Miss E. Stewart (Auckland), 6—3, 6 4 ; Miss Irene Poole (Canterbury) beat’Mrs N. V. Edwards, 6—l 6—l; Miss D. Miller (North Otago) beat Miss J. Hansen (Auckland), 6—3, 6—l • Miss E. Plummer (Wellington) beat’Miss J. E. Ramsay (Auckland), 6—4, G—4. „ There were no upsets in the first round of the men’s singles, hut much harder matches took place in the second round. Coombe and Bedford both had close calls in 5-set matches. Coombe started slowly against Wilson, and as usual failed to settle down for two sets. Wilson, who beat Coombe in the Auckland championship last year, played particularly well, his forehand stroking gaining him many points. He passed Coombe often at the net. The New Zealand champioti tried to vary the game, but his chop shots were uniniprescsive and Wilson frequently scored from them when they came over. In the fourth and fifth sets Coombe had. the game well under control. and with his opponent tiring he found les? difficulty in clinching rallies. Coombe lias gained much experience from his trip to England and under the surface uses his head to sum up the weaknesses of his opponent. Although many take sels from Coombo, few have beaten him in this country and for courageous endeavour he is a model. Stedman, the 1930 New Zealand champion, met W. R. Hooper in the second round and although suffering from an abscessed tooth, proved too j severe for his less exnerienced oppoponent. Hooper played some excellent I shots, but could riot cope with the speed and accuracy of the ex-champiori.