TENNIS MATCHES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26638, 8 December 1947, Page 2

TENNIS MATCHES

FINE EXHIBITION AT LOGAN PARK J. E. ROBSON IN FORM A gallery of about 150 people saw some excellent tennis at Logan Park on Saturday afternoon, when three exhibition matches were played. Chief interest centred in the appearance of J. E. Robson, Otago’s Davis Cup player, who played in all three matches.' The intensive training he has been doing on grass in preparation for the New Zealand championships and other major touranments was reflected in his form in the first few games, when his timing was not always as good as might have been expected, but the spectators were treated to a superb display of positional play, and his volleying was excellent. Robson won both Singles sets from his opponent, J. Paterson, the present Otago Singles champion, and there were some thrilling rallies throughout the exhibition. Paterson played immediately after contesting a strenuous competition match, and appeared a little jaded, but made some remarkable recoveries, and at times forced Robson into errors. The Davis Cup player excelled in volleying, and some of his angle placements gave Paterson no chance of recovering. The long and accurate driving of both men was another feature of the best display of the afternoon. The scores of 6 —3 6—4 were a good indication of the run of the play. In the Men’s Doubles Robson was partnered by D. Radford and Paterson by J. C. Robertson. The latter pair settled down quickly, and, with Robson having trouble with his timing, nad no difficulty in winning the first set 6—l. Paterson was particularly effective at the net, and Robertson showed excellent courtcraft with angle shots and good positional play. In the second set the position was reversed, and Robson and Radford won by the same margin as they had lost the first.

The same high standard was not maintained in the Mixed Doubles, where both Robson and Miss M. Kerr and Radford and Miss M. Robertson made numerous errors. Conditions, however, had become difficult by this stage, with light rain falling continuously, and the court becoming slippery under foot. Miss Robertson was further handicapped by having to play with a broken string in her racket. Robson and Miss Kerr had the best of things throughout, both being particularly effective at the net.