LAWN TENNIS

Otago Witness, Issue 4030, 9 June 1931, Page 34

LAWN TENNIS

MELBURY TOURNAMENT (From Olr Own Correspondent.) LONDON, April 23. In the semi-final round of the singles at the Melbury Club tournament, played on April 17, in very boisterous weather, I. Aoki (Japan) defeated C. E. Malfroy (Wellington) by 7 —5, 3 —6, 6—3. It is remarked by The Times that Malfroy might well have won this match, as he had a lead of 4—l in the first set, but he was unable to keep his advantage. Malfroy played some beautiful shr ts, his stop volleys being usually successful, but he could not stay through in the third set, and his opponent was severe in his ground strokes. The final round was contested by Aoki and J. S. Oliiff, the former winning, 3—6, 6 —l, 6 —3. This was a match of contrasting personalities as well as of contrasting styles. Aoki won because he did not allow himself to be upset by the delays and was able to take control of the game when Olliff’s attention was diverted.

The Times regrets that “ Oliiff cannot keep on playing well over a longer stretch. He seems to fall away at crucial moments and almost lose interest in the match. Aoki was well content to let him gain the lead in the last set; that proved his undoing.” In the doubles the two Japanese players, I. Aoki and R. Miki, were partners, and C. E. Malfroy was partnered by 0. Wright. In the third round Malfroy and Wright deefated R. K. Tinkler and E. M. Buzzard (6 —3, 13 —11), but in the semi-finals the Japanese pair disposed of the New Zealander and his partner (6 —3, 6—3). Aoki and Miki won the doubles from Austin and Oliiff (6 — 2, 9—7).