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Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 860, 2 January 1930, Page 13

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“DEUCE"

Auckland Championships AVretchecl weather conditions marred the provincial championship meeting. The committee had a very trying time arranging matches and is to be congratulated on the manner in which the tournament was conducted. The players displayed a most sportsmanlike spirit all through and were ever ready to carry out the wishes of the committee. They willingly commenced their matches under the worst conditions which have prevailed for many years. * * * Surprises of Tournament The greatest surprise was the defeat of Miss Macfarlane by Miss Ivniglit in tho semi-final. Tho match was played in the early morning and was witnessed by only a few fortunate spectators. On account of the poor form displayed by Miss Knight prior to the meeting no one gave her a chance against the New Zealand champion. Miss Macfarlane could not strike her best game and, owing chiefly to the poor length of her drives, Miss Knight was able to take the offensive and won with consistently well-placed volleys. * * * Mrs. Melody Champion

After defeating Miss Macfarlane local enthusiasts were naturally hoping that Miss Ivnight. would at last be rewarded with the title which has eluded her for so many years. By the time tho final was played she had had a gruelling day. Just previously she had been engaged in a mixed double and after the first set, which went to 19—17, a recoi'd for the tournament, she retired and it seems a pity that she ever commenced this match. Mrs. Melody appeared to be much more fresh and certainly played a great game. Miss Knight’s volleying was a treat to watch. She broke down chiefly on sliced drives. Mrs. Melody seems to be in better form than last year and she will be hard to beat at the New Zealand tourney. * * * Morrison’s Fine Showing Although beaten by Bartleet after a close struggle in the final, Morrison has every reason to be elated with his decisive victories over Stedman and Sturt, whom ho beat without the loss of a set. Bartleet was not up to last year’s form by a long way and it was chiefly his service and match experience which carried him through. Morrison aced Bartleet several times with his fast, straight service. His second service is, however, very weak and he should endeavour to strengthen it even at the risk of serving an occasional double fault. J. C. Charters has the makings of a champion and only requires good, hard practice to place him in the top flight. He is a left-handed player, has an excellent style, his forehand drive and volleying being particularly fine. He did exceptionally well in beating Griffiths and running Bartleet to five sets in the semi-final. E. AV. Griffiths played well in spite of the fact that his leg has been troubling him and has prevented him from getting much practice. His courtcraft and the studied manner in which he plays his shots are an example to younger players. G. Brown played steadily and accurately in the final of the B grade championship, which he won, L-ating E. Tonks by three sets to one. Tonks played sound, tennis throughout the tournament. Condition told against him toward the end of his match in the final. L. T. Pickmere once more demonstrated the effectiveness of p€T.sistently rushing the net and forcing his opponent into errors. His ground shots are not above the average, but his volleying and prowess of anticipation carry him a long way. lie has 1 a good record in championship tennis and has given several of the Dominion’s leading players some anxious , moments on more than one occasion, j N. Hubble is playing much more !

consistent tennis this season. He had a close mutcli with Charters, and at one time looked the winner. One of the most spectacular and interesting games of the tournament was the doubles match between F. W. Lucas and R. Milne and their clubmates, Sturt and Stedman. The gallery* was treated to some first-class tennis in spite of the treacherous condition of the court. It was expected, that Sturt and Stedman would meet little opposition. Toward the end, however, they were in desperate straits and were actually 3—2 down in the final set. Milne played one of his best games, and all of his shots were coming off in the third and fourth, sets. At times, he was brilliant. Lucas play'ed a great game. The lightning way he moved about the court seemed to disconcert his opponents, who frequently fell into errors through rushing their shots. Misses Knight and Whitelaw did well to win the doubles. They had a. good margin in the final against Mesdames Melody and Arneil, last year’s* holders. Miss R. Taylor and Miss B. Griffiths are two very promising juniors. They both have good shots and it is a treat to see them going for winners and despising the pat ball tactics so often resorted to by* juniors in match play. Bartleet and Watkins were a disappointing combination in the doubles and were beaten rather easily by V. R. Johns and Hayr. Hayr play*ed very well, lie has all the shots and with more match play experience should greatly* improve his game. His second serve is hit very nervously and ho should try and gain the confidence to put more sting into it. In fact, it was very noticeable throughout tho tournament that the service was the chief weakness of most of the highergrade players. Bartleet and Griffiths were the only* two who troubled their opponents with the second service. Bartleet finds it easier to hit his second hand and often serves more double faults through coming down in his pace. It was disappointing that more of the good players did not attack the net in their singles matches. There is a tendency always to play safe and let the other man make the pace and fall into errors. This usually* ends in a. game of a pat ball. By taking the net on a good return it forces an opponent to make the pace. It certainly produces more spectacular tennis and livens up the game. No player can hope to bo a champion who lacks the courage to go to the net merely because his opponent has passed him, badly* on several occasions.