LAWN TENNIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 275, 12 April 1913, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

ill NOTES MJ) COMMENTS. A. B. Jones and H. Rice, members of Australasia's Davis Cup team, left Sydney on Saturday by the Ventura for New York. They were accompanied by Mr. E. W. Hicks, secretary, of the Australasian Lawn Tennis Association, who will act as manager of the team. They will be met in New York by S. N. Doust, the selected captain of the team, and the preliminary round against America is to take place at the West Side lawns, New York, on June 0, 7, and 9. The last contest between Britain and America was held on the West Side lawns, when there was a record attendance of the public. The West Side Club has a membership of 500 players, and has 15 grass courts and numerous hard courts. The club has also all the conveniences for an up-to-date tournament.

It would not be out of place to briefly sketch the history of the players who have been chosen to uphold the honour of Australasia in the forthcoming contest against 'America. S. X. Doust, the captain of the team, has really made his name as a tennis player more in England than in Australia. He played first for New South AVales in 11)04 agajnst Victoria, and has represented the same State on five occasions since. He has, however, boon in England since 1908 almost continuously, save for a brief visit to Victoria, when he annexed the Victorian singles championship. In England for the last three years he has thoroughly established himself as a first-class plaver. and to-day is .considered aihout the best double player in England. It is probable that he and Jones will play together, for both plavers have somewhat similar methods, and both pl.iv the dashing volleying game. As a single player. Doust has wonderfully improved, and bis recent performances in England and on the Continent place him we]] up amongst the plavers taking part in both English and Continental tournaments.

A. B. Jones has gradually worked himself to the fore, and is now stronglr supported in Sydney as the best allround player in Australia outside of Brookes. He is just 27 years of age, and is a player that is likely to improve wonderfully with the great opportunities the present trip will give him. Horace Rice, the third member of the team, learned the foundation of his game at the old Devonshire Street Club. Surrey Hills, Sydney, in the early 90's. He represented New South W'ales in I 1594, nnd since that time he has scarcely missed a match against Victoria, and todav his record stands at 28 matches, the Tiext highest being Brookes and Dunlop, 119 matches each. In singles he won the New South Wales championship in 1900, and again in 1907, the Victorian championship in 1001. and the Queensland •championship in 1901, 1907, 1911 and 1912.

As previously indicated, this year's New South Wales championship was by A. O'H'ara Wood. His opponent in the final was J. 0. Anderson, the Svdnev schoolboy champion. Notwithstanding the fine form shown by Wood of late, he had his time fully occupied in stavimr off Anderson's attack in the final. Th" match went the full flee « n ts. and the last set was taken bv Wood through his superior knowledge of the same. Anderson's record tin's y»n.r savs a grp«t deal for the future tennis of Australia.

Miss Stewart, the Victorian ladv champion and last year's New Zealand '■> dv champion, carried all before her in the New South Wales championship. ?he defeated in turn Miss Waxman, and Mrs. Beatty. and in the challenge round 'disposed of Mrs. Ford in a decisive fashion, fi—3, (I—l. Her game was too severe and too accurate for her opponents. New JXilanders will recall the fine match which eventuated in the final 1 of the New Zealand chamnionship at fbrisMinrch between Miss Steward and M>'«s Gvav. (he present New Zealand and Auckland champion. The New South Wales dn"bl»s ehnnniionsliin «lsn wrnit ]'.-\ Mi« Rtnvn-t. v-ho with M ; =s Wil)'!''.ms defentpj Vrs. Ford an] M'ss fYd- | linis in the challenge round. fl—7. 7—5.

The New Plymouth Club will close its season as far .■>.« its grass courts are confcnied. 'this ;ifternoon. Jlf sufficient nr-iiliprs attend, a progressive match will eventuate.