COLONY TENNIS
THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 26, 1939.
FIRST SEMI-FINAL
SEMI-FINAL PROVES
DULL AND
DREARY
Rumjahn Good In Spasms But Physically Incapable
LEE WAI-TONG'S
MISFORTUNE: MAY HAVE TO CONCEDE WALK-OVER
(By "ADREM”)
As matters now stand, it appears most likely that Lee Wai-tong, China's soccer idol and one of the best drawing cards in the Open Tennis Tournaments, will have to conceder a walkover to Tsui Yan- pui in the singles semi-final.
Lee is due to sail in the Presi- dent Cleveland to-morrow evening. Originally his match against Tsui had been fixed for this after- noon but the downfall of rain this morning definitely washed that out, me this Mr. Monaghan told morning, however, that if the wea- ther permits, an effort will be
made to play the match off to-
morrow.
com-
S. A. Rumjahn, going for a high one yesterday.
White, who
Tsui Wai-Pui First Finalist In Current Tournament
(By "ADREM")
TSUI Wai-pui yesterday became the first finalist in the Colony Tennis Championships for this year when he beat S. A. Rumjahn over four gruel- ling sets on the Stand Court by scores of 9—7, 2—6, 6-1, 6-3.
Although some flashes of real brilliance were seen, the match, as an exhibition of tennis was a trifle disappointing.
Without trying to detract in any way from the excellence of Rumjahn's display, I really feel that Tsui could have won far the more quickly and without loss of a set had he been so in- clined.
Rumjahn, long before that pro- longed first set had been completed, showed definite signs of bellows to
of
If no tennis is possible to-Shield for Ladies Interport hockey.mend and it appeared to everyone morrow, Lee says he will be pelled to concede a walk-over as he cannot delay his departure for Manila under any circumstances.
Shanghai Racing Man In Colony
Kowloon Cricket Club have acquired a tennis player who should be of distinct use to them in the forthcoming League programme.
He is "Gussy" White, well-known locally as the donor of the White
year,
OTHER RESULTS
Club Championship
H. J. Armstrong beat T. J. Gould, 1-6, 6–2, 6–4.
Club Handicap Doubles E. E. Storey and J. J. Fergu- son (5.6) beat E. Laidlaw and A. C. Beck (scr.), 6-0, 6-14.
T. C. Monaghan and V. R. Gor- don (3,6) beat J. W. Mayhow and L. Brown (-1.8), 3-6, 8-6,
Club Mixed Doubles
that his only chance will be here for a present,
64. tennis carrying the issue beyond three sets is a good all-round player with a sound backhand. and was to win that first set. powerful overhead. He is a pos- sible candidate for a place in the "A" Team.
Mr. and Mrs. L. Goldman (-15) beat T. A. Pearce and Miss D. Dodwell (-15), 1–6, 6–1, 7–5.
And yet, with Tsui obviously in com- plete command of the situation, he al- lowed Rumjahn to win the second set quite easily. He made no effort to go for anything not right on his racket, He is a keen racing man and owns
It is possible that the loss of the set. winner, however, just failed to find its made no a stable of five or more ponies. He was to Tsui a matter of tactics. Hav-mark, and Tsui, reprieved, has, at various times, won the ing regard to Rumjahn's fighting fin- further mistake and taking the lead for Shanghai Champions and Derby andishes in the past, he probably, once he the first time at 7-6, eventually went own one of this year's favourites felt sure of his ability to dictate terms, out at 9-7.
felt it advisable to make sure that his for the latter event.
HOME FOOTBALL
London, To-day.
the In the Southern section of Third Division Southend beat Notts County by one goal to nil.-Reuter.
CALDBECK'S RECIPE
FOR A
"PLYMLET"
2 parts Plymouth GIN
1 part ROSE'S LIME JUICE
1 part WATER
Serve with ice and a slice of
lemon and stir well.
Tsui Wai-pui, in action yester- day, about to execute a backhand drive.
The second set was the surprising one. Tsui made no effort to win it and although Rumjahn did play some nice shots it was generally felt that he would never have met with success had Tsui not allowed him to.
Rum-
The third set was terrible! jahn appeared so anxious to lose points that I was quite certain ho was bank- ing on the 10 minute interval to bath, change and generally prepare himself for a big struggle afterwards.
these
Tsui, however, gave the impression that he suspected Rumjahn of tactics. He appeared as little anxious to win points as his opponent. One can well imagine the brand of tennis served up!
Disdained Rest
To everyone's surprise, Rumjahn dis- dained more than a couple of minutes rest after the set had been won by Tsui at 6-1 and went straight on.
Early in the fourth Bet he gave promise of making a fight of it, Hit- ing hard from the start and again making sorties to the net, he went to a 3-1 lead and might very well have increased it to 4-1.
But at this stage Tsui woke up! He opponent would have no physical re- produced passing shots at will and sources in reserve if the issue was car-rarely failed to score points when he ried to the final set.
took the net.
he
In any event, Rumjahn's exhibition Once Rumjahn was overhauled in the last two sets was pathetic. On gave up the unequal struggle and Tsui occasions he forgot his physical limita- won five games in a row, finishing off tions and went chasing in for impossi- the match with a spectacular smash ble shots as he was celebrated för do- from the baseline to bring the unequal ing as recently as two years ago. The spectacle to a timely close. net result was added. weariness. never won the point.
First Set GoodTM
He
Tsui always gave the impression that ho had heaps in reserve. His ground strokes were, as ever, firm and accur- ate-his volleying sure, and woe betide anything tossed up that was not 100 per cent, accurate-he smashed it right"off the court.
Only occasion when the tennis did reach great heights was in the first set, Although neither player was prepared to risk very much, they went for open
Services Mediocre ings when they could be made.
Rumjahn settled down rather more Rumfahn's smashing was also good quickly than Tsui and his forehand while he had the strength to come drive was finding the side-lines with down on the ball and his forehand drive consistency. Like Ho Ka-lau, the pre- reliable. His most spectacular shot vious day, he banked all on a quick re- was a beautiful cross-court passing sult. He took a lead right away and shot which went across court to nick gradually increased it until he was 5-2 the sideline,
up.
Both players' services were very me- diocre and served to do little more than put the wall in play.
Tsui then won the next three games in a row to equalise. Rumjahn had his big opportunity of clinching the set Taui will now, meet either his brother when, 0-5 up, he had a set point. Alor Lee Wai-tong in the final."