1938-04-14 — Page 18

THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 14, 1938.

“H.D.” IN YET ANOTHER EPIC STRUGGLE

Loses Preliminary Advantage And Just Holds Out

MATCH ABANDONED AT 4-ALL IN FINAL SET

COMPLETE REVERSAL OF FORM (By "ADREM”)

"OPEN SINGLES Semi-Final

TSUI WAI PUI MEETS S. A. RUMJAHN TO-DAY

Stand Court Match

An interesting tennis match should be witnessed on the Stand Court, at the H.K.C.C. this after- noon, when Tsui Wai-pui a form er holder and favourite for this year's title, meets S. A. Sirdar Rumjahn, also a former holder, and last year's runner-up, in their top- half "semi-final round encounter.

Other matches in to-day's pro- gramme are as follows:-

Handicap Mixed Doubles H. Owen Hughes and Miss J. Smith (-15.2) or Mr. and Mrs. R. K. Va- lentine (scr.) v. B. O'M. Deane and Miss J. Armstrong (-15).

Mr. and Mrs. EL E. Storey (-3.6) V.-T. A. Pearce and Mrs. J. P. Whit- Match abandoned with ham (153) or IF. L. Smalley and

Miss J. Smalley (-5.6).

H. D. Rumjahn (hoïder) v Tsui Yan-pui. scores (Rumjahn first) 7-5, 6-4, 3–6, 2–6, 4–4.

+

with dire results. Rumjahn's pass- ing shots were superb and made

THE

HE fact that this match lasted two hours, remain- ed unfinished after that time because of failing light and went to the fifth set, was not the most re- with such confidence and accuracy markable feature of this dour struggle on the that Tsui was made to look very Stand Court.

amateurish.

rollering and Rumjahn had tired to such an extent that he was un- able to pull out his passing shots with the same speed, although it was noticeable that for the most part they went where they should have gone.

Uphill Battle

Although he managed to hold his service in the final set, Rumjahn was obviously fighting an uphill battle and the strain of the long? struggle was beginning to leave its marks. Tsui rabbed it in still further by utilising his drop shots, which by now were working well- the

was

nigh perfectly. Such position that Rumjahn could “not

afford to let them go, and, in the final stages, he appeared to be in a

the

condition bordering on collapse. Recovery Indicated

At 4-all, Mr. C. J. Tacchi, the However, in the closing stages of umpire, called the match off, as the RATHER IT WAS THE COMPLETE REVERSAL OF FORM the second set, there were indica-light was them so bad that OF THE TWO PRINCIPAL FIGURES. ON THEIR SHOWING tions of a Tsui revival and when flight of the ball was extremely YESTERDAY, ONE WOULD NOT HAVE RECOGNISED- EITHER he reduced a 1-4 deficit to 3-4.difficult to follow. Mr. P. THE YOUTHFUL TSUI YAN-PUI OR THE VETERAN H. D. before losing the set at 4-6, spec- Baskett, Hon. Secretary of the RUMJAHN AS THE PLAYERS IN ACTION A FEW DAYS PRE-tators began to speculate on his H.K.C.C. stated that it would be re-

prospects of prolonging the battle played at an early date.

VIOUS.

As is now local tennis history, "H. D." against Willie Hung last Thursday, won his match through sheer determination. There is little more that can be said about his game, which was a shadow of its one-time consistent brilliance.

YCI

that

In the third set, games went with It should be mentioned service until the fifth, when Tsui Rumjahn served very well through- made a break through to lead for out. the first time since early in the first set. After that he went away to go out at 6-3.

!

Even then, Rumjahn's supporters

A Suggestion

On the other hand, Tsui Yan-pui, | quickly gave up all idea of hitting

- In conclusion, a suggestion to the in beating Paul Kong, a seasoned his drives and contented himself were not unduly worried. He was Cricket Club authorities with re- player with years of experience be-with attempting to keep the ball in by far the more consistent of the gard to umpires. There were hind him, gave the impression that play, whilst maintaining a more or two players and appeared to have numerous errors yesterday, very the day was not far distant when less respectable length. As an oc-heaps in reserve. When the fourth often at vital stages, due to the fact he would oust his brother from that casional variant, he introduced into set proved a repetition, however, that there were insufficient lines- eminent pinacle he now occupies as a driving rally a poorly executed and Tsui won it at 6-2, the odds men and it is sincerely to be hoped the acknowledged Hong Kong ten-drop-shot which, more often than changed rapidly.

that in future matches, this matter nis player No. 1.

not, acted as a boomerang and re- The CRC player had by this will be rectified, as it was in the sulted in a point for Rumjahn “ time, found his touch with his last set yesterday.

Assumed Ascendency

Comparable to Best Ever

Yesterday "H.D." displayed form comparable to his best ever, in the The latter after winning the first first two sets, when he was virtual-set, raised his game several points ly unstoppable. Unlike his per- and assumed an ascendency that formance in his previous outing, made all thought of other than a his forehand drive which failed him straight set victory in his favour, so pathetically on that occasion, (appear quite out of the question. worked like clockwork and although His drives on both hands sought attacked severely in the early out the corners with unerring ac- stages by a man who was evidently curacy as a preliminary for a working on knowledge gained by volleying coup, while his observation, it improved as the volleys on both hands were made game progressed and was ever an with such crispness that outright important adjunct to the cham-winners were the order rather than pion's many attacking movements. the exception.

In complete contrast, Tsui, nor- Tsui, in desperation, tried hard mally so polished a stroke player to stem the tide by aggressive and so adequately equipped to deal means. Banking on his usual sure- with anything, during those two ness with anything off the ground sets which he lost, was uncertain below the shoulder, he went into to the point of embarrassment. He' the net at the slightest provocation

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