[Rollo]

1940

Dates: January 19-29
Venue: Lawn Tennis Ground, Rushcutter Bay, Sydney
Surface: Grass

---------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=19)

1st Round

Gwen O'Halloran [7] d. M. Manzie 6-0 6-0
Alison Hattersley [6] d. Mary Chapman 6-1 6-2
Edie Niemeyer d. Mrs K. Gosbell 6-2 6-4

2nd Round

Nancye Wynne [1] d. Betty Griffiths 6-0 6-0
O'Halloran [7] d. Olive Stebbing 6-1 9-7
Joan Hartigan [5] d. Meg Brooker 6-1 6-2
May Hardcastle [4] d. Audrey Lewin 6-2 18-16

Thelma Coyne [2] d. Joan Burke 6-0 6-1
Connie Coate [8] d. Joyce Lack 6-2 6-8 6-3
Nell Hopman [3] d. Joan Clarke 6-0 6-1
Hattersley [6] d. Niemeyer 6-1 4-6 8-6

Quarterfinals

Wynne [1] d. O'Halloran [7] 6-0 6-3
Hartigan [5] d. Hardcastle [4] 6-2 6-3
Coyne [2] d. Coate [8] 6-1 6-3
Hopman [3] d. Hattersley [6] 6-3 6-4

Semifinals

Wynne [1] d. Hartigan [5] 6-0 3-6 6-1
Coyne [2] d. Hopman [3] 6-4 2-6 6-3

Final

Nancye Wynne[1] d. Thelma Coyne [2] 5-7 6-4 6-0

---------------------------------------------

Junior Girls Final: Joyce Wood d G. Fischer 6-2 6-1

---------------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=11)

1st Round

May Hardcastle/Nell Hopman [2]-bye
Rosemary Rees/Kath Woodward-bye
Joan Hartigan/Edie Niemeyer [4] d. Mary Chapman/Pearl Searl 6-1 6-3
Doris Mauger/Gwen O'Halloran d. Clare Proctor/Thelma Rice default

Nancye Bolton/Thelma Coyne [1] d. Joan Clark/Joyce Lack default
Vivienne Berg/Dorothy Jenkins-bye
Alison Hattersley/Olive Stebbing [3]-bye
Connie Coate/Audrey Lewin-bye

Quarterfinals

Rees/Woodward d. Hardcastle/Hopman [2] 9-7 3-6 6-4
Hartigan/Niemeyer [4] d. Mauger/O'Halloran 7-5 6-2
Bolton/Coyne [1] d. Berg/Jenkins unknown default
Hattersley/Stebbing [3] d. Coate/Lewin 6-2 6-1

Semifinals

Hartigan/Niemeyer [4] d. Rees/Woodward 7-5 6-4
Bolton/Coyne [1] d. Hattersley/Stebbing [3] 6-2 6-3

Final

Nancye Bolton/Thelma Coyne [1] d. Joan Hartigan/Edie Niemeyer [4] 7-5 6-2

---------------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=16)

1st Round

Joan Hartigan/Viv McGrath [2] d. Alison Hattersley/Les Hancock 6-4 6-4
Olive Stebbing/Jim Gilchrist d. Rosemary Rees/Max Newcombe 6-4 6-2
Nancye Wynne/Colin Long [4] d. Gwen O'Halloran/Fred Bennett 6-1 6-3
Edie Niemeyer/Bill Sidwell d. Kath Woodward/Max Bonner 6-3 6-4

Nell Hopman/Harry Hopman [1] d. Clare Proctor/Ronald Cummings 6-2 6-4
Mary Chapman/Don Turnbull d. Connie Coate/Harold Whillians 6-2 6-3
Audrey Lewin/Roy Felan d. Thelma Rice/Arthur Huxley default
May Hardcastle/John Bromwich d. Joan Clark/Robert Henry default

Quarterfinals

Hartigan/McGrath [2] d. Stebbing/Gilchrist 6-3 6-2
Wynne/Long [4] d. Niemeyer/Sidwell 6-3 6-3
Hopman/Hopman [1] d. Chapman/Turnbull 6-4 6-2
Hardcastle/Bromwich d. Lewin/Felan 6-2 4-6 6-1

Semifinals

Wynne/Long [4] d. Hartigan/McGrath [2] 4-6 6-4 6-3
Hopman/Hopman [1] d. Hardcastle/Bromwich 9-7 5-7 6-2

Final

Nancye Wynne/Colin Long [4] d. Nell Hopman/Harry Hopman [1] 7-5 2-6 6-4

---------------------------------------------

Draw notes:

Mrs K. Gosbell "a Sydney hardcourt representative".
M. Manzie (NSW)--junior

GeeTee mentions Mary Matters, but here name is not in the draw.
---------------------------------------------

Summary:

The absence of defending champ Emily Westacott weakened the field. She intended on competing but was ill several weeks leading up to the event.

Controversy began before the event, as some lack entries were rejected, while Nancye Wynne's late entry was accepted. Charges flew in the press about "irregularites". Most of the tempest involved male players, but as a star Wynne was drug into the furor, which went on for almost a week prior to the championships. As a "drawing card" many felt Wynne got favorable treatment.

Two early round matchups: #4 seed May Hardcastle being extended by Audrey Lewin 6-2 18-16. The 34 game set may be a record for the Aussie in women's play. In te second round Edie Niemeyer led #6 seed Hattersley 5-0 in the third. With victory in sight she choked-eventally losing 8-6. Edie failed to capitalize on at least 4 match points.

Thus all 8 seeds reached quarters. Supposedly, there were "no surprises" other than Hartigan defeating Hardcastle. Hattersley narrowly survived Niemeyer and her deadly forehand, drawing up from 0-5 down in the third (and 4 match points at 2-5) to stage a brilliant comeback.

Thelma Coyne who always had trouble with Nell Hopman scrapped through in a see-sawing semifinal 6-4 2-6 6-3. Wynne, except for a lapse of concentration in the second set, hit with great pace and accuracy to defeat Hartigan 6-0 3-6 6-1.

The final was played in excessive heat and humidity. Numerous fans were seen in sunglasses-a new vogue. According to the Sydney Herald Nancye started with "a flood of errors." Coyne won the first set 7-5, after having to leave the court for a few minutes at 5-4. She reached 3-0 in the 2nd and seemed set for victory, but her stamina began to fail her. Wynne pulled up to 3 all; Coyne went to 4-3, but that was final effort. Wynne lifted her play against her flagging opponent and took the last nine games to win 5-7 6-4 6-0.

Wynne got in trouble for "slugging" a ball into the galleryin anger, which happened to land near the Governor of New South Wales. The President of the LTAA rebuked her, and said that if the team about to tour New Zealand had been an official one, she'd have been debarred. Nancye said she had meant no harm, but the Brisbane Courier declared she had hit her racquet on the ground many times in frustration and once kicked a ball 50 feet after losing a point.

In doubles Rees and Woodward hit a "purple patch" to oust the #2 seeds.

---------------------------------------------

Sources:

The Sydney Morning Herald
Thanks to Andrew Tas for the results and Austinrunner for the seeding.

[Article on the late entry controversy]
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/141818772

[On Nancye's angry moments in the final]
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/40871672

 

[Rollo]

1941-45

No competition due to World War Two.

 

[Rollo]

1946

Dates: January 19-29
Venue: Memorial Drive, Adelaide
Surface: Grass

---------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=23)

1st Round

Nell Hopman [2]-bye
Mary Bevis-bye
Alison Hattersley [6]-bye
Marie Toomey-bye
Thelma Long [3] d Sybil Sheidow 6-2 6-1
Edie Niemeyer d Josephine Spehr-Jones 6-1 6-3
Joyce Fitch [8] d Marjorie Stevens 6-2 6-2
Joyce Traeger d Dot Moran 6-2 6-3

Nancye Bolton [1] d Doreen Cock 6-1 6-1
Clare Proctor d Val Pellew 6-2 6-3
Dulcie Whittaker [7] d Barbara Cane 6-0 6-1
Pat Jones-bye
Joan Hartigan [4]-bye
Dorn McGill-bye
Connie Wilson [5]-bye
Gwen Thiele-bye

2nd Round

Hopman [2] d Bevis 6-4 6-4
Toomey d Hattersley [6] 5-7 7-5 6-3
Long[3] d Niemeyer 6-1 6-3
Fitch[8] d Traeger 6-0 6-1

Bolton [1] d Proctor 6-2 6-2
Whittaker [7] d Jones 6-2 6-4
Hartigan [4] d McGill 4-6 6-4 6-2
Wilson [5] d Thiele 6-4 6-4

Quarterfinals

Toomey d. Hopman [2] 6-2 4-6 6-3
Fitch [8] d. Long [3] 6-2 6-4
Bolton [1] d. Whittaker [7] 6-2 6-2
Wilson [5] d. Hartigan [4] 6-2 8-6

Semifinals

Fitch [8] d. Toomey 7-5 6-4
Bolton [1] d. Wilson [5] 6-2 6-1

Final

Nancye Bolton [1] d. Joyce Fitch [8] 6-4 6-4

---------------------------------------------

Junior Final

Shirley Grant d. Norma Reid 6-3 6-0

---------------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=11)

1st Round

Nancy Bolton/Thelma Long [1]-bye
Pat Lewis/Sybil Sheidow-bye
Pat Jones/Clare Proctor d. Joan Gent/Marjorie Stevens 6-0 6-3
Joan Hartigan/Alison Hattersley [4] d. Dot Moran/GwenThiele 10-8 6-2

Mary Bevis/Joyce Fitch [2] d. Barbara Cane/Joyce Traeger 6-1 6-2
Marie Toomey/Connie Wilson-bye
Dorn McGill/Edie Niemeyer-bye
Nell Hopman/Dulcie Whittaker [3]-bye

Quarterfinals

Bolton/Long [1] d. Lewis/Sheidow 6-2 6-0
Hartigan/Hattersley [4] d. Jones/Proctor 6-2 4-6 8-6
Mary Bevis/Fitch [2] d. Toomey/Wilson 6-4 6-4
Hopman/Whittaker [3] d. McGill/Niemeyer 6-4 6-3

Semifinals

Bolton/Long [1] d. Hartigan/Hattersley [4] 6-2 6-3
Mary Bevis/Fitch [2] d. Hopman/Whittaker [3] 6-2 5-7 6-1

Final

Mary Bevis/Joyce Fitch [2] d. Nancye Bolton/Thelma Long [1] 9-7 6-4

----------------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=17)

1st Round

Nancye Bolton/Colin Long [2] d Val Pellew/David Davidson 6-0 6-2

2nd Round

Bolton/Long [2] d Gwen Thiele/Bill Sidwell 3-6 6-1 6-3
Joan Hartigan/Bob McCarthy d Edie Niemeyer/Pat Callaghan 5-7 6-1 6-3
Mary Bevis/Geoff Brown d Marie Toomey/Ken Slater 8-6 6-2
Clare Proctor/Don Turnbull d Dot Moran/Lionel Brodie 6-1 6-4

Joyce Fitch/John Bromwich [1] d Dulcie Whittaker/Peter Molloy 6-2 7-5
Connie Wilson/Max Newcombe d. Dorn McGill/Eric Maidens 3-6 6-4 6-4
Pat Jones/Jack Harper d. Alison Hattersley/Jack Heathcoate 8-6 4-6 6-3
Nell Hopman/Harry Hopman d. Barbara Cane/Tom Warhurst 6-2 3-6 6-4

Quarterfinals

Bolton/Long [2] d Hartigan/McCarthy 9-7 6-2
Bevis/Brown d Proctor/Turnbull 6-3 6-4
Fitch/Bromwich [1] d Wilson/Newcombe 6-1 6-2
Hopman/Hopman d Jones/Harper 4-6 8-6 9-7

Semifinals

Bolton/Long [2] d Bevis/Brown 6-4 5-7 6-4
Fitch/Bromwich [1] d Hopman/Hopman 6-1 6-3

Final

Nancye Bolton/Colin Long [2] d. Joyce Fitch/John Bromwich [1] 6-0 6-4

----------------------------------------------

Draw notes:

The draw is in exact draw order.

All names, male and female, are known.

Doreen Cock=Mrs Ray J Cock. Nee Doreen Fleet.
The Melbourne Argus uses "Claire" (not Clare) Proctor. They are in error.
HT Warhurst=Tom Warhurst

----------------------------------------------

Summary:

No foreigners in the field, not surprising with World War II having ended a few months before the event.

Nancye Wynne (Bolton), Connie Coate (Wilson), and Thelma Coyne (Long) all got married during the war. Bolton's husband was killed in an air raid over Cologne, leaving her alone to raise daughter Pamela.

When competitive tennis resumed after the war only Bolton of the old brigade survived the quarterfinals in Adelaide. Long, Hopman and Hartigan all lost in quarterfinals. In the semis Bolton defeated Wilson 6-2 6-2 while Fitch using the lob to great effect beat Toomey 7-5 6-4.

Fitch battled hard in the final despite her weaker array of shots. Her speed around the court and ability to retrieve Bolton's fiercest shots kept her in the match, but Bolton prevailed 6-4 6-4.

Total attending was 35,000. Played in terrific heat, the temps reached 105° F in the shade!


----------------------------------------------

Sources:

Special thanks to GeeTee for help with the draw.

Australian newspapers from Trove used.

 

[Rollo]

1947

Dates: January 17 to 27.
Venue: White City Courts, Rushcutter Bay, Sydney
Surface: Grass

----------------------------------------------

Singles (Main Draw=32)

Qualifying

Lavinia Mills d Nancy Rudge ????

1st Round

Nancye Bolton [1] d Dorothy Jenkins 6-1 6-2
Dawn Fogarty d. Barbara Laurie 6-1 6-0
Mary Bevis [7] d. Gwen Bryant 6-1 6-1
Gwen Thiele d. Lavina Mills [Q] 6-0 6-3
Sadie Newcombe [4] d. Marcia Weimers 6-0 6-0
Marie Toomey d. Anne Chamberlain 7-5 6-2
Pat Jones [5] d. Verna Ashford 7-5 3-6 6-2
Noel Martin d. Sybil Sheidow 6-2 9-7

Thelma Long [2] d. Beryl Hobbs 7-5 6-2
Joan Hartigan d. Fay Chamberlin 6-2 6-2
Connie Wilson [8] d. Dawn Kent 6-1 6-1
Clare Proctor d. Joyce Traeger 6-4 6-2
Joyce Fitch [3] d. Phyllis Finn 6-2 6-3
Dulcie Whittaker d. Joan Charlier 6-1 6-2
Nell Hopman [6] d. Esme Ashford 6-0 6-1
Alison Hattersley d. Helen Taylor 6-2 6-4

2nd Round

Bolton [1] d. Fogarty 6-2 6-3
Bevis [7] d. Thiele 6-2 6-2
Toomey d. Newcombe [4] 3-6 6-3 6-4
Jones [5] d. Martin 6-2 6-2

Long [2] d. Hartigan 6-0 6-1
Wilson [8] d. Proctor 8-6 9-7
Fitch [3] d. Whittaker 9-7 6-4
Hopman [6] d. Hattersley 6-2 6-3

Quarterfinals

Bolton [1] d. Bevis [7] 6-3 6-1
Jones [5] d. Toomey 7-5 2-6 7-5
Long [2] d. Wilson [8] 6-2 6-4
Hopman [6] d. Fitch [3] 6-2 2-6 6-0

Semifinals

Bolton [1] d. Jones [5] 6-2 6-1
Hopman [6] d. Long [2] 6-4 6-1

Final

Nancye Bolton[1] d. Nell Hopman [6] 6-3 6-2

----------------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=16)

1st Round

Nancye Bolton/Thelma Long [1] d. J Hughes/S Solomon default
Joan Hartigan/Alison Hattersley d. Fay Chamberlin/Greta Schultz 6-0 6-2
Pat Jones/Clare Proctor [4] d. Phyllis Finn/Helen Taylor 6-1 6-1
Marie Toomey/Dulcie Whittaker d. Beryl Hobbs/Dorothy Jenkins 5-7 7-5 6-1

Mary Bevis/Joyce Fitch [2] d. Esme Ashford/Verna Ashford 7-5 3-6 6-4
Dawn Fogarty/Norma Martin d. Sybil Sheidow/Joyce Traeger 6-1 6-0
Nell Hopman/Connie Wilson [2] d. Joan Charlier/Betty O'Donnell 6-2 6-1
Gwen Bryant/Dawn Kent d. Sadie Newcombe/Gwen Thiele 2-6 7-5 6-4

Quarterfinals

Bolton/Long [1] d. Hartigan/Hattersley 6-2 6-3
Jones/Proctor [4] d. Toomey/Whittaker 7-5 4-6 7-5
Bevis/Fitch [2] d. Fogarty/Martin 0-6 6-3 6-1
Hopman/Wilson [2] d. Bryant/Kent 6-4 6-2

Semifinals

Bolton/Long [1] d. Jones/Proctor [4] 6-3 6-3
Bevis/Fitch [2] d. Hopman/Wilson [2] 6-2 4-6 6-1

Final

Nancye Bolton/Thelma Long [1] d. Mary Bevis/Joyce Fitch [2] 6-3 6-3

----------------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=20)

1st Round

Helen Taylor/Bob Howe d Beryl Hobbs/Don Rocavert 3-6 6-1 6-3
Gwen Bryant/Jim Matthews d. Dulcie Whittaker/Harry Jurd 6-4 7-5
Nancye Bolton/Colin Long [2] d. Gwen Thiele/Harry Rode 6-4 6-1
Marie Toomey/Bill Sidwell [4] d. Dawn Fogarty/Eric Maidens 6-1 6-2

2nd Round

Joyce Fitch/John Bromwich [1] d Verna Ashford/Harold Skennar 6-2 6-2
Esme Ashford/Jack Gilchrist d Noel Martin/Pat Callaghan 7-5 6-2
Dorothy Jenkins/Bob McCarthy d Nell Hopman/Bill Talbert (US) [3] default
Taylor/Howe d Bryant/Matthews 7-5 6-4

Bolton/Long [2] d Phyllis Finn/Roy Phelan 7-5 6-2
Pat Jones/Jack Dart d Marcia Weimers/Albert Donlon 6-3 6-4
Mary Bevis/Tom Brown (US) d Sadie Newcombe/Eric Stewart 6-2 7-5
Clare Proctor/Frank Sedgeman d Toomey/Sidwell [4] default

Quarterfinals

Fitch/Bromwich [1] d E Ashford/Gilchrist 6-3 6-1
Jenkins/McCarthy d. Taylor/Howe 6-3 7-5
Bolton/Long [2] d. Jones/Dart 6-4 6-3
Bevis/Brown d. Prcotor/Sedgman 6-4 6-0

Semifinals

Fitch/Bromwich [1] d Jenkins/McCarthy 6-1 7-5
Bolton/Long [2] d Bevis/Brown 7-5 6-0

Final

Nancye Bolton/Colin Long [2] d. Joyce Fitch/John Bromwich [1] 6-3 6-3

----------------------------------------------

Draw notes:

Mrs Maurice Long=Thelma Long (nee Coyne)
Noel Martin (according to Sydney Herald) is from Queensland. The Aussie site uses "Norma". The Herald goes on to relate how she is a schoolmistress for the Prebsbyterian Girl's School in Warwick.
Mrs R Mills of Queensland=Lavina Mills, nee Singleton
Mrs Max Newcombe= Sadie Newcombe (nee Berryman)
Mrs Ray Thiele=Gwen Thiele
Wiemers from Queensland
Mrs Jim Wilson=

Missing full names for:

Miss J Hughes
Miss S Solomon

----------------------------------------------

Summary:

The old brigade were back in charge in 1947. Hopman made light of her 37 years defeating Fitch 6-2 2-6 6-0. It was Fitch who visibly wilted in the final set. Bolton thrashed Bevis and Long also won through to the semis. The remaining qtrfinal produced one of the greatest recoveries in the history of the event. Pat Jones of NSW came back from 0-5 0-30 in the 3rd set against Toomey to win 7-5 2-6 7-5.

Jones wasn't able to reproduce the miracle against Bolton and Hopman had a surprisingly easy match over Coyne. Hopman tried everything she knew in the final, all to no avail. Bolton took her 4th title 6-3 6-2. The singles finals were windy, with 7,000 coming out to witness the action.

In the mixed Bill Sidwell caused a stir by defaulting in the mixed doubles-an event where he and partner Marie toomey were the #4 seeds. Sidwell cited having to play a the mixed as a second match on the same day. He said he played the first mixed match merely for practice. While officials were aghast at the action, he must have had a measure of understanding from Toomey, who gave her consent to the forfeit.
----------------------------------------------

Sources:

The Sydney Morning Herald

 

[Rollo]

1948

Dates: January 16 to 26
Venue: Kooyong, Melbourne
Surface: Grass

----------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=28)

1st Round

Nancye Bolton [1]-bye
Viola Earle-bye
Norma Martin d. Dulcie Whittaker[6] default
Jill Tuckfield d. Gwen Thiele 3-6 9-7 6-4
Mary Bevis [3] d. Bernice Murphy 6-2 6-2
Joyce McDermott d. Veronica Lihehan 6-0 6-0
Nell Hopman [6] d. Greta Schultz 6-0 6-0
Alison Baker d. Helen Taylor 6-4 8-6

Dorothy Jenkins d. Denise Radford 6-3 6-0
Pat Jones [5] d. Shirley Jackson 6-0 6-2
Dot Moran d. Pat Longton (NZ) 6-2 6-1
Marie Toomey [4] d. I Griffiths 6-0 6-0
Esme Ashford d. Fay Chamberlin 6-2 4-6 6-2
Sadie Newcombe [7] d. Sylvia Johnston 6-1 6-1
Clare Proctor-bye
Thelma Long [2]-bye

2nd Round

Bolton [1] d. Earle 6-0 6-0
Tuckfield d. Martin 7-5 6-3
Bevis [3] d. McDermott 6-2 6-4
Hopman [6] d. Baker 6-1 6-3

Jenkins d. Jones [5] 3-6 6-3 6-4
Toomey [4] d. Moran default
Ashford d. Newcombe [7] 6-0 4-6 7-5
Proctor d. Long [2] default

Quarterfinals

Bolton [1] d. Tuckfield 6-2 6-0
Bevis [3] d. Hopman [6] 7-5 6-4
Toomey [4] d. Jenkins 8-6 6-3
Ashford d. Proctor 6-1 6-0

Semifinals

Bolton [1] d. Bevis [3] 6-3 6-4
Toomey [4]d. Ashford 4-6 7-5 6-4

Final

Nancye Bolton [1] d. Marie Toomey [4] 6-3 6-1

----------------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=15)

1st Round

Nancye Bolton/Thelma Long [1] d. Fay Chamberlin/Mary McFarlane 6-1 6-0
Clare Proctor/Jill Tuckfield d. Shirley Jackson/Veronica Linehan 6-2 6-4
Nell Hopman/Joyce McDermott [4] d. Pat Longton (NZ)/Loris Nichols 6-2 6-1
Dorothy Jenkins/Sadie Newcombe d. I Griffiths/Bernice Murphy 6-0 6-3

Esme Ashford/Alison Baker d. Joan Egar/Josephine Spehr-Jones default
Marie Toomey/Dulcie Whittaker [3] d. Norma Martin/Helen Taylor 6-2 6-8 6-2
Dot Moran/Gwen Thiele d. Gloria Blair/Betty Bligh 6-3 7-5
Mary Bevis/Pat Jones [2]-bye

Quarterfinals

Bolton/Long[1] d. Proctor/Tuckfield 6-2 6-1
Hopman/McDermott[4] d. Jenkins/Newcombe 7-5 6-0
Ashford/Baker d. Toomey/Whittaker[3] 6-0 7-9 6-3
Bevis/Jones[2] d. Moran/Thiele default

Semifinals

Bolton/Long[1] d. Hopman/McDermott[4] 7-5 6-4
Bevis/Jones[2] d. Ashford/Baker 10-8 3-6 6-4

Final

Nancye Bolton/Thelma Long[1] d. Mary Bevis/Pat Jones[2] 6-3 6-3

----------------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=18)

1st round

Sadie Newcombe/Maurice Newcombe d. Denise Radford/Maurice Murrells 6-2 6-1
Dorothy Jenkins/Frank Lonergan d. Bernice Murphy/Roy Harrison 6-1 9-7

2nd Round

Nancye Bolton/Colin Long d. Helen Taylor/Bob Howe 6-1 6-3
Mary Bevis/Arthur Liddle d. Norma Martin/Percy Gaydon 6-3 6-1
Pat Jones/Tom Warhurst d. Jenkins/Lonergan 6-4 6-1
Nell Hopman/Frank Sedgman d. Viola Earle/Norman Wasley 6-2 6-1

Thelma Long/Bill Sidwell d. Shirley Jackson/Ron Reid 6-2 6-1
Joyce McDermott/Eric Stewart d. Jill Tuckfield/Peter Molloy 2-6 6-3 6-2
Esme Ashford/Bob McCarthy d. Gwen Thiele/Keith Rogers 8-6 6-4
Newcombe/Newcombe d Miss Williams/Donald Tregonning 6-2 6-2

Quarterfinals

Bolton/Long d. Bevis/Liddle 6-0 7-5
Jones/Warhurst d. Hopman/Sedgman 6-2 6-4
Long/Sidwell d. McDermott/Stewart 6-3 8-6
Ashford/McCarthy d. Newcombe/Newcombe 6-2 6-2


Semifinals

Bolton/Long d. Jones/Warhurst 3-6 6-4 6-2
Long/Sidwell d. Ashford/McCarthy 6-0 6-4


Final

Nancye Bolton/Colin Long d Thelma Long/Bill Sidwell 7-5 4-6 8-6

----------------------------------------------

Summary:

Ashford one of 3 tennis-playing sisters. Led Toomey 3-0 in 2nd set, and 4-2 in 3rd.

Bolton took her 4th successive title in Melbourne without dropping a set. She returned from overseas with a quarter final finish at Wimbledon and a semifinal at Forest Hills. Louise Brough was her nemesis on both occassions, particularly after Bolton squandered a lead of 5-2 and 40-0 in the 3rd set of the Forest Hills match.

Bolton faced Toomey in the final who was totally outclassed. Her backhand was exposed as inadequate and she could find neither the length, or the direction to keep Bolton at bay. Bolton took only 33 minutes to win 6-3 6-1.

----------------------------------------------

Draw Note:

The Bolton-Earle score of 6-0 6-0 is correct. Wikipedia has an incorrect score of 6-1 6-0.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/22525370?

----------------------------------------------

Missing Names

I Griffiths
Williams (who partnered Tregonning in the mixed) probably=J. Williams a Victorian junior who made the SF of the girls doubles with Jill Warnock.

 

[Rollo]

1949

Dates: January 22 to 31.
Venue: Memorial Drive, Adelaide
Surface: Grass

----------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=30)

1st Round

Doris Hart (US) [1]-bye
Dorothy Moran d. Gloria Mason 6-1 6-1
Dulcie Whittaker [8] d. Sybil Sheidow 6-1 6-2
Clare Proctor d. Gwen Thiele 8-6 6-2
Joyce Fitch [4] d. Fay Chamberlin 6-3 6-1
Alison Baker d. Marg Williams default
Esme Ashford [7] d. Joy Strickland default
Marie Toomey d. Lottie Nottage 6-1 6-0

Nell Hopman d. Rosemary Thomas 6-1 6-0
Sadie Newcombe [6] d. Helen Taylor 6-1 6-1
Judy Warnock d. Joyce Traeger 6-4 6-4
Thelma Long [3] d. Bettie Redwood 6-2 6-2
Bev Mance d. Eileen Richardson 6-3 6-3
Mary Hawton [5] d. Pat Parkinson default
Dorothy Jenkins d. Bernice Bennett 6-1 6-0
Nancye Bolton [2]-bye

2nd Round

Hart [1] d. Moran 6-3 6-2
Whittaker [8] d. Procter 6-4 6-1
Baker d. Fitch [4] 6-3 6-4
Toomey d. Ashford [7] 4-6 6-2 6-4

Newcombe [6] d. Hopman 5-7 6-3 6-0
Long [3] d. Warnock 6-2 6-1
Hawton [5] d. Mance 6-2 6-4
Bolton [2] d. Jenkins 6-1 6-2

Quarterfinals

Hart [1] d. Whittaker [8] 6-3 3-6 6-2
Baker d. Toomey 6-3 1-6 6-3
Long [3] d. Newcombe [6] 6-0 6-3
Bolton [2] d. Hawton [5] 6-1 6-1

Semifinals

Hart[1] d. Baker 6-3 6-1
Bolton[2] d. Long[3] 6-4 6-2

Final

Doris Hart (US) [1] d. Nancye Bolton [2] 6-3 6-4

----------------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=14)

1st Round

Doris Hart (US)/Marie Toomey [2]-bye
Alison Baker/Bernice Bennett d. Pat Parkinson/Joy Strickland default
Joyce Fitch/Clare Proctor [3] d. Bettie Redwood/RosemaryThomas 6-0 6-4
Nell Hopman/Dulcie Whittaker d. Sybil Sheidow/Joyce Traeger 6-1 6-1

Dorothy Jenkins/Sadie Newcombe d. Bev Mance/Marg Williams 3-6 6-1 6-1
Esme Ashford/Mary Hawton [4] d. Helen Angwin/Eileen Richardson 6-3 6-3
Dot Moran/Gwen Thiele d. Fay Chamberlain/Helen Taylor 6-3 6-4
Nancy Bolton/Thelma Long[1]-bye

Quarterfinals

Hart/Toomey [2] d. Baker/Bennett 6-1 6-2
Hopman/Whittaker d. Fitch/Proctor [3] 8-6 6-1
Ashford/Hawton [4] d. Jenkins/Newcombe 6-4 6-1
Bolton/Long [1] d. Moran/Thiele 7-5 6-2

Semifinals

Hart/Toomey [2] d. Hopman/Whittaker 6-3 6-1
Bolton/Long [1] d. Ashford/Hawton [4] 8-6 6-2

Final

Nancye Bolton/Thelma Long [1] d. Doris Hart/Marie Toomey [2] 6-0 6-1

----------------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=22)

1st Round

Joyce Fitch/John Bromwich [2]-bye
Joyce Trager/Don Goodger-bye
Fay Chamberlin/Ian Occleshaw-bye
Marie Toomey/Tom Warhurst-bye
Gwen Thiele/Don Candy d. Bernice Bennett/Trevor Way 6-2 6-2
Dot Moran/Max Bonner d. Dorothy Jenkins/Ian Ayre 6-4 4-6 6-1
Lottie Nottage/Frank Lonergan d. Mary Hawton/Harold Skennar default
Nell Hopman/Harry Hopman [4]-bye

Nancye Bolton/Colin Long [1] -bye
Eileen Richardson/Ray Cock d. Dulcie Whittaker/Donald Tregonning 1-6 6-2 7-5
Clare Proctor/Bob Howe d Rosemary Thomas/John McHaffey 6-3 6-1
Sadie Newcombe/George Worthington d Helen Taylor/Glen Sheil 6-0 6-1
Thelma Long/Arthur Liddle-bye
Alison Baker/Eric Stewart-bye
Esme Ashford/Philip Brophy-bye
Doris Hart (US)/Frank Sedgman [3]-bye

2nd Round

Fitch/Bromwich [2] d. Traeger/Goodger 6-1 6-1
Toomey/Warhurst d. Chamberlain/Occleshaw 6-3 6-3
Thiele/Candy d Moran/Bonner 6-1 3-6 6-1
Hopman/Hopman [4] d. Nottage/Lonergan 6-2 8-6

Bolton/Long [1] d Richardson/Cock 6-1 6-1
Proctor/Howe d Newcombe/Worthington 2-6 6-1 6-2
Baker/Stewart d Long/Liddle 2-6 6-3 6-1
Hart/Sedgman [3] d Ashford/Brophy 6-1 6-4

Quarterfinals

Fitch/Bromwich [2] d. Toomey/Warhurst 6-4 6-4
Hopman/Hopman [4] d. Thiele/Candy 10-8 8-6
Bolton/Long [1] d Proctor/Howe 3-6 6-1 6-4
Hart/Sedgman [3] d Baker/Stewart default

Semifinals

Fitch/Bromwich [2] d Hopman/Hopman [4] 6-0 6-1
Hart/Sedgman [3] d Bolton/Long [1] 6-3 6-4

Final

Doris Hart (US)/Frank Sedgman [3] d. Joyce Fitch/John Bromwich [2] 6-1 5-7 12-10

----------------------------------------------

Draw notes:

Bernice Bennett is from Tasmania
Mary Bevis is now Mrs. Hawton
Sadie Berryman now Newcombe.
Mrs C Nottage=Lottie Nottage, From Woodville, South Australia
Mrs Eileen Richardson is from SA.
Mrs Robert (Alison) Baker is from Tasmania.

All names are complete

----------------------------------------------

Summary: (courtesy of Louloubelle)

Doris Hart's first visit to the Australian titles was a successful one. Scheduled to tour with Louise Brough who cancelled at the last minute, she defeated Bolton 6-3 6-4. She won the Victorian, New South Wales and South Australian titles beforehand and everyone thought she would win the Australian titles in a cakewalk. In the quarterfinals she lapsed unaccountably into error against Dulcie Whittaker, and for a time even seemed to be drifting into defeat. She eventually pulled her game together to win 6-3 3-6 6-2.

Mrs. Baker becomes first Tasmanian to reach semis, as Toomey had troubles coping with her left-handed shots. It is the only major upset of the women's event. Baker was beaten by Hart in the semis 6-3 6-1.

Bolton hits 25 clean winners vs Hawton. Coming into the 1949 event, Bolton hadn't lost a set in singles in this tourney since 1940.

Bolton defeated Long in the other semi.

In century heat Bolton began confidently in the final, going to a 2-0 lead. Then, as was her wont, Bolton lost control of her forehand and Hart won 6 of the next 7 games. The lone game Nancye won in this streak was when she held to a 3-2 lead with a clean ace.

Hart broke Bolton's serve to lead 4-2 in the 2nd, then Bolton made a charge to square back at 4-4. Hart applied the garotte and captured the title 6-3 6-4. The hard hitting match featured few long rallies. The South Australian Advertiser put the time at 31 minutes-remarkable if true as Bolton won 7 games in defeat!

----------------------------------------------

Sources:

Thanks to Andrew Tas for results


http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/130241995? [Describes the final]

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/130242432? [Photos of several competitors]

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/43799871? (indicates Hart/Sedgman "in lower half" of Mixed draw)

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/43801328? (describes quarterfinals-including Mrs Baker's upset over Toomey)

 

[Rollo]

1950

Dates: January 20 to 31
Venue: Kooyong, Melbourne
Surface: Grass

------------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=32)

1st Round

Louise Brough (US) [1] d. Loris Nichols 6-0 6-0
Dorothy Jenkins d. Josephine Spehr-Jones 6-1 6-1
Esme Ashford [8] d. Margaret Wallis 3-6 9-7 6-1
Sadie Newcombe d. Norma Ellis 6-2 6-1
Joyce Fitch [4] d. Fay Chamberlin 6-3 6-1
Gwen Thiele d. Roma Strahan 6-3 7-5
Thelma Long [5] d. Roma Lemke 6-0 6-1
Judy Warnock d. Phyllis Finn default

Marie Toomey d. Shirley Jackson 6-2 7-5
Mary Hawton [6] d. Madge Exelby 6-2 6-2
Carmen Borelli d. Beryl Penrose default
Nancye Bolton [3] d. Pat Cunningham 6-0 6-0
Barbara McIntyre d. Gwen Bryant default
Nell Hopman [7] d. Esna Robertson 6-3 6-1
Clare Proctor d. Pam Southcombe 6-4 6-3
Doris Hart (US) [2] d. Dot Moran 6-2 6-2

2nd Round

Brough[1] d. Jenkins 6-1 6-3
Newcombe d. Ashford [8] 6-3 6-4
Fitch [4] d. Thiele 6-3 6-4
Long [5] d. Warnock 6-2 6-1

Hawton [6] d. Toomey 6-3 8-6
Bolton [3] d. Borelli 6-0 6-0
Hopman [7] d. McIntyre 8-6 6-2
Hart [2] d. Proctor 6-3 6-3

Quarterfinals

Brough [1] d. Newcombe 6-2 6-2
Fitch [4] d. Long [5] 7-5 0-6 6-4
Bolton [3] d. Hawton [6] 6-0 6-2
Hart [2] d. Hopman [7] 6-0 6-1

Semifinals

Brough [1] d. Fitch [4] 6-4 6-4
Hart [2] d. Bolton [3] 6-2 6-3

Final

Louise Brough (US) [1] d. Doris Hart (US) [2] 6-4 3-6 6-4

------------------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=14)

1st Round

Louise Brough (US)/Doris Hart(US) [1]-bye
Dorothy Jenkins/Clare Proctor d. Norma Ellis/Judy Warnock 6-4 8-6
Esme Ashford/Nell Hopman [4] d. Loris Nichols/Marie Toomey 6-1 6-1
Fay Chamberlin/Shirley Jackson d Beryl Penrose/Pam Southcombe default

Sadie Newcombe/Gwen Thiele d. Esna Robertson/Roma Strahan 6-3 6-2
Joyce Fitch/Mary Hawton [3] d. Marie Rowe/Nancy Stewart 6-1 6-1
Dot Moran/Beth Ruffin d. B Cox/Josephine Spehr-Jones 6-3 6-3
Nancye Bolton/Thelma Long [2] bye

Quarterfinals

Brough/Hart [1] d. Jenkins/Proctor 6-4 6-1
Ashford/Hopman [4] d. Chamberlain/Jackson 6-3 6-0
Fitch/Hawton[ 3] d. Newcombe/Thiele 6-3 6-2
Bolton/Long [2] d. Moran/Ruffin 6-3 6-1

Semifinals

Brough/Hart [1] d. Ashford/Hopman [4] 6-2 6-4
Bolton/Long [2] d. Fitch/Hawton [3] 6-2 7-5

Final

Louise Brough (US)/Doris Hart (US) [1] d. Nancye Bolton/Thelma Long [2] 6-3 2-6 6-3

------------------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=26)

First Round

Louise Brough (US)/John Bromwich [1]-bye
Sadie Necombe/John Mehaffey-bye
Mary Hawton/Ken McGregor-bye
Judy Warnock/Clive Wilderspin d Fay Chamberlin/Ian Occleshaw 6-4 6-4
Joyce Fitch/Eric Sturgess (SA) [3] d Joy Strickland/Keith Rogers 6-1 6-1
Dot Moran/Glen Sheil d Loris Nicols/Dawson Hamilton 6-2 6-2
Nell Hopman/Harry Hopman d. Norma Ellis/Alan Kendall 6-0 6-2
Roma Strahen/Ron Reid d. Phyllis Finn/Harold Skennar 3-6 6-2 6-2

Gwen Thiele/Don Candy d. Shirley Jackson/Lex Vinson 6-2 6-0
Pam Southcombe/Mervn Rose d. Gwen Bryant/Ron Clements default
Esme Ashford/Donald Tregonning d. Margaret O'Donnell/Frank Lonergan 6-2 6-1
Nancye Bolton/Colin Long d. Dorothy Jenkins/Rex Hartwig default
Marie Toomey/John Barnett d. Josephine Spehr-Jones/Ian Ayre 6-3 7-5
Thelma Long/George Worthington-bye
Clare Proctor/Eric Stewart-bye
Doris Hart (US)/Frank Sedgman-bye

2nd Round

Brough/Bromwich [1] d. Newcombe/Mehaffey 6-2 6-1
Hawton/McGregor d. Warnock/Wilderspin 6-3 6-2
Fitch/Sturgess [3] d. Moran/Sheil 6-0 6-1
Hopman/Hopman d. Strahen/Reid 6-1 6-4

Thiele/Candy d. Southcombe/Rose 4-6 6-2 6-4
Bolton/Long [4] d. Ashford/Tregonning 6-0 6-1
Long/Worthington d. Toomey/Barnett 6-1 6-3
Hart/Sedgman [2] d. Proctor/Stewart 6-1 6-1

Quarterfinals

Brough/Bromwich [1] d. Hawton/McGregor 6-3 6-2
Fitch/Sturgess [3] d Hopman/Hopman 6-2 6-2
Thiele/Candy d Bolton/Long [4] 6-3 6-4
Hart/Sedgman [2] d Long/Worthington 6-4 6-1

Semifinals

Fitch/Sturgess [3] d Brough/Bromwich [1] 4-6 6-3 6-4
Hart/Sedgman [2] d Thiele/Candy 6-3 6-3

Final

Doris Hart (US)/Frank Sedgman [2] d Joyce Fitch/Eric Sturgess (SA) [3] 8-6 6-4

------------------------------------------------

Summary:

Honoring her promise of returning to Australia with another American, Doris Hart and Louise Brough contested the Australian Championships. As winner of the two previous Wimbledons, Brough was allocated top seeding with 2 Hart, 3 Bolton, 4 Fitch, 5 Long, 6 Hawton, 7 Hopman, 8 Ashford. Only Ashford failed to make the quarterfinals, losing to Sadie Newcombe 6-3 6-4. Newcombe then fell to Brough and Hart thrashed Hopman 6-0 6-1. Bolton looked nearly as strong – though not in the volleying department – in eliminating Hawton, while Joy Fitch confirmed her seeding over Thelma Long.

Fitch led Brough 3-1 in both sets in the semi-finals, but could not capitalize on her chances in the face of Brough's remorseless aggression, though the score of 6-4 6-4 showed just how close Fitch was to world class. Hart had all her copious talents on display against Nancye Bolton – drives, smashes, stop volleys and her perfect drop shot. Her serve was also functioning smoothly as she outclassed the local champion 6-2 6-3.

Fans had every reason to anticipate a crackerjack final, for Brough-Hart encounters were known over the world to be tough, tight encounters with no quarter given. This one was no exception. But for a brief period when her serve fell away, Brough maintained a slight margin of supremacy all throughout by virtue of her greater fleetness of foot, determination in defense and sharpness on the volley. She used the lob craftily too, coming in behind it to take possession of the forecourt. Hart slugged it out to the end, but Brough scored 6-4 3-6 6-4.

------------------------------------------------

Mrs Edna (or Esme) Robertson was the 1927 Australian Champion. She has last played the Aussie in 1932.


------------------------------------------------

Sources:

Seedings from the Melbourne Argus:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/22802090?searchTerm=australian%20tennis%20seeds&searchLimits=exactPhrase|||anyWords|||notWords|||l-textSearchScope=*ignore*%7C*ignore*|||fromdd|||frommm=01|||fromyyyy=1950|||todd|||tomm=01|||toyyyy=1950|||l-word=*ignore*%7C*ignore*|||sortby

 

[Rollo]

1951

Dates: January 22-31
Venue: White City Courts (Rushcutters Bay), Sydney
Surface: Grass

------------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=31)

1st Round

Nancye Bolton [1] d. Jennifer Edmondson 6-1 6-0
Alison Hattersley d. Patricia Colyer 6-2 6-0
Beryl Penrose [8] d. Joyce Martin 7-5 6-3
Helen Angwin d. Lavina Mills 3-6 6-3 6-1
Mary Hawton [4] d. Helen Taylor 6-3 6-3
Gwen Thiele d. Audrey Clarke 6-3 8-6
Esme Ashford [5] d. Pat Cunningham 6-1 6-0
Faith Parker d. Pam Southcombe 7-5 5-7 6-1

Ellen Astley d. Dorn Fogarty 6-4 4-6 6-1
Nell Hopman [6] d. Josephine Spehr-Jones 6-3 6-2
Valda Ashford d. Barbara McIntyre 6-2 6-0
Thelma Long [3] d. Phyllis Morris 6-1 6-0
Clare Proctor d. Mary Schultz 6-4 6-2
Sadie Newcombe [7] d. Margaret Wallis 6-0 6-3
Dawn Hardingham d. Gwen Bryant 6-3 6-4
Joyce Fitch [2]-bye

2nd Round

Bolton [1] d. Hattersley 6-1 6-2
Penrose [8] d. Angwin 2-6 6-4 6-1
Hawton [4] d. Thiele 6-4 6-2
Ashford [5] d. Parker 6-2 6-4

Hopman [6] d. Astley 6-2 6-2
Long [3] d. Ashford 6-2 6-4
Proctor d. Newcombe [7] 6-2 6-4
Fitch [2] d. Hardingham 8-6 6-0

Quarterfinals

Bolton [1] d. Penrose [8] 8-6 6-2
Ashford [5] d. Hawton [4] 6-1 4-6 6-3
Long [3] d. Hopman [6] 6-2 6-1
Fitch [2] d. Proctor 4-6 6-1 6-3

Semifinals

Bolton [1] d. Ashford [5] 6-1 6-0
Long [3] d. Fitch [2] 6-8 6-4 6-2

Final

Nancye Bolton [1] d. Thelma Long [3] 6-1 7-5

------------------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=12)

1st Round

Nancye Bolton/Thelma Long [1]-bye
Dawn Hardingham/Helen Taylor-bye
Esme Ashford/Verna Ashford [4] d. Audrey Clarke/Clare Proctor 6-2 6-2
Barbara McIntyre/Pam Southcombe d. Joyce Martin/Gwen Thiele 6-4 6-2

Gwen Bryant/Dorn Fogarty d. Lavina Mills/Josephine Spehr-Jones 6-4 7-5
Nell Hopman/Beryl Penrose [3] d. Alison Hattersley/Phyllis Morris 6-1 6-2
Helen Angwin/Sadie Newcombe-bye
Joyce Fitch/Mary Hawton [2]-bye

Quarterfinals

Bolton/Long [1] d. Hardingham/Taylor 6-1 6-1
Ashford/Ashford [4] d. McIntyre/Southcombe 6-0 6-3
Hopman/Penrose [3] d. Bryant/Fogarty 8-10 7-5 9-7
Fitch/Hawton [2] d. Angwin/Newcombe 6-2 6-1

Semifinals

Bolton/Long [1] d. Ashford/Ashford [4] 6-0 6-4
Fitch/Hawton [2] d. Hopman/Penrose [3] 6-1 1-6 6-2

Final

Nancye Bolton/Thelma Long [1] d. Joyce Fitch/Mary Hawton [2] 6-2 6-1

-----------------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=20)

1st Round

Thelma Long/George Worthington d Gwen Bryant/John Barry (NZ) 6-0 6-2
Audrey Clarke/Rex Hartwig d. Barbara McIntyre/Don Candy 6-3 6-1
Gwen Thiele/Phil Brophy-bye
Helen Angwin/John Mehaffey-bye
Nancye Bolton/Robert McCarthy-bye
Verna Ashford/Mark Otway (NZ)-bye
Lavina Mills/Barry Green-bye
Faith Parker/John McDonald (NZ)-bye

Clare Proctor/Jack May-bye
Pam Southcombe/Clive Wilderspin-bye
Mary Hawton/Bill Sidwell-bye
Sadie Newcombe/Jeff Robson (NZ)-bye
Joyce Fitch/Roy Felan-bye
Helen Taylor/Desmond Beckett-bye
Esme Ashford/Ronald McKenzie (NZ) d. Dorn Fogarty/Ross Sherriff 6-2 7-5
Joyce Martin/Max Anderson d. Nell Hopman/Harry Hopman 6-3 3-6 6-4

2nd Round

Long/Worthington d Clarke/Hartwig default
Thiele/Brophy d. Angwin/Mehaffey 6-3 6-4
Bolton/McCarthy d. V Ashford/Otway 6-2 6-0
Mills/Green d. Parker/McDonald 6-2 6-3

Proctor/May d. Southcombe/Wilderspin 6-1 6-1
Mary Hawton/Sidwell d. Newcombe/Robson 6-4 6-4
Fitch/Felan d. Taylor/Beckett 6-2 6-3
E Ashford/McKenzie d Martin/Anderson default

Quarterfinals

Long/Worthington d Thiele/Brophy default
Bolton/McCarthy d Mills/Green default
Proctor/May d Hawton/Sidwell 6-2 4-6 6-3
Fitch/Felan d. Ashford/McKenzie defauly

Semifinals

Long/Worthington d Bolton/McCarthy 6-4 6-4
Proctor/May d Fitch/Felan 14-12 6-4

Final

Thelma Long/George Worthington d. Clare Proctor/Jack May 6-4 3-6 6-2

------------------------------------------------

Draw notes:

Mrs D Hardingham=nee Dawn Kent)
Mrs Lyall Morris=nee Phyllis Finn

We have complete names for all contestants. Extensive searching through Australian newspaper archives has failed to turn up any seedings for the mixed doubles.

The torrential rain and delayed schedule led to several defaults in the mixed doubles as players gave preference to other events. All of the male Kiwis (who had lost in singles) had to leave for an event in New Zealand-literally ordered home at the last minute by their federation.

------------------------------------------------

Sources:

http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/event_guide/history/draws/1951_LS_1.html

http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/event_guide/history/draws/1951_LD_1.html

http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/event_guide/history/draws/1951_MX_1.html (an incomplete draw-our results are complete!)


Thanks to Andrew Tas for results

------------------------------------------------

Summary:

In the absence of a foreign contingent, Bolton demonstrated her superiority of the local opposition beating Thelma Long in the final. Despite a tough match over promising Beryl Penrose in the qtr-finals, Bolton thrashed Esme Ashford 6-0 6-1 to reach the final. Long at last was widening the gap between her and Nell Hopman winning 6-1 6-2 in the qtr-finals and wearing down Fitch 6-8 6-4 6-2.

It was 15 years since Long and Bolton had first met in an Australian singles final. The result on this occasion was the same. Bolton was simply too good for her doubles partner and annexed her 6th title, 6-1 7-5. This sets a new record, besting the 5 titles held by Daphne Akhurst.

Weather-wise it was a very wet week, with play being disrupted by rain on 5 days. Play was scheduled to start on the 19th. Instead it was delayed until the 22nd, and even then the water-logged center court was unfit for play. This set back play so much that organizers decided to play on a Sunday the 27th-an unheard of occurrence in Australia in this conservative era. The Sydney Herald got a few letters bemoaning profaning the Lord's day, but organizers were no doubt relieved that 7,000 came out to see the quarterfinals.

8,000 saw the semis and 6,000 saw Tueday's singles finals.

The women are almost totally overshadowed by the interest in American male visitors. In fact the ladies don't even get a paragraph of coverage the whole week in the Sydney Morning Herald.

 

[Rollo]

1952

Dates: January 18 to 28.
Venue: Memorial Drive, Adelaide
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=32)

1st Round

Nancye Bolton [1] d. Rosemary Thomas 6-1 6-1
Dorothy Linn d. Joy O'Donoghue default
Pam Southcombe [6] d. Mary Blacklock 6-3 7-5
Alison Baker d. Margaret Heron 5-7 6-1 6-1
Beryl Penrose [4] d. Rosemary Rosman 6-2 6-1
Dorothy Diggle d. Gay Sim 6-2 6-1
Helen Angwin [8] d. Fay Muller 6-1 8-6
Clare Proctor d. Margaret O'Donnell 6-2 6-3

Mary Schultz d. Jill Olorenshaw 6-3 retired
Nell Hopman [5] d. Nancy Cooper 6-1 6-0
Helen Astley d. Helen McDonald 6-1 6-1
Mary Hawton [3] d. Norma Ellis 6-2 6-0
Jennifer Staley d. Dorn Fogarty 6-1 6-3
Gwen Thiele [7] d. Joyce Martin 6-0 6-1
Ann Sheidow d. Margaret Wallis 6-4 6-1
Thelma Long [2] d. Pat Thompson 6-0 6-1

2nd Round

Bolton [1] d. Linn 6-3 6-2
Baker d. Southcombe [6] 11-9 6-4
Penrose [4] d. Diggle 6-4 6-1
Angwin [8] d. Proctor 12-10 6-0

Schultz d. Hopman [5] 11-9 1-0 retired
Hawton [3] d. Astley 6-1 6-0
Thiele [7] d. Staley 8-10 6-3 9-7
Long [2] d. Sheidow 6-0 6-2

Quarterfinals

Bolton [1] d. Baker 6-0 6-1
Angwin [8] d. Penrose [4] 2-6 6-1 6-2
Hawton [3] d. Schultz 6-1 6-3
Long[2] d. Thiele[7] 6-0 4-6 6-2

Semifinals

Angwin [8] d. Bolton [1] 4-6 6-4 6-4
Long [2] d. Hawton [3] 6-0 7-5

Final

Thelma Long[2] d. Helen Angwin [8] 6-2 6-3

-----------------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=11)

1st Round

Nancye Bolton/Thelma Long[1]-bye
Dorn Fogarty/Joyce Martin bye
Dorothy Diggle/Pam Southcombe[4] d. Helen Astley/Rosemary Thomas 2-6 6-4 6-4
Helen Angwin/Dorothy Linn d. Norma Ellis/Margaret Wallis 9-7 7-5

Ann Sheidow/Sybil Sheidow d. Jill Olorenshaw/Clare Proctor 5-7 7-5 6-0
Alison Baker/Mary Hawton[3]-bye
Helen McDonald/Gwen Thiele-bye
Nell Hopman/Beryl Penrose[2]-bye

Quarterfinals

Bolton/Long[1] d. Fogarty/Martin 6-0 6-0
Diggle/Southcombe[4] d. Angwin/Linn 6-2 11-9
Baker/Hawton[3] d. Sheidow/Sheidow 6-4 6-2
Hopman/Penrose[2] d. McDonald/Thiele 6-2 6-2

Semifinals

Bolton/Long[1] d. Diggle/Southcombe[4] 6-0 6-4
Baker/Hawton[3] d. Hopman/Penrose[2] 6-2 6-1

Final

Nancye Bolton/Thelma Long[1] d. Alison Baker/Mary Hawton[3] 6-1 6-1

-----------------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=13)

1st Round

Nell Hopman/Ian Ayre-bye
Margaret Wallis/David Yayes-bye
Gwen Thiele/Tom Warhurst d Karin Kennedy/Jeff Green 6-3 6-1
Beryl Penrose/Clive Wilderspin d Joyce Martin/Max Anderson 8-6 6-1

Clare Proctor/Brian Strohfeldt d. Helen Astley/Don Goodger 6-3 6-4
Dorothy Diggle/Glen Shiel d. Alison Baker/Eric Stewart 1-6 6-1 6-2
Helen Angwin/Jeff Brown d. Pam Southcombe/John Blacklock 6-2 6-4
Thelma Long/George Worthington-bye

Quarterfinals

Hopman/Ayre d. Wallis/Yates 5-7 6-0 6-0
Thiele/Warhurst d. Penrose/Wilderspin 2-6 6-3 6-3
Proctor/Strohfeldt d. Diggle/Shiel. 6-0 8-10 6-4
Long/Worthington d. Angwin/Brown 6-1 6-2

Semifinals

Thiele/Warhurst d. Hopman/Ayre 6-4 2-6 9-7
Long/Worthington d. Proctor/Strohfeldt 6-1 -62

Final

Thelma Long/George Worthington d. Gwen Thiele/Tom Warhurst 9-7 7-5

-----------------------------------------------

Draw notes:

Thiele formerly O'Halloran.
Mrs R. Baker =Alison Baker.
H O'Donnell=Margaret O'Donnell
J Diggle =Dorothy Diggle
Jill Olorenshaw formerly Tuckfield (md to Ian Olorenshaw and thus listed as I Olorenshaw at times)

----------------------------------------

Summary: (courtesy of Louloubelle)

After 14 quarterfinals, 11 semifinals and 4 runner-ups, Thelma Long finally won the Australian title in 1952. Never being able to quite bridge the gap between herself and Nancye Bolton she was known throughout the world as the 'Australian No. 2'. Though she had better volleys, her service and groundstrokes weren't as severe as Bolton's, who covered the court better as well.

In 1952 everything fell into place for Long. Nell Hopman, always a tough opponent for her, had collapsed from heat exhaustion when trailing against Queensland junior Mary Schultz 9-11 0-1 and was forced to forfeit. Bolton lost her semifinal to 20 year-old South Australian Helen Angwin 6-4 4-6 4-6. Angwin had struck a purple patch of form defeating Clare Proctor and the improving Beryl Penrose. Despite this defeat Penrose was still preferred for the team which toured South Africa later in the year.

For Bolton, the time had come to alter her sporting direction. 'When I was beaten by Helen I knew I had enough. That was the end of the road, I didn't want to go downhill. I don't think there's anything worse than watching a former top player who has become a yard short of balls he or she would normally hit for a winner', she said.

In quarterfinals Long defeated Gwen Thiele, a stalwart of South Australian tennis over many decades who was the first woman elected to the management committee of the state association. Thiele had beaten Jenny Staley the round before 8-10 6-3 9-7.

Long defeated Hawton in the semifinals 6-0 7-5. Hawton was upset by footfault calls in the first set and by the time she settled down the match was virtually over.

Long vs. Angwin, Long dominated the match throughout with consistent deep driving from both wings scoring 6-2 6-3.That year Long was seeded seven at Wimbledon, and took a set off Maureen Connolly in the quarterfinals the only one of two sets Connolly ever dropped at Wimbledon.

----------------------------------------

Sources:

Results courtesy of AndrewTas

 

[Rollo]

1953 AUSTRALIAN NATIONALS

Dates: January 8 to 17
Venue: Kooyong, Melbourne
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------

Singles (Draw=25)

Seed note: Connolly and Sampson #1 and #2 foreign seeds.

1st Round

Mary Hawton [2]-bye
Loris Nichols-bye
Nell Hopman [7]-bye
Fay Muller d. Judy Warnock 6-2 6-2
Pam Southcombe [4] d. Beth Ruffin 6-2 6-3
Joy O'Donoghue d. Mary Midgley 9-7 8-6
Alison Baker[5] d. June Ryan 6-3 6-2
Maureen Connolly (US) [1F] d. Carmen Borelli 6-0 6-1

Julie Sampson (US) [2F] d. Barbara Rich 6-3 6-4
Gwen Thiele [8] d. Mary Schultz 6-3 6-0
Margaret Wallis d. Joyce Diggle 7-5 6-1
Beryl Penrose[3] d. Fay Occleshaw 6-3 6-2
Jennifer Staley-bye
Dawn Fogarty [6]-bye
Norma Ellis-bye
Helen Angwin-[1]-bye

2nd Round

Hawton [2] d. Nichols 6-1 8-10 6-1
Muller d. Hopman [7] 6-3 4-6 6-4
Southcombe [4] d. Donoghue 6-1 6-0
Connolly [1F] d. Baker[5] 6-1 6-0

Sampson [2F]d. Thiele[8] 6-2 6-1
Penrose [3] d. Wallis 6-1 6-0
Fogarty [6] d. Staley 6-4 2-6 6-3
Angwin [1] d. Ellis 7-5 1-6 6-4

Quarterfinals

Hawton [2] d. Muller 6-1 6-2
Connolly [1F] d. Southcombe [4] 6-0 6-1
Sampson [2F] d. Penrose [3] 6-2 6-2
Fogarty [6] d. Angwin [1] 6-4 5-7 6-2

Semifinals

Connolly [1F] d. Hawton [2] 6-2 6-1
Sampson [2F] d. Fogarty [6] 3-6 6-3 6-4

Final

Maureen Connolly [1F] (US) d. Julie Sampson [2F] (US) 6-3 6-2

Losing finalist Julie Sampson-she also won the doubles and the mixed.

-----------------------------

Doubles (Draw=16)

Seed note: Connolly/Sampson were the #1 foreign seeds. All other seeds were domestic.

1st Round

Maurren Connolly (US)/Julie Sampson (US) [1F] d. Beth Ruffin/Judy Tissott 6-2 6-2
Nell Hopman/Jennifer Staley [4] d. Fay Muller/Mary Schultz 6-1 10-12 6-2
Dorn Fogarty/Barbara Rich d. Joy O' Donoghue/Margaret Wallis 6-2 7-5
Helen Angwin/Gwen Thiele [2] d. Margaret Hellyer/Betty Holstein 7-9 7-5 7-5

Mary Carter/Barbara Warby d. Alison Baker/Loris Nichols 6-1 6-3
Carmen Borelli/Pam Southcombe[3] d. Esme Robertson/Mrs R. Wratten 6-1 2-6 6-3
Joyce Diggle/Norma Ellis d. Mary Midgley/June Ryan 6-4 8-6
Mary Hawton/Beryl Penrose [1] d. Fay Occleshaw/Pat Thompson 6-1 6-0

Quarterfinals

Connolly/Sampson [1F] d. Hopman/Staley [4] 6-2 6-1
Angwin/Thiele [2] d. Fogarty/Rich 6-2 6-1
Carter/Warby d. Borelli/Southcombe [3] 6-3 4-6 9-7
Hawton/Penrose [1] d. Diggle/Ellis 8-6 6-3

Semifinals

Connolly/Sampson [1F] d. Angwin/Thiele [2] 6-3 6-3
Hawton/Penrose [1] d. Carter/Warby 6-3 6-1

Final

Maureen Connolly (US)/Julie Sampson (US) [1F] d. Mary Hawton/Beryl Penrose [1] 6-4 6-2

-----------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw= 16)

1st Round

Julie Sampson (US)/Rex Hartwig d Gwen Thiele/Keith Rogers 6-1 6-3
Mary Schultz/Jack Arkinstall d Dorn Fogarty/Eric Stewart 4-6 6-4 6-1
Helen Angwin/Neale Fraser d Alison Baker/Cedric Mason 3-6 6-4 6-2
Carmen Borelli/Brian Tobin d Nell Hopman/Ron Reid 6-1 8-10 6-1

Pam Southcombe/Donald Tregonning d Joy O' Donoghue/Tim Cawthorn 6-1 6-3
Joyce Diggle/John Diggle d Fay Muller/Barry Green 7-5 6-3
June Ryan/Clive Wilderspin d Norma Ellis/Allan Kendall 6-4 3-6 6-3
Maureen Connolly (US)/Ham Richardson (US) d Fay Occleshaw/Geoff Harvey 6-2 6-1

Quarterfinals

Sampson/Hartwig d Schultz/Arkinstall 6-4 12-10
Angwin/Fraser d Borelli/Tobin 3-6 6-3 6-3
Southcombe/Tregonning d Diggle/Diggle 6-1 6-4
Connolly/Richardson d Ryan/Wilderspin 3-6 6-2 6-3

Semifinals

Sampson/Hartwig d Angwin/Fraser 8-6 7-5
Connolly/Richardson d Southcombe/Tregonning 6-0 6-4

Final

Julie Sampson (US)/Rex Hartwig d. Maureen Connolly (US)/Ham Richardson 6-4 6-3

-----------------------------------------------

Draw Notes:

Fay Occleshaw=I Occleshaw. Also possibly=Olive Occleshaw
Miss J Warnock=Judy Warnock. Note that the Aussie site lists her as Joan Warnock.

The official Australian website has the seeding wrong due to the presence of foreign seeds. For example, it lists Mary Hawton as the #4 seed rather than her true seed of domestic #2.

Geoff Harvey=G.C. Harvey

Missing full names for:

Mrs R. Wratten

-----------------------------------------------

Summary:

Playing the first leg of her attempt for the grand slam, Maureen Connolly easily won the 1953 Australian Championships. She defeated Carmen Borelli (later the wife of LTAA President Brian Tobin) 6-0 6-1 the first round, Mrs. Baker 6-1 6-0 in the second, thrashed promising Pam Southcombe 6-0 6-1 in the quarters and the accomplished Mary Hawton fared little better in the semis 6-2 6-1. Connolly's doubles partner, American Julie Sampson came through the other half of the draw to face Little Mo. The final, however was no more of a contest than Connolly's other matches. If Sampson advanced to the net she was passed, if she stayed at the baseline she run from side to side until she was so hopelessly out of position that the point was lost. Sampson was actually the reigning US junior champion which made her the same age as Connolly but you would never have thought so, to see Connolly blast her from the court 6-3 6-2. 6,532 fans came out for the final. The American "amazed the crowd of 6,532 with the depth of her accurate drive and passing shots." In winning Mo becomes the youngest ever to take the title. The temperature was over 100 on finals day.

Defending Aussie titleholder Thelma Long is playing on clay in Florida (USA) during the championships!

 

[Rollo]

1954 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Dates: January 23 to February 1
Venue: White City, Sydney
Surface: Grass

----------------------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=32)

Seeding note: Redick-Smith [1] and Wipplinger [2] were foreign seeds.

First Round

Thelma Long [1] d. Kay Newcombe 6-1 6-1
Gwen Byrant d. Anne Fulton 6-2 6-0
Nell Hopman d. Dorn Fogarty [8] 6-2 6-2
Margaret O'Donnell and Judy Burke (NZ) both default
Beryl Penrose [4] d. Mirabelle Franklin 6-2 6-1
Loris Nichols d. Dawn McComley 8-6 6-3
Helen Angwin [5] d. Alison Hattersley 6-2 6-2
Mary Carter d. Julia Wipplinger (SA) [2F] 6-1 8-6

Hazel Redick-Smith (SA) [1F] d. Margaret Hellyer 6-3 6-4
Fay Muller [7] d. Mary Martin 6-3 6-0
Alison Baker d. Yvonne Wells 3-6 6-1 6-4
Jennifer Staley [3] d. Jennifer Edmondson 6-1 6-2
Clare Proctor d. Gwen Thiele 7-5 2-6 6-3
Barbara Warby d. Norma Ellis [6] 6-4 6-4
Daphne Seeney d. Helen Taylor 6-0 6-3
Mary Hawton [2] d. Pat Parmenter 6-2 6-0

2nd Round

Long [1] d. Byrant 6-0 6-4
Hopman d. O'Donnell default
Nichols d. Penrose [4] 6-4 2-6 6-4
Carter d. Angwin [5] 6-4 6-4

Redick-Smith [1F] d. Muller [7] 4-6 7-5 6-4
Staley [3] d. Baker 6-2 6-3
Warby d. Proctor 5-7 6-1 6-0
Hawton [2] d. Seeney 6-3 6-3

Quarterfinals

Long [1] d. Hopman 6-0 6-0
Carter d. Nichols 7-5 6-4
Staley [3] d. Redick-Smith [1F] 10-8 5-7 6-3
Hawton [2] d. Warby 6-4 6-3

Semifinals

Long [1] d. Carter 6-2 6-3
Staley [3] d. Hawton [2] 6-1 6-1

Final

Thelma Long [1] d. Jennifer Staley [3] 6-3 6-4

----------------------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=16)

Seed note: Redick-Smith/Wipplinger were the #1 foreign seeds.

1st Round

Mary Hawton/Beryl Penrose [1] d. Paquita Greenslade/Dawn McCamley 6-1 6-0
Norma Ellis/Nell Hopman d. Mirabelle Franklin/Fay Martin 6-4 2-6 6-2
Loris Nichols/Helen Taylor d. Joan Decker/D. Wade 6-2 6-1
Mary Carter/Jennifer Staley [3] d. Esme Ashford/Alison Hattersley 5-7 7-5 6-4

Thelma Long/Clare Proctor [2] d. Norma Marsh/Alison Paech 6-0 6-1
Helen Angwin/Gwen Thiele d. Gwen Bryant/Dorn Fogarty 8-6 6-2
Fay Muller/Daphne Seeney [4] d. Jennifer Edmondson/Kay Newcombe 6-1 6-2
Hazel Redick-Smith (SA)/Julia Wipplinger (SA) [1F] d. Alison Baker/Barbara Warby 6-3 2-6 6-2

Quarterfinals

Hawton/Penrose [1] d. Ellis/Hopman 6-4 6-3
Nichols/Taylor d. Carter/Staley [3] 6-2 6-2
Long/Proctor [2] d. Angwin/Thiele 6-0 6-0
Redick-Smith/Wipplinger [1F] d. Muller/Seeney [4] 6-1 6-0

Semifinals

Hawton/Penrose [1] d. Nichols/Taylor 6-0 6-4
Redick-Smith/Wipplinger [1F] d. Long/Proctor [2] 6-1 10-8

Final

Mary Hawton/Beryl Penrose[1] d. Hazel Redick-Smith/Julia Wipplinger [1F] 6-3 8-6

----------------------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=20)

Seeding note: Redick-Smith/Williaims [1] and Wipplinger/Segal [2] were foreign seeds.

1st Round

Thelma Long/Rex Hartwig [1]-bye
Barbara Warby/Doug Reid-bye
Gwen Bryant/Ross Sherriff-bye
Jennifer Staley/John Blacklock-bye
Alison Baker/Cedric Mason d Alison Hattersley/Bill Case 6-2 7-5
Julia Wipplinger (SA)/Abe Segal (SA) [2F] d Margaret O'Donnell/Warren Kennedy default
Mary Carter/Kevin Meyer d Daphne Seeney/Tony Pickard 6-2 11-9
Norma Ellis/Neale Fraser [4] -bye

Hazel Redick-Smith (SA)/Owen Williams (SA) [1F] d Mrs J. Best/J. Best default
Loris Nichols/Bill Gilmour-bye
Gwen Thiele/Dick Potter-bye
Dorn Fogarty/Clive Wilderspin [3]-bye
Clare Proctor/Bob Howe-bye
Helen Angwin/John Hann-bye
Kay Newcombe/Tim Cawthorn-bye
Beryl Penrose/John Bromwich [2]-bye

2nd Round

Long/Hartwig [1] d. Warby/Reid 7-5 6-2
Bryant/Sherriff d. Staley/Blacklock 7-5 6-3
Wipplinger/Segal [2F] d Baker/Mason 6-3 7-5
Ellis/Fraser [4] d Carter/Meyer 6-2 6-2

Nichols/Gilmour d. Redick-Smith/Williams [1F] default (Williams injured)
Fogarty/Wilderspin [3] d. Thiele/Potter 7-5 6-0
Proctor/Howe d. Angwin/Hann 2-6 6-4 8-6
Penrose/Bromwich [2] d. Newcombe/Cawthorn 6-2 6-0

Quarterfinals

Long/Hartwig [1] d Bryant/Sherriff 6-2 6-4
Ellis/Fraser [4] d Wipplinger/Segal [2F] 7-5 6-2
Fogarty/Wilderspin [3] d Nichols/Gilmour 7-5 6-2
Penrose/Bromwich [2] d Proctor/Howe 1-6 6-2 6-3

Semifinals

Long/Hartwig [1] d Ellis/Fraser [4] 8-6 9-7
Penrose/Bromwich [2] d Fogarty/Wilderspin [3] 1-6 6-3 6-2

Final

Thelma Long/Rex Hartwig [1] d Beryl Penrose/John Bromwich [2] 4-6 6-1 6-2

----------------------------------------------------

Draw notes:

The official Australian Open site lists Decker's partner as Dorothy Linde.
The official Australian Open site lists McCamley's partner as Margaret O'Donnell.

The official site is not 100% correct. It fails to take into account the foreign seeding used. For example, #1 foreign seed Redick-Smith is turned into the #9 seed!

Mrs R Baker=Alison Baker
Mirabelle Franklin=Mrs B Franklin of NSW
Anne H Fulton (a junior from Launcester, Tasmania)
Paquita Greenslade (from South Australia) is a junior.
L. Taylor=Helen Taylor
A Paech=Alison Paech of Albury, NSW

William "Bill" Case is from South Australia

Missing full names for:

Mrs J. Best (Victoria)
D. Wade

J. Best

----------------------------------------------------

Summary:

Long won her second title at the age of 35. The South African ladies, Mesdames Wiplinger and Redick-Smith were the foreign contingent that year. They reached the final of the doubles but were disappointing in the singles.Wipplinger was defeated in an early round by teenager Mary Carter while Redick-Smith after barely beating Fay Muller (she survived 3 match points) lost to reigning Australian junior champion Jenny Staley 8-10 7-5 3-6. Staley the most improved player in Australia, tore through Mary Hawton in the semifinals.Long thrashed Nell Hopman 6-0 6-0 in the quarterfinals and was too solid and experienced for Mary Carter in the semifinals.

Staley was too nervous to do herself full justice in the final. And Long gave her no chance to recover her composure, denying her the unforced errors or easy winners which might have enabled her to get back into the match. Long was like a stern headmistress as she handed out a 6-3 6-4 lesson to a disconsolate Staley.

Watching the match in his army uniform was Staley's boyfriend, Lew Hoad, on leave from national service training. Lew, after his recent victories in the Davis Cup was a national hero. His presence, and the conjecture about his relationship with Staley were said to have contributed to her inability to produce her stylish best.

Long failed to get her semifinal postponed when she found the court unplayable. After five minutes she argued in vain for a delay. In al she went over 12 times on a muddy court, coming off with clothes soaked in grime.

----------------------------------------------------

Sources:

Thelma "Upset"
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/26587977?

 

[Rollo]

1955

Dates: January 21 to 31
Venue: Memorial Drive, Adelaide
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=32)

1st Round

Thelma Long [1] d. Joan Egar 6-0 6-3
Maureen McCalman d. Val Williman 6-3 3-6 6-4
Norma Ellis [8] d. Anne Huddleston 5-7 6-1 6-3
Ann Sheidow d. Margaret Stewart 6-4 6-2
Mary Carter [4] d. Paquita Greenslade 6-1 6-1
Pat Parmenter d. Anne Tracey 6-2 6-3
Fay Muller [5] d. Jill Strachan 6-0 6-1
Elizabeth Orton d. Rosemary Rosman 6-3 3-6 6-4

Nell Hopman d. Jill Langley 5-7 10-8 6-1
Daphne Seeney [6] d. Margaret O'Donnell 6-4 9-7
Margaret Hellyer d. June McLeod 6-3 6-1
Jennifer Staley [3] d. Karin Kennedy 6-0 6-3
Mary Hawton d. Gwen Thiele 6-1 7-5
Loris Nichols [7] d. Yvonne Wells 6-1 6-1
Lorraine Coghlan d. Beth Jones 6-2 2-6 6-4
Beryl Penrose [2] d. Rosemary Thomas 6-1 6-1

2nd Round

Long [1] d. McCalman 6-1 6-1
Ellis [8] d. Sheidow 6-3 6-3
Carter[ 4] d. Parmenter 6-1 6-3
Muller [5] d. Orton 6-4 7-5

Hopman d. Seeney [6] 4-6 6-4 6-4
Staley [3] d. Hellyer 6-4 6-3
Hawton d. Nichols [7] 6-2 5-7 6-2
Penrose [2] d. Coghlan 6-1 6-3

Quarterfinals

Long [1] d. Ellis [8] 6-0 6-3
Carter [4] d. Muller [5] 4-6 6-3 6-3
Staley [3] d. Hopman 6-3 6-0
Penrose [2] d. Hawton 6-1 1-6 8-6

Semifinals

Long [1] d. Carter [4] 6-2 6-1
Penrose [2] d. Staley [3] 6-4 8-6

Final

Beryl Penrose [2] d. Thelma Long [1] 6-4 6-3

-----------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=12)

1st Round

Mary Hawton/Beryl Penrose[1]-bye
Anne Lonergan/Jannette Smith-bye
Norma Ellis/Loris Nichols d. H Deane/Lorraine MacGuire 6-4 6-4
June McLeod/Margaret Stewart d. Rosemary Thomas/Val Williman 6-3 8-6

Nell Hopman/Gwen Thiele d. Margaret O'Donnell/Felicity Wald 6-1 6-0
Fay Muller/Daphne Seeney d. Rosemary Rosman/Ann Sheidow 6-0 6-4
Joan Eger/Karin Kennedy-bye
Mary Carter/Jennifer Staley[2]-bye

Quarterfinals

Hawton/Penrose [1] d. Lonergan/Smith 6-0 6-1
Ellis/Nichols [4] d. McLeod/Stewart 6-4 6-1
Hopman/Thiele d. Muller/Seeney [3] 6-1 6-4
Carter/Staley [2] d. Egar/Kennedy 6-4 6-0

Semifinals

Hawton/Penrose [1] d. Ellis/Nichols [4] 6-0 6-2
Hopman/Thiele d. Carter/Staley [2] 6-3 3-6 6-3

Final

Mary Hawton/Beryl Penrose [1] d. Nell Hopman/Gwen Thiele 7-5 6-1

-----------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=16)

1st Round

Thelma Long/George Worthington d. Mary Hawton/Doug Reid 6-2 6-2
Norma Ellis/Clive Wilderspin d. Anne Sheidow/Brian Sumner 6-4 6-1
Fay Muller/Mal Anderson d. Felicity Wald/John Hann 6-0 6-3
Rosemary Thomas/Les Flanders d. Loris Nichols/Neale Fraser 6-3 9-7

Gwen Thiele/Brian Bowman d. Daphne Seeney/partner default
Beryl Penrose/Tom Warhurst d. Margaret Stewart/John Blacklock 8-6 6-3
Val Williman/John McHaffey d. Karen Kennedy/Cedric Mason 3-6 6-2 8-6
Jennifer Staley/Lew Hoad d. Joan Penny/Rex Leahy 6-2 6-2

Quarterfinals

Long/Worthington d Ellis/Wilderspin 6-2 3-6 6-4
Muller/Anderson d Thomas/Flanders 8-6 6-4
Thiele/Bowman d Penrose/Warhurst 6-4 2-6 6-4
Staley/Hoad d Williman/McHaffey 6-4 6-3

Semifinals

Long/Worthington d Muller/Anderson 6-2 6-1
Staley/Hoad d Thiele/Bowman 6-1 10-8

Final

Thelma Long/George Worthington d Jennifer Staley/Lew Hoad 6-2 6-1

-----------------------------------------

Draw Notes:

Carter=Reitano.
Jennifer Staley=maiden name of Hoad. Wife of Aussie great Lew Hoad.
M Stewart was from Western Australia.

Missing full names for:

H Deane


-----------------------------------------

Summary:

Beryl Penrose was the champion of Australia in 1955 in Adelaide. Her most difficult match was an 8-6 in the third win against the accomplished Mary Hawton. Long, Carter and Staley progressed to the semifinals also. Staley hit many picturesque shots against Penrose, but the Sydney player grafted harder and picked up points by running Staley wide on the forehand winning 6-4 8-6. Thelma Long never let Carter into the other semifinal winning 6-1 6-1. Penrose learned the lessons well from the Long-Carter semi. Anything loose or short from Long, Penrose pounced on it, hitting deep hard drives and following them into the net. Long was never allowed to get into a groove, never permitted to dominate the forecourt. Penrose adhered assiduously to her game plan, her concentration never faltered, and she was rewarded with the title, 6-4 6-3, bringing a close the two decades of Bolton-Long hegemony.

Beryl was an automatic selection for 1955 touring team, which included Staley, Muller, Carter and Adrian Quist as manager. Beryl won two of the 4 tournaments the team participated on the continent and reached the quarters of Wimbledon as the seventh seed. She fell to Louise Brough who won her 4th title that year.

The big story of the women's touring team occurred just before Wimbledon, when Jenny Staley 'snuk-off' unbeknown to Adrian Quist and secretly married Lewis Alan Hoad. Quist was of course furious that he hadn't been told, and so was Sir Norman Brookes back home in Melbourne. Brookes was especially irate with Harry Hopman, manager of the men's team, who had connived the ceremony. It was great stuff and the newspapers had a field day when the story broke.

The Aussie tennis officials discouraged their romance, but the pair married anyway in secret on the eve of Wimbledon.

 

[Rollo]

1956

Dates: January 20 to 30.
Venue: Milton Courts, Brisbane
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=32)

1st Round

Mary Hawton [1] d. Marjorie Gibson default
Gwen Thiele d. Shirley Lee 6-2 6-1
Lorraine Coghlan [8] d. Angela Beitzal default
Margot Rayson d. Lynette Bowden 6-3 6-2
Fay Muller [4] d. Jill Strachan 6-2 6-2
Maureen McCalman d. Pat Parmenter 2-6 6-4 6-2
Thelma Long [5] d. Dorothy Linde 6-0 3-6 6-1
Beth Jones d. Ann Sheidow 3-6 6-3 6-3

Margaret Hellyer d. Zara Robinson 6-2 6-2
Daphne Seeney [6] d. Jan Shearer 6-2 6-3
Sheila Armstrong(GB) d. Val Roberts 1-6 6-2 6-4
Beryl Penrose [3] d. Shirley Anderson 6-0 6-2
Nell Hopman d. Jill Langley 7-5 6-1
Loris Nichols [7] d. Betty Bradfield 6-4 4-6 6-2
Dawn Fogarty d. Anne Lonergran 6-4 6-2
Mary Carter [2] d. Madzy Rollin Couquerque (Neth) 6-4 6-2

2nd Round

Hawton [1] d. Thiele 6-1 6-1
Coghlan [8] d. Rayson 6-3 6-4
Muller [4] d. McCalman 6-1 6-3
Long [5] d. Jones 8-6 4-6 9-7

Seeney [6] d. Hellyer 3-6 6-4 6-4
Penrose [3] d. Armstrong 6-2 4-6 6-2
Nichols [7] d. Hopman 6-2 6-1
Carter [2] d. Fogarty 6-3 8-6

Quarterfinals

Hawton [1] d. Coghlan [8] 0-6 6-0 6-3
Long [5] d. Muller [4] 7-5 6-1
Seeney [6] d. Penrose [3] 6-2 6-1
Carter [2] d. Nichols [7] 6-1 7-5

Semifinals

Long [5] d. Hawton [1] 0-6 6-3 9-7
Carter [2] d. Seeney [6] 6-3 7-5

Final

Mary Carter [2] d. Thelma Long [5] 3-6 6-2 9-7

-----------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=9)

1st Round

Jill Langley/Ann Sheidow d. Shirley Lee/Zara Robinson 6-3 3-6 6-2

Quarterfinals

Mary Hawton/Thelma Long [1] d. Lynette Bowden/Dorn Fogarty 6-1 6-4
Fay Muller/Daphne Seeney [4] d. Langley/Sheidow 6-1 6-0
Nell Hopman/Gwen Thiele [3] d. Maureen McCalman/Loris Nichols 6-2 6-4
Mary Carter/Beryl Penrose [2] d. L. Cartledge/Maureen Sayers 6-2 6-2

Semifinals

Hawton/Long [1] d. Muller/Seeney [4] 6-2 6-2
Carter/Penrose [2] d. Hopman/Thiele [3] 6-4 5-7 6-3

Final

Mary Hawton/Thelma Long [1] d. Mary Carter/Beryl Penrose [2] 6-2 5-7 9-7

-----------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=17)

1st Round

Mary Carter/Gil Shea d. Lynette Bowden/David Shepherd 6-0 6-1

2nd Round

Beryl Penrose/Neale Fraser [1] d. Joan Gray/J. Dobbs 6-1 6-1
Dorn Fogarty/Bill Gilmour d. Zara Robinson/Richie Brant 6-4 7-5
Fay Muller/Mal Anderson [4] d. Jill Langley/Graham Lovett 6-3 6-4
Gwen Thiele/Alan Bashford d. Carter/Shea 8-6 5-7 6-4

Ann Sheidow/Brian Bowman d. Loris Nichols/Doug Reid 5-7 6-3 6-4
Thelma Long/Herb Flam (US) [3] d. Daphne Seeney/Les Flanders 6-3 6-1
Nell Hopman/Esteban Reyes (Mex) d. Shirley Lee/Barry Green 6-4 7-5
Mary Hawton/Roy Emerson [2] d. Madzy Rollin Couquerque (Neth)/Ken Fletcher 6-0 6-4

Quarterfinals

Penrose/Fraser [1] d Fogarty/Gilmour 6-3 6-4
Muller/Anderson [4] d Thiele/Bashford 6-3 5-7 6-1
Long/Flam [3] d Sheidow/Bowman 6-2 7-5
Hawton/Emerson [2] d Hopman/Reyes 6-3 6-3

Semifinals

Penrose/Fraser [1] d Muller/Anderson [4] 7-5 14-12
Hawton/Emerson d Long/Flam [3] default

Final

Beryl Penrose/Neale Fraser [1] d Mary Hawton/Roy Emerson [2] 6-2 6-4

-----------------------------------------

Draw Notes :

World Tennis gives differing scores in a couple of instances
1R Long d. Linde 6-0 3-6 6-1.

Shirley Anderson was from Queensland.
"Jill" Langley AKA "June"
Zara Robinson was from Queensland.
Maureen Sayers was from West Australia

Missing full names for:

L. Cartledge
J Gray (Queensland)-still a junior, as she was also in the junior events.

J. Dobbs (Queensland) a male in the mixed with Gray.

-----------------------------------------

Summary:

The first Aussie ever in Brisbane and a disaster by all accounts. The center court was the wrong dimensions, player complaints were numerous, and controversy raged daily.

The first big upset of the 1956 women's singles in Brisbane was the thrashing which was inflicted upon title holder Beryl Penrose in the quarterfinals by local girl Daphne Seeney. Penrose was all at sea on the heavy court and found herself befuddled by the drops hots and placements of the awkward lefthander 2-6 1-6. Not that losing to Seeney was a disgrace, she toured with the overseas team, a runnerup at Wimbledon doubles. She eventually married South African Davis Cup player Trevor Fancutt, settled in Queensland and raise a whole family of tennis players.

Long defeated Muller, Carter defeated Loris Nichols and Hawton won over Lorraine Coghlan with unusual scoreline of 0-6 6-0 6-3 to reach the semis.

Hawton was then involved in another bizarre match, against Long in the semifinals. Hawton won the first 9 games, Long the next 9, and then the real tussle began. In the final set Long had match points at 5-4, but could not put Hawton away. Hawton led 7-6 but on a crucial point missed the line by inches with a backhand volley. The ghost of a chance quickly slipped away and Long was through 0-6 6-3 9-7.

Officials attempted to relegate the Carter-Seeney semifinal to an outside court to clear a backlog of matches, but the girls wouldn't have a bar of it. A decade or so before the modern Women's Liberation Movement caught on, the girls stood up for their rights and insisted that the public was waiting for them to play on centre court where they had been scheduled, and that was where they would play. Furthermore they insisted that Long had the advantage of getting used to the centre court and it would be unfair to the winner of their match to be denied such an opportunity. Carter and Seeney refused to leave center court when the President of the Queensland LTA demanded they leave to make way for a men's match. The sight of Big Bill Edwards, 20 stone, trying to herd the two women to an outside court remains vivid for those who witnessed the comical stand-off. The overweight official waddled on court to the amusement of the gallery of 4,000. The women delayed, refusing to go to court #8 out in the boondocks. When finally shooed off, the two ladies barricaded themselves in the locker room, in effect daring the officials to default them.

Finally the ladies were allowed to finish their match the next day-- on center court.

In Seeney's case it was a matter of winning the battle and losing the war. Halfway through the 2nd set, just when she seemed she was getting into the match, she dislocated her right knee. She insisted on continuing with it heavily strapped and even succeeded in winning a few games before Carter finished off the match 6-3 7-5.

Despite losing to Long in the semifinals in the last two Australian titles, Carter was optimistic of a positive outcome as Brisbane turned on one of it's hottest and most humid days and she hoped that the 17 years difference between ages may be a telling factor. The longer the match went on the better Carter's chances become. Long won the first 6-3 but in the 2nd started to limp noticeably because of blisters. Carter won the 2nd and took a 5-3 lead in the third. Always dangerous when cornered, Long battled back to reach match point at 6-5. Carter remained calm, volleyed her way out of trouble and eventually prevailed 9-7 in the third.

It was discovered before finals day that the service box on center court was 25 inches short on one end. The players had complained throughout the event but organizers had refused to measure the court. Only after reporters snuck onto the court and measured it were Queensland officals pressured into admitting their error and fixing the court.

Even the finals produced controversy, as they were held on a Sunday. Churches protested, but the first Sunday finals went ahead.

Visiting Dutch player Madzy Couquerque plays at at age 57. She entered Wimbledon in 1930!

Summary courtesy of Louloubelle and Rollo

-----------------------------------------

Sources:

Thanks to Andrew Tas for results
Also consulted the official site of the Australian Open. The results on this site are incomplete but useful for names and to confirm scores.

"Tiny tennis girls floor Big Bill". The Argus. 28 January 1956. Page 1
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72532680

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/72532680? (article about the semi protest-with humorous cartoon)

 

[Rollo]

1957 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Dates: January 18 to 28.
Venue: Kooyong, Melbourne
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=32)

1st Round

Shirley Fry (US) [1] d. Elizabeth Orton 6-1 6-2
Joy Donoghue d. Margaret Stewart 6-4 6-1
Fay Muller [8] d. Margaret Carter 6-4 7-5
Mary Hawton d. Gwen Thiele 6-3 3-0 retired
Beryl Penrose [4] d. Marjorie Gibson 6-1 6-2
Bev Rae d. Jill Strachan 6-1 6-1
Jennifer Hoad [6] d. Margot Rayson 6-3 3-6 6-2
Beth Jones d. Lynette Bowden 6-3 6-1

Nell Hopman d. Pat Parmenter 6-4 10-12 6-4
Lorraine Coghlan [5] d. Jan Shearer 6-4 6-1
Eva Duldig d. June Langley 8-10 6-0 6-1
Mary Carter [3] d. Marjory Harrison 6-4 7-5
Loris Southam d. Dawn Duncan 6-2 6-1
Margaret Hellyer [7] d. Delys Blackburn 7-5 6-4
Maureen McCalman d. Noelene Turner 6-0 6-3
Althea Gibson (US) [2] d. Judy Tegart 6-4 6-0

2nd Round

Fry [1] d. Donoghue 6-1 6-1
Hawton d. Muller [8] 2-6 6-4 6-1
Hoad [6] d. Jones 6-1 5-7 6-3
Penrose [4] d. Rae 6-8 6-3 6-1

Carter [3] d. Duldig 6-3 6-2
Coghlan [5] d. Hopman 6-3 6-3
Southam d. Hellyer [7] 6-2 9-7
Gibson [2] d. McCalman 6-4 6-1

Quarterfinals

Fry [1] d. Hawton 6-1 9-7
Penrose [4] d. Hoad [6] 7-5 6-2
Coghlan [5] d. Carter [3] 8-10 6-4 6-1
Gibson [2] d. Southam 6-1 6-3

Semifinals

Fry [1] d. Penrose [4] 6-3 6-4
Gibson [2] d. Coghlan [5] 7-5 6-3

Final

Shirley Fry (US) [1] d. Althea Gibson (US) [2] 6-3 6-4

-----------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw 15)

1st Round

Shirley Fry (US)/Althea Gibson (US) [1]-bye
Jenny Hoad/Jill Langley d. Maureen McCalman/Elizabeth Orton 6-2 6-4
Lorraine Coghlan/Margaret Hellyer [4] d. Mary Carter/Marjorie Gibson 6-4 7-5
Nell Hopman/Gwen Thiele d. Joy Donoghue/Judy Tegart 6-2 2-6 6-4

Mary Hawton/Fay Muller [3] d. Lynette Bowden/Marjory Harrison 6-4 7-5
Beth Jones/Pat Parmenter d. Celia Johnstone/Esme Robertson 6-1 6-3
Bev Rae/Loris Southam d. Charlotte Watt/Dulcie Young 6-2 6-4
Margeret Carter/Beryl Penrose [2] d. Val Bandy/Margaret Stewart 6-1 6-2

Quarterfinals

Fry/Gibson [1] d. Hoad/Langley 6-1 6-2
Coghlan/Hellyer [4] d. Hopman/Thiele 7-5 7-5
Hawton/Muller [3] d. Jones/Parmenter 6-2 6-3
Carter/Penrose [2] d. Rae/Southam 6-3 4-6 6-1

Semifinals

Fry/Gibson [1] d. Coghlan/Hellyer [4] 6-1 6-1
Hawton/Muller [3] d. Carter/Penrose [2] 4-6 7-5 6-1

Final

Shirley Fry (US)/Althea Gibson (US) [1] d. Mary Hawton/Fay Muller [3] 6-2 6-1

-----------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=17)

1st Round

Beth Jones/Brian Bowman d. Lynette Bowden/David Shepherd 6-2 6-3

2nd Round

Althea Gibson (US)/Neale Fraser [1] d. Marjory Harrison/Roy Harrison 6-1 6-2
Loris Southam/Barry Phillips-Moore d. Joy Donoghue/Warren Woodcock 6-2 7-5
Fay Muller/Mal Anderson [4] d. Mary Carter/Pat O'Kane 6-0 6-1
Nell Hopman/Anthony Ryan d. Margaret Hellyer/Neil Gibson 1-6 7-5 6-4

Mary Carter/Graham Lovett d. Marjorie Gibson/Wayne Reid 8-6 6-3
Lorraine Coghlan/Bob Mark [3] d. Jones/Bowman 4-6 6-2 9-7
Jill Langley/Billy Knight (GB) d. Pat Parmenter/Bruce Gulley default
Shirley Fry (US)/Bob Howe [2] d. Gwen Thiele/Peter Newman default

Quarterfinals

Gibson/Fraser [1] d Southam/Phillips-Moore 6-2 6-4
Muller/Anderson [4] d Hopman/Ryan 6-1 6-2
Coghlan/Mark [3] d Carter/Lovett 6-3 8-10 6-1
Langley/Knight d Fry/Howe [2] 6-3 5-7 7-5

Semifinals

Muller/Anderson [4] d Gibson/Neale [1] 6-4 6-2
Langley/Knight d Coghlan/Mark 6-3 2-6 6-1

Final

Fay Muller/Mal Anderson [4] d. Jill Langley/Billy Knight (GB) 7-5 3-6 6-1

-----------------------------------------

Draw notes:

Delys Blackburn listed as "Dallas" Blackburn by Aussie site. We have confirmed Delys is correct.
Mary Carter=Reitano
Marjory Harrison=Mrs M. Harrison, playing here in all 3 events and with Roy Harrison in the mixed.
Jennifer Hoad=Staley. She married Aussie great Lew Hoad.
Thelma Long is doing an indoor circuit in Europe.
J Shearer=Jan Shearer
Southam=married name of Nichols (who played Wimbledon)
Judy Tegart's first Aussie Open. She played into the 1970s-her last Aussie in 1977.

----------------------------------------

Sources:

Used the Australian official web site for names.
Major thanks to GeeTee for providing many hard to find full names.

----------------------------------------

Summary:

The only Aussie ever entered by Fry and Gibson. Fry's win made her one of the few women ever to win all 4 slams in singles or doubles. She met the man she would marry in Australia and retired in 1957, leaving the circuit to the domination of Gibson. Althea's loss denies her winning all 4 slams.

A winner of the other three grand slams, 30 year old Shirley Fry won the Australian title. Known as a backcourt retriever who won her matches by plucky persistence, intense concentration and consistency, Fry had developed a more varied, penetrating and complete game by teaming up in doubles with Doris Hart a few years before. No one played the game with greater zest and sporting spirit, and her broad grin and general affability was popular with crowds.

These championships were the first in Australia to be the subject of television transmissions. The first pictures were beamed around Melbourne on 19 January 1957 and one of the exploits undertaken by the new medium to demonstrate it's expertise was a live cross to Kooyong for the tennis.

Touring with Althea Gibson, both reached the final. They had played a titanic match in the Victorian singles final with Fry coming through 4-6 9-7 8-6, after Gibson held match points in the both second and third sets and had squandered a 5-1 lead in the third. It was because Gibson seemed to have a mental block about beating Fry, that Fry went into the final as favorite. Both reached the final over the local competition in straight sets.

Fry had been a top player for years, whilst Gibson had arrived on the scene fairly recently, as she had been forced due to socio-economic reality to delay her introduction to top class tennis. This inexperience told in the final. Being called a number of times (7 in all) for foot faulting seemed to upset her concentration. Fry was running down everything as usual and thriving on unforced errors by Gibson at crucial stages. Fry's greater experience was the deciding factor in a 6-3 6-4 victory. The Aussie crowd of 7,000 favored Gibson. Fry retired shortly after her win, married, and despite rumors she would settle in Australia, settled in the US.

 

[Rollo]

1958

Dates: January 17-27
Venue: White City, Sydney
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=32)

1st Round

Lorraine Coghlan [2] d. Jan Shearer 6-3 6-3
Norma Marsh d. Yvonne Wells 6-3 6-2
Maureen McCalman [6] d. Margaret Ferguson 6-2 6-2
Margot Rayson d. Pat Parmenter 3-6 6-1 6-2
Mary Carter [3] d. Eva Duldig 10-8 6-2*
Lynette Bowden d. Val Roberts 6-4 6-2
Thelma Long [7] d. Jean Leonard 6-2 6-3
Beth Jones d. Gwen Thiele 9-7 6-0

Betty Holstein d. Jill Langley 6-3 6-2
Marjorie Gibson d. Daphne Fancutt (SA) [5] default
Mary Fenton d. Elizabeth Court 4-6 6-4 6-4
Mary Hawton [4] d. Jan Lehane 7-5 6-2
Alison Hattersley d. Judy Tegart 4-6 6-1 6-3
Fay Muller [8] d. Noelene Turner 6-3 6-3
Margaret Hellyer d. Nell Hopman 4-6 6-2 9-7
Anglea Mortimer (GB) [1] d. Dawn McCamley 6-2 6-0

2nd Round

Coghlan [2] d. Marsh 6-2 7-5
Rayson d. McCalman [6] 6-4 6-4
Carter [3] d. Bowden 10-8 6-2
Jones d. Long [7] default (leg injury)

Holstein d. Gibson 6-3 6-0
Hawton [4] d. Fenton 6-0 6-2
Muller [8] d. Hattersley 8-6 6-1
Mortimer [1] d. Hellyer 6-1 6-1

Quarterfinals

Coghlan [2] d. Rayson 6-3 6-1
Carter [3] d. Jones 8-6 6-1
Holstein d. Hawton [4] 7-5 6-8 6-4
Mortimer [1] d. Muller [8] 6-1 6-2

Semifinals

Coghlan [2] d. Carter [3] 6-1 6-1
Mortimer [1] d. Holstein 6-2 6-1

Final

Anglea Mortimer [1] d. Lorraine Coghlan [2] 6-3 6-4

-----------------------------------------

Junior Final

Jan Lehane d. Betty Holstein 7-5 6-1

-----------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=15)

1st Round

Mary Hawton/Thelma Long [1] d. Dawn Fogarty/Marjorie Gibson 6-1 6-1
Elizabeth Court/Eva Duldig d. Lynette Bowden/Alison Hattersley 6-0 6-4
Mary Carter/Fay Muller [3] d. Mary Sayers/B. Sneddon 6-2 6-1
Mary Fenton/Margaret Ferguson d. Jill Langley/Judy Tegart 9-7 6-3

Margaret Hellyer/Beth Jones d. Val Roberts/Gwen Thiele 6-2 6-3
Norma Marsh/Pat Parmenter [4] d. Jill Bowmen/Jean Leonard 6-3 6-3
Nell Hopman/Maureen McCalman d. Dawn McCamley/Yvonne Wells 9-7 7-5
Lorraine Coghlan/Angela Mortimer (GB) [1]-bye

Quarterfinals

Hawton/Long [1] d. Court/Duldig 6-2 6-0
Carter/Muller [3] d. Fenton/Ferguson 6-3 6-3
Marsh/Parmenter [4] d. Hellyer/Jones 6-8 8-6 6-3
Coghlan/Mortimer [2] d. Hopman/McCalman 6-0 6-0

Semifinals

Hawton/Long [1] d. Carter/Muller [3] 6-2 6-2
Coghlan/Mortimer [2] d. Marsh/Parmenter [4] 6-2 6-4

Final

Mary Hawton/Thelam Long [1] d. Coghlan/Mortimer[2] 7-5 6-8 6-2

-------------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=24)

1st Round

Mary Hawton/Bob Howe [1]-bye
Jill Bowman/R. Larsen-bye
Eva Duldig/Jack May-bye
Jill Langley/Rod Laver-bye
Maureen McCalman/John Fraser [4] d. Yvonne Wells/Rex Leahy 6-4 6-4
Margart Hellyer/Neil Gibson d. Lynette Bowden/Bruce Gulley 6-3 6-3
Pat Parmenter/John Pearce d. Gwen Thiele/Fred Stolle 8-6 4-6 6-4
Lorriane Coghlan/Bob Mark d. D. Anderson/R. Taylor 6-3 6-4

Thelma Long/Trevor Fancutt (SA) [3] d. Esme Ashford/Ross Sherriff 6-1 6-4
Nell Hopman/Barry Phillips-Moore d. Elizabeth Court/Wayne Reid 6-2 6-1
Angela Mortimer (GB)/Peter Newman d. Fay Muller/Pat O'Kane 8-6 8-6
Norma Marsh/Warren Jacques d. Daphne Fancutt (SA)/Barry MacKay (US) default
Beth Jones/Mike Green (US)-bye
Val Roberts/William Edwards-bye
Judy Tegart/Barry Peters-bye
Mary Carter/Graham Lovett [2]-bye

2nd Round

Hawton/Howe [1] d. Bowman/Larsen 6-1 6-2
Langley/Laver d. Duldig/May 6-3 6-3
Hellyer/Gibson d. McCalman/Fraser [4] default
Coghlan/Mark d. Parmenter/Pearce 6-8 6-2 6-4

Long/Fancutt [3] d. Hopman/Phillips-Moore 6-2 6-1
Mortimer/Newman d. Marsh/Jacques 6-1 6-4
Roberts/Edwards d. Jones/Green default
Carter/Lovett [2] d. Tegart/Peters 6-1 5-7 6-4

Quarterfinals

Hawton/Howe [1] d. Langley/Laver 6-3 14-16 6-1
Coghlan/Mark d. Hellyer/Gibson 6-2 6-1
Mortimer/Newman d. Long/Fancutt [3] 6-4 3-6 6-3
Carter/Lovett [2] d. Roberts/Edwards default

Semifinals

Hawton/Howe [1] d. Coghlan/Mark 6-4 6-2
Mortimer/Newman d. Carter/Lovett [2] 6-4 8-6

Final

Mary Hawton/Bob Howe [1] d. Angela Mortimer/Peter Newman 9-11 6-1 6-2

-----------------------------------------

Draw Notes:

Carter d. Bowden 6-1 6-2 according to one source, but (so far) following the reconstructed ITF draw.

Daphne Fancutt and Fay Muller were the original #3 seeds in doubles. Mary Carter filled Fancutt's place after she withdrew.

Daphne Fancutt and husband Trevor Fancutt were the original #3 seeds in the mixed. Thelma Long filled Daphne's place.
Maureen McCalman and Bary McKay were the original #4 mixed seeds. John Fraser replaced McKay.
Daphne Fancutt (SA) and Barry MacKay (US) eventually appear in the mixed raw as defaults.

Missing names for:

D. Anderson (Mixed only)
B. Snedden (Doubles only)

R. Larsen (male in Mixed)
R. Taylor (male in Mixed)

-----------------------------------------

Sources:

Women Tennis Australian Championship 1958 - Winner Angela Mortimer (GBR)
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/91255107?browse=ndp%3Abrowse%2Ftitle%2FC%2Ftitle%2F11%2F1958%2F01%2F13%2Fpage%2F7149134%2Farticle%2F91255107 (gives seeds)

-----------------------------------------

Summary:


Throughout the summer of 1957/58 England's Angela Mortimer and Victorian Lorraine Coghlan battled it out in the finals of the various state championships. They were crowd pleasing matches, characterised by hard hitting rallies and long baseline duels in which the sounder stroke production of the Australian was pitted against the tactical sense of the shrewd Englishwoman. Coming into the Australian singles it was two titles each.

Mortimer and Coghlan were ruthless in their way to the final, both not losing a set. The only highlights of the tournament was the younger brigade of Australians, Margot Rayson and Betty Holstein making their way into the quarterfinals. Rayson lost to Coghlan however Holstein surprised Mary Hawton 6-4 in the third before being thrashed by Mortimer.

Coghlan got off to a good start in the final establishing a 3-1 lead. But her first serve was not functioning at its best and Mortimer gradually capitalised with some highly effective drives. Mortimer seemed the more purposeful; the match was always close, but the vital points went Mortimer's way for a 6-3 6-4 victory.

Many top Aussie women defaulted. Thelma Long had a recurring leg and back injury. The veteran had cartilage removed from her leg only weeks before. Seeney also had back problems and Penrose was in a car accident the week before.

Nearing 40, Thelma stuck around in the doubles after defaulting her singles. It's her last Aussie title (the first was in the 1936) she collects her 12th doubles crown in an upset over the top seeds.

 

[Rollo]

1959

Dates: January 16 to 26
Venue: Memorial Drive, Adelaide
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=32)

1st Round

Renee Schuurman (SA) [2] d Margaret Ferguson 6-0 6-2
Joan Gray d. Judy Tegart 2-6 6-3 6-1
Eva Duldig d. Thelma Long [7] 6-3 6-4
Lesley Turner d. Jill Nitschke 6-0 6-0
Lorraine Coghlan [3] d. Barbara Tyson 6-1 6-0
Dawn Robberds d. Karin Le Mercier 6-2 6-1
Mary Hawton[6] d. Marie Beinke 6-2 6-1
Nell Hopman d. Yvonne Johnson 8-6 6-3

Beverley Rae d. M Miller 6-3 6-1
Betty Holstein[8] d. Fay Grant 6-2 4-6 6-1
Margaret Smith d. Caroline Astley 6-1 6-1
Mary Reitano[4] d. Jenny O'Brien 7-5 6-0
Gwen Thiele d. Lynette Bowden 6-3 6-1
Jan Lehane[5] d. Elizabeth Court 6-3 6-0
Jan Shearer d. Kay Newcombe 7-5 6-1
Sandra Reynolds (SA) [1] d. Robin Lesh 6-1 6-3

2nd Round

Schuurman [2] d. Gray 6-1 6-3
Turner d. Duldig 6-2 8-6
Coghlan [3] d. Robberds 6-3 6-1
Hawton [6] d. Hopman 6-0 6-0

Rae d. Holstein [8] 3-6 6-1 6-3
Reitano [4] d. Smith 6-4 7-5
Lehane [5] d. Thiele 6-1 6-1
Reynolds [1] d. Shearer 6-2 6-2

Quarterfinals

Schuurman [2] d. Turner 6-2 6-0
Hawton [6] d. Coghlan [3] 6-4 4-6 6-0
Reitano [4] d. Rae 8-6 6-4
Lehane[5] d. Reynolds[1] 6-3 6-4

Semifinals

Schuurman [2] d. Hawton [6] 6-3 6-0
Reitano [4] d. Lehane [5] 6-3 6-0

Final

Mary Reitano [4] d. Renee Schuurman (SA) [2] 6-2 6-3

-----------------------------------------

Junior Final

Jan Lehane [1] d. Margaret Smith 6-1 6-0

-----------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=14)

1st Round

Sandra Reynolds (SA)/Renee Schuurman (SA) [1]-bye
Robin Lesh/Beverley Rae d. M. Miller/Kay Newcombe 6-3 6-4
Betty Holstein/Jan Lehane [4] d. Dorn Fogarty/Jenny O'Brien 6-2 6-3
Nell Hopman/Judy Tegart d. Yvonne Johnson/Karin Le Mercier 6-4 6-0

Lorraine Coghlan/Mary Reitano [3] d. Caroline Astley/Jill Nitschke 6-2 6-1
Jan Shearer/Gwen Thiele d. Lynette Bowden/Barbara Tyson 6-1 6-2
Elizabeth Court/Eva Duldig d. Margaret Ferguson/Fay Grant 6-4 6-2
Mary Hawton/Thelma Long [2]-bye

Quarterfinals

Reynolds/Schuurman [1] d. Lesh/Rae 6-4 6-1
Holstein/Lehane [4] d. Hopman/Tegart 6-3 6-2
Coghlan/Reitano [3] d. Shearer/Thiele 7-5 7-5
Hawton/Long [2] d. Court/Duldig 6-2 6-2

Semifinals

Reynolds/Schuurman [1] d. Holstein/Lehane [4] 6-3 6-2
Coghlan/Reitano [3] d. Hawton/Long [2] 6-4 6-2

Final

Sandra Reynolds (SA)/Renee Schuurman (SA) [1] d. Lorriane Coghlan/Mary Reitano [3] 7-5 6-4

-----------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=9)

1st Round

Robin Lesh/John Hillebrand d. Lynette Bowden/Jim Moore 6-3 6-4

Quarterfinals

Sandra Reynolds (SA)/Bob Mark [1] d. Beverley Rae/Neil Gibson 8-6 6-2
Betty Holstein/Chris Crawford (US) [4] d. Lesh/Hillebrand 6-2 3-6 -97
Elizabeth Court/Wayne Reid d. Lorriane Coghlan/Bob Howe [3] 6-1 6-4
Renee Schuurman (SA)/Rod Laver [2] d. Eva Duldig/Barry Phillips-Moore 6-2 1-6 6-2

Semifinals

Reynolds/Mark [1] d. Holstein/Crawford [4] 6-3 6-3
Schuurman/Laver [2] d. Court/Reid 6-0 6-2

Final

Sandra Reynolds (SA)/Bob Mark [1] d Renee Schuurman (SA)/Rod Laver [2] 4-6 13-11 6-1

-----------------------------------------

Draw Notes:

Some confusion over name of Marion Beinke, pronounced 'Ben-Kee" Her name is confirmed and is not "Burke" or "Bink" (Thanks to Gee Tee for providing this information)

Yvonne Johnson=Mrs W Johnson

-----------------------------------------

Summary:

World top tenners South Africans Reynolds and Schuurman added interest to the field, but neither wins the title, as Reitano upsets Schuurman in the final. Mary's slice backhand and drop shot do the most damage. On the way to her win Mary beats little known Margaret Smith, competing in her first Aussie. It's the only time Smith will EVER lose in the Aussie before the quarters.

The heat was on, as temps were as high as 107 in the shade and 120 on court. Spectators abandoned the stands in droves, with the hardy few sweating it out from under bleachers or wide hats. Only the finals drew a decent crowd of 7,000.

Lehane is top seed for the Juniors and and #5 seed among women at age 17. Her coach is Vic Edwards (later coach of Evonne Goolagong) and she is considered Australia's future, crushing then unknown future great Margaret Smith (Court) in the juniors final 6-0 6-1. Her win over top seed Reynolds in the quarters is the shock of the event.

 

[Rollo]

1960 Australian Championships

Dates: January 22-February 1
Venue: Brisbane
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=32)

1st Round

Christine Truman (GB) [2] d. Val Wicks 6-0 6-3
Lesley Turner d. Sapphire Shipton 6-1 6-0
Betty Holstein [8] d. Rosemary White 6-0 6-1
Fay Muller d. Caroline Astley 6-0 6-1
Jan Lehane [3] d. Pat McLean 6-1 6-1
Jill Blackman d. Nell Hopman 3-6 6-2 6-0
Lorraine Robinson [5] d. Dorothy Whitely 6-2 6-2
Noelene Turner d. Shirley Lee default

Mary Hawton d. Joan Gray 6-1 6-2
Bev Rae [6] d. Felicity Harris 6-2 6-3
Madonna Schacht d. Jill Nitschke 6-0 6-0
Mary Reitano [4] d. Dot Day 6-2 6-1
Jan Shearer d. Robyn Ebbern 6-3 3-6 6-2
Margaret Smith [7] d. Dorothy Linde 6-1 6-0
Dawn Robberds d. Gwen Thiele 4-6 6-1 6-2
Maria Bueno (Bra) [1] d. Val Craig 6-2 6-1

2nd Round

Truman [2] d. L Turner 3-6 6-1 6-2
Muller d. Holstein [8] 6-1 6-4
Lehane [3] d. Blackman 6-2 6-0
Robinson [5] d. N.Turner 6-2 6-3

Hawton d. Rae [6] 6-2 6-1
Reitano [4] d. Schacht 9-7 6-4
Smith [7] d. Shearer 6-3 6-2
Bueno [1] d. Robberds 6-1 6-0

Quarterfinals

Truman [2] d. Muller 6-0 6-0
Lehane [3] d. Robinson [5] 6-1 6-1
Reitano [4] d. Hawton 6-2 8-6
Smith [7] d. Bueno [1] 7-5 3-6 6-4

Semifinals

Lehane [3] d. Truman [2] 7-5 3-6 7-5
Smith [7] d. Reitano [4] 7-5 2-6 6-2

Final

Margaret Smith [7] d. Jan Lehane [3] 7-5 6-2

Shock winner of the 1960 title Margaret Smith

-----------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=15)

1st Round

Maria Bueno (Bra)/Christine Truman (GB) [1] d. Val Craig/Lorraine Saywell 6-2 6-1
Betty Holstein/Sapphire Shipman d. Caroline Astley/Jill Nitschke 6-0 6-4
Mary Hawton/Fay Muller[4] d. Dorothy Linde/Pat McLean 6-4 6-1
Robyn Ebbern/Madonna Schacht d. Nell Hopman/Bev Rae 6-0 4-2 retired

Gwen Thiele/Jan Shearer d. Jill Blackman/Dawn Robberds default
Jan Lehane/Mary Reitano [3] d. Joan Gray/Rosemary White 6-1 6-1
Lesley Turner/Noelene Turner d. Shirley Lee/Dot Duff default
Lorraine Robinson/Margaret Smith [2]-bye

Quarterfinals

Bueno/Truman [1] d. Holstein/Shipton 6-2 6-1
Hawton/Muller [4] d. Ebbern/Schacht default
Lehane/Reitano [3] d. Thiele/Shearer 6-3 6-1
Coghlan-Robinson/Smith [2] d. Turner/Turner 5-7 10-8 8-6

Semifinals

Bueno/Truman [1] d. Hawton/Muller [4] 6-4 11-9
Robinson/Smith [2] d. Lehane/Reitano [3] 4-6 6-0 6-3

Final

Maria Bueno/Christine Truman [1] d. Lorraine Robinson/Margaret Smith [2] 6-2 5-7 6-2

-----------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=15)

1st Round

Maria Bueno (Bra)/Bob Howe [1]-bye
Jan Shearer/Robert Pearson d. Bev Rae/Brian Tobin 2-6 6-4 7-5
Lorraine Robinson/Bob Hewitt [4] d. Gwen Thiele/Jim Moore 6-2 3-6 6-2
Jan Lehane/Trevor Fancutt d. Pat McLean/John O'Brien default

Betty Holstein/Fred Stolle d. Rosemary White/Neil Gibson 6-1 9-7
Christine Truman (GB)/Marty Mulligan [3] d. Sapphire Shipton/Frank Gorman 4-6 6-4 6-1
Noelene Turner/Ken Fletcher d. Jill Nitschke/Alan Lane 6-4 6-1
Mary Reitano/Bob Mark [2] d. Val Craig/Bill O'Shea 6-1 6-3

Quarterfinals

Bueno/Howe [1] d Shearer/Pearson 6-2 5-7 6-1
Lehane/Fancutt d Robinson/Hewitt [4] 3-6 6-3 6-4
Truman/Mulligan [3] d Holstein/Stolle 6-3 3-6 6-4
Reitano/Mark [2] d N Turner/Fletcher 4-6 6-3 6-0

Semifinals

Lehane/Fancutt d Bueno/Howe [1] 6-4 6-4
Reitano/Mark [2] d Truman/Mulligan [3] 6-1 6-3

Final

Jan Lehane/Trevor Fancutt d Mary Reitano/Bob Mark [2] 6-2 7-5

-----------------------------------------

Draw notes:

Slated to start on January 22; the first day was totally rained out.

All names are complete.

F. Hall=Felicity Hall.
Reitano = nee Mary Carter
Robberds also listed as Roberts by the NYT. Robberds is correct.
Mrs J Robinson= nee Lorraine Coughlan
N. Turner = Noelene sister of Lesley

-----------------------------------------

Summary:

Maria Bueno's plans for a Grand Slam go up in smoke as Margaret Smith produces passing shots "not seen since Mo Connolly" to beat her. Just a couple of weeks before in Adelaide Smith had manged only 3 games vs. The Senorita.

Margaret sped to a 5-2 lead in the third by mixing in deadly passing shots ans strong serve. Both discouraged Bueno from seeking the net. As if the senorita didn't have enough to worry about her right hand began to cramp. When Maria dramatically fell reaching for a volley the match appeared in the bag as Smith led 5-2. The youngster got nervous however, and the world #1 pulled up to 4-5 before Smith won as a Bueno backhand hit the tape on the third match point.

Searing heat (present all week) is a clear factor in the second shocker of a semi as Jan Lehane takes out the second foreign favoite Christine Truman. Both women suffer in the frying pan conditions.

The women took their ten minute break as is customary here on splitting sets. Lehane fainted when she reached the dressing room. It took ambulance attendants to revive her. Truman also got assistance courstside from the very same crew in the 11th game of the deciding set. Christine cries from painful leg cramps at 5-6 and loses the match 7-5.

It wasn't only women who suffered from heat exhaustion-Neale Fraser also collapsed after the men's final.

The Aussie press debated what the upsets of the world's #1 and #2 players meant. Was this the start of an Aussie golden age in women's tennis, or merely Bueno and Truman wilting in tropical heat? Margaret Smith proved the superior player vs Lehane in the final. At the time no one could predict that Smith wouldn't lose a singles again in this event until 1968.

Turner wins the junior girls final over Smith.

The sexism in Australian tennis still reigns. Laver received a lovely silver tea service for his victory; Margaret merely an umbrella for hers. Lacking financial support, Smith doesn't make an international tour this year. Meanwhile Laver and lesser males tour the world fully funded by the Aussie LTA.

 

[Rollo]

1961

Dates: January 21 to 27
Venue: Kooyong, Melbourne
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=43)

1st Round

Margaret Smith [1]-bye
Pat McLean-bye
Dorothy Whitely-bye
Caroline Astley-bye
Bev Rae [8]-bye
Fay Toyne-bye
Kaye Dening-bye
Nell Hopman-bye

Lesley Turner [3]-bye
Judith Robinson-bye
Val Wicks d. Helen Patterson 6-1 6-0
Margot Rayson d. Margaret McKee 6-2 1-6 6-2
Maureen Pratt [6] d. Rosemary Gibson 6-0 6-2
Heather Ross d. Val Craig 6-4 6-2
Noelene Turner d. Janet McArthur 6-0 6-2
Robyn Ebbern d. Vivienne Cox (GB) 6-2 6-1

Loris Southam d. Helen Plaisted 6-2 4-6 6-4
Dawn Robberds d. Mary Hicks 6-1 6-2
Madonna Schacht d. Helen Slattery 6-1 6-0
Mary Hawton [5] d. Margaret Buck 6-1 6-2
Gwen Thiele d. Lyn Ockerby 6-3 6-1
Jill Blackman d. Eva Duldig 6-2 6-4
Robin Lesh-bye
Mary Reitano [4]-bye

Dianne Gugeri-bye
Judy Tegaret-bye
Gwen Toohey-bye
Fay Robinson [7]-bye
Felicity Harris-bye
Sapphire Shipton-bye
Marie Burke-bye
Jan Lehane [2]-bye

2nd Round

Smith [1]d. McLean 6-0 6-0
Whitely d. Astley 6-8 6-0 6-0
Rae [8] d. Toyne 7-5 6-2
Dening d. Hopman 6-1 6-1
Turner [3] d. J.Robinson 6-2 6-3
Wicks d. Rayson 6-3 1-6 8-6
Pratt [6] d. Ross 6-4 6-3
Ebbern d. N.Turner 6-0 6-4

Robberds d. Southam 6-8 6-3 6-1
Hawton [5] d. Schacht 6-2 6-3
Blackman d. Thiele 6-4 8-6
Reitano [4] d. Lesh 4-6 6-3 8-6
Tegart d. Gugeri 6-0 6-2
Robinson [7] d. Toohey 6-1 6-3
Shipton d. Harris 4-6 6-1 6-4
Lehane [2] d. Burke 6-0 6-0

3rd Round

Smith [1] d. Whitely 6-4 6-2
Dening d. Rae [8] 6-2 3-6 6-1
Wicks d. Turner [3] default
Ebbern d. Pratt [7] 3-6 6-4 6-4

Hawton [5] d. Robberds 4-6 6-1 6-1
Reitano [4] d. Blackman 4-6 6-3 8-6
Robinson [7] d. Tegart 6-4 6-8 6-4
Lehane [2] d. Shipton 6-2 6-1

Quarterfinals

Smith [1] d. Dening 6-4 6-3
Ebbern d. Wicks 6-4 6-2
Reitano [4] d. Hawton [5] 6-4 6-2
Lehane [2] d. Robinson [7] 6-2 6-2

Semifinals

Smith [1] d. Ebbern 6-2 6-0
Lehane [2] d. Reitano [4] 6-2 4-6 6-1

Final

Margaret Smith [1] d. Jan Lehane [2] 6-1 6-4

Jan Lehane was runnerup again in 1961

-----------------------------------------

Junior final

Robyn Ebbern d. Faye Toyne 4-6 8-6 6-0

-----------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=20)

1st Round

Faye Toyne/Val Wicks d. Esme Robertson/L. Meates 6-4 6-2
Bev Rae/Loris Southam d. Caroline Astley/Mrs J.P. Young 6-1 6-2
Elizabeth Court/Eva Duldig d. Alison Hattersley/Lyn Ockerby 6-0 6-3
Robyn Ebbern/Madonna Schacht d. Heather McArthur/Janet McArthur 6-1 6-2

2nd Round

Mary Reitano/Margaret Smith[1] d. Marie Burke/Helen Slattery 6-3 6-1
Jill Blackman/Dawn Robberds d. Mrs Neil Gibson/Mary Hicks 6-3 6-4
Fay Robinson/Judy Tegart [4] d. Vivienne Cox (GB)/Margot Rayson 6-2 7-5
Fay Toyne/Val Wicks d. Bev Rae/Loris Southam 6-2 6-8 6-4

Robyn Ebbern/Madonna Schacht d. Court/Duldig 7-5 3-6 8-6
Lesley Turner/Noelene Turner[3] d. Gwen Thiele/Pat McLean 6-2 6-3
Nell Hopman/Maureen Pratt d. Robin Lesh/Sapphire Shipton 4-6 6-1 7-5
Mary Hawton/Jan Lehane[2] d. Margaret Buck/Val Craig 6-2 6-1

Quarterfinals

Reitano/Smith[1] d. Blackman/Robberds 6-2 6-4
Robinson/Tegart[4] d. Toyne/Wicks 6-2 6-2
Ebbern/Schacht d. Turner/Turner[3] 6-3 4-6 6-4
Hawton/Lehane[2] d. Hopman/Pratt 6-1 6-1

Semifinals

Reitano/Smith[1] d. Robinson/Tegart[4] 6-3 6-2
Hawton/Lehane[2] d. Ebbern/Schacht 6-2 9-7

Final

Reitano/Smith[1] d. Hawton/Lehane[2] 6-4 3-6 7-5

-----------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=20)

1st Round

Mary Reitano/John Pearce d. Gwen Thiele/Richard Potter 6-4 6-2
Elizabeth Court/Bob Pearson d. Vivienne Cox (GB)/Jim Shepherd 6-3 6-3
Judith Robinson/Ken Fletcher d. Noelene Turner/Marty Mulligan 6-1 6-4
Mrs Neil Gibson/Neil Gibson d. Lyn Ockerby/Paul Graham Jones 6-0 6-1

2nd Round

Dulcie Young/Fred Stolle d. Pat McLean/Wayne Millen default
Sapphire Shipton/Barry Phillips-Moore d Mary Hicks/Alan Hicks 6-2 6-3
Judy Tegart/Wayne Reid d Robyn Lesh/Allan Shapter 13-11 6-3
Reitano/Pearce d. Court/Pearson 7-5 6-2

Robinson/Fletcher d. Gibson/Gibson 2-6 6-3 6-3
Jan Lehane/Bob Hewitt d Janet McArthur/Peter McPherson 6-4 6-1
Margot Rawson/Pat O'Kane d Dawn Robberds/Greg Hughes 6-3 8-6
Mary Hawton/Bob Howe d Eva Duldig/Mike Hann (GB) 6-2 8-6

Quarterfinals

Young/Stolle d Shipton/Phillips Moore 6-2 12-10
Reitano/Pearce d Tegart/Reid 20-18 6-3
Lehane/Hewitt d Robinson/Fletcher 6-4 6-4
Hawton/Howe d Rawson/O'Kane 6-4 6-4

Semifinals

Reitano/Pearce d Young/Stolle 7-5 5-7 11-9
Lehane/Hewitt d Hawton/Howe 6-4 1-6 9-7

Final

Jan Lehane/Bob Hewitt d Mary Reitano/John Pearce 9-7 6-2

-----------------------------------------

Draw Notes:

Only 1 foreign entry in the women's singles

Mrs A Hicks-Mary Hicks
Mrs R Pratt=Maureen Pratt
Mrs Southam=nee Loris Nichols

-----------------------------------------

Summary:

Feminism has come to Australia. The women decided as a group to lock themselves in their dressing room (see 1956 notes) until given a decent share of matches on center court. "It was led by Mary Reitano, normally the quietest little mouse around." The tournament committee reconsidered allocation of matches.

Temps averaging 105 to 107 Farenheit kept fans away. By day 5 only 500 had paid to see the action. Lesley Turner was ordered by her doctor to withdraw from heat exhaustion.

The heat for the semis was especially brutal-125 degrees.

Margaret Smith (Court) demonstrates 1960 was no fluke by repeating. She will now join Lehane, Turner and a couple other girls in an overseas tour. Blisters on her feet hurt Lehane in the final. Margaret served ball after ball out wide to Jan's two handed backhand-hitting any returns into the open court.

 

[Rollo]

1962 Australian Championships

Dates: January 4 to 15
Venue: White City, Sydney
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=48)

1st Round

Margaret Smith [1]-bye
Jenny Robinson d. Pat McClenaughan 6-4 6-3
Mary Fenton d. Joan Wrench 6-1 6-4
Dorothy Whiteley [16]-bye
Robyn Ebbern [7]-bye
Gwen Thiele d. Carol Sheriff 6-4 6-1
Lynn Bellamy d. Helen Patterson 7-9 6-2 6-4
Judy Tegart [9]-bye

Yola Ramirez (Mex) [4]-bye
Pat McLean d. B. Thomas 6-3 6-3
Nell Hopman d. Carol Easy 8-6 6-3
Jill Blackman [13]-bye
Madonna Schacht [8]-bye
Margaret Harris d. Joan Gibson 6-3 4-6 6-4
Heather Ross d. Gail Sheriff 6-3 6-1
Norma Marsh [12]-bye

Fay Robinson [11]-bye
Jill Starr d. Sally Melrose (NZ) 6-1 6-1
Carol Newman d. Gwenda Don 5-7 6-4 6-3
Mary Reitano [6]-bye
Faye Toyne [12]-bye
Jenny Trewby (GB) d. M. Schofield 6-0 6-2
Lorraine Plummer d. Coleen Pinch 6-3 7-5
Lesley Turner [3]-bye

Mary Hawton [10]-bye
Kay Dening d. Val Craig 6-4 6-4
Val Wicks d. Jan Blackburne 6-1 6-1
Jan Lehane [5]-bye
Bev Rae [15]-bye
Helen Plaisted d. Lorraine O'Neil 6-4 6-4
Gwen Toohey d. Nancy Searston 6-3 6-2
Darlene Hard (US) [2]-bye

2nd Round

Smith [1] d. J. Robinson 6-0 6-2
Fenton d. Whitely [16] 8-6 7-5
Ebbern [7] d. Thiele 6-2 6-4
Tegart [9] d. Bellamy 6-4 6-2
Ramirez [4] d. Mclean 6-2 6-1
Blackman [13] d. Hopman 6-2 6-2
Schacht [8] d. Harris 6-1 6-3
Marsh [12] d. Ross 6-4 6-2

F. Robinson [11] d. Starr 9-7 6-4
Reitano [6] d. Newman 6-3 4-6 6-4
Toyne [12] d. Trewby 2-6 6-3 6-3
Turner [3] d. Plumer 6-0 6-0
Hawton [10] d. Dening 6-4 0-6 6-3
Lehane [5] d. Wicks 8-6 6-1
Rae [15] d. Plaisted 6-3 6-3
Hard [2] d. Toohey 6-0 6-3

3rd Round

Smith [1] d. Fenton 6-1 6-1
Tegart [9] d. Ebbern [7] 7-5 6-4
Ramirez [4] d. Blackman [13] 8-6 6-2
Marsh [12] d. Schacht [8] 4-6 6-3 10-8

Reitano [6] d. Robinson [11] 6-3 6-1
Turner [3] d. Toyne [12] 5-7 6-1 6-3
Lehane [5] d. Hawton [10] 6-0 6-1
Hard [2] d. Rae [15] 6-3 6-2

Quarterfinals

Smith [1] d. Tegart [9] 6-2 7-5
Ramirez [4] d. Marsh [12] 5-7 6-0 6-3
Reitano [6] d. Turner [3] 6-1 1-6 6-2
Lehane [5] d. Hard [2] 7-5 6-4

Semifinals

Smith [1] d. Ramirez [4] 6-2 6-1
Lehane [5] d. Reitano [6] 6-2 2-6 6-4

Final

Margaret Smith [1] d. Jan Lehane [5] 6-0 6-2

Champion Margaret Smith in a photo dated 1962

-----------------------------------------

Junior Final

Robyn Ebbern d. Madonna Schacht 6-4 6-3

-----------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=15)

1st Round

Darlene Hard (US)/Mary Reitano [1] d. Jenny Robinson/Gwen Toohey 6-2 3-6 6-2
Norma Marsh/Dorothy Whitely d. Nell Hopman/Bev Rae 6-4 6-3
Jan Lehane/Lesley Turner [3] d. Fay Toyne/Val Wicks 6-4 6-1
Jill Blackman/Kaye Dening d. Val Craig/Helen Plaisted 6-2 8-6

Mary Hawton/Yola Ramirez (Mex) [4] d. Cheryl Begbie/Ann Jenkins 4-6 6-4 6-0
Fay Robinson/Judy Tegart d. Pat McLean/Sally Melrose (NZ) 6-0 6-0
Carol Newman/Jenny Trewby (GB) d. Heather Ross/Gwen Thiele 6-4 6-3
Robyn Ebbern/Margaret Smith [2] d. Mary Fenton/Nancy Searston 6-2 6-1

Quarterfinals

Hard/Reitano [1] d. Marsh/Whitely 6-3 3-6 6-1
Lehane/Turner [3] d. Blackman/Dening 6-2 6-3
F. Robinson/Tegart d. Hawton/Ramirez [4] 6-4 7-5
Ebbern/Smith [2] d. Newman/Trewby 6-0 6-4

Semifinals

Hard/Reitano [1] d. Lehane/Turner [3] 8-6 6-4
Ebbern/Smith [2] d. F. Robinson/Tegart [4] 6-3 6-4

Final

Robyn Ebbern/Margaret Smith [2] d. Darlene Hard (US)/Mary Reitano [2] 6-4 6-4

-----------------------------------------

Juniors Final

Robyn Ebbern d. Madonna Schacht 6-4 6-3

--------------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=15)

1st Round

Lesley Turner/Fred Stolle [1] d. Gwen Thiele/Peter McPherson 6-3 6-4
Bev Rae/Alan Lane d. Helen Plaisted/Geoff Pares 6-3 6-2
Yola Ramirez (Mex)/Willy Bungert (Ger) [4] d. Marilyn Wise/Jack Martin 6-1 6-1
Norma Marsh/May d. Madonna Schacht/Jim Shepherd 6-2 6-2

Judy Tegart/Ingo Buding (Ger) d. Jenny Robinson/Jim Moore 6-2 6-4
Jan Lehane/Bob Hewitt [3] d. Jenny Trewby/Abe Bayley 6-4 6-4
Jill Blackman/Bill Coghlan d. Jan Blackburne/John McDonald (NZ) 8-6 6-3
Darlene Hard (US)/Roger Taylor (GB) [2]-bye

Quarterfinals

Turner/Stolle [1] d Rae/Lane 6-2 6-4
Ramirez/Bungert [4] d Marsh/May 6-1 6-2
Lehane/Hewitt [3] d Tegart/Buding 7-5 6-2
Hard/Taylor [2] d. Blackman/Coghlan 7-5 6-1

Semifinals

Turner/Stolle [1] d. Ramirez/Bungert [4] 3-6 10-8 6-0
Hard/Taylor [2] d. Lehane/Hewitt [3] 6-3 5-7 6-4

Final

Lesley Turner/Fred Stolle [1] d Darlene Hard (US)/Roger Taylor (GB) [2] 6-3 9-7

-----------------------------------------

Draw Notes:

The Canberra Times, NYT, and World Tennis lists Tegart's partner as Fay (nee Muller) Robinson, not Lorraine (nee Coghlan, who also wed a Mr Robinson), the name the Aussie web site uses.

The New York Times calls Judith Robinson "Jenny"-as does the Canberra Times.

The #11 and #13 seeds are inferred, as the Aussie site lists both women at #1

Missing full names for:

M. Schofield. She perhaps=Mrs Max Schofield of Penrith, NSW.
B. Thomas

Mr May, mixed partner of Norma Marsh

-----------------------------------------

Sources:

The official Australian website.
New York Times to fill in gaps in names


-----------------------------------------

Summary:

Smith (later Court) easily wins her 3rd consecutive Aussie, dropping only 16 games in 5 matches. The public is disappointed that the American rival Darlene Hard didn't make the finals, as she and Margaret have a bitter rivalry. Finalist Jan Lehane is the first top ten female with a two-handed (or two fisted as it's called in the 60's) backhand.

Smith and Lehane play the first ever ladies slam final at night under lights. It lasts only 35 minutes.

Mary Reitano retires after this slam. The Aussies nicknamed her "Miss Poker face", and she won 2 Aussies in her career.

Ebbern and Smith take the doubles in a surprise. Darlene Hard and Yola Ramirez had partnered each other on the Aussie circuit until the championships. The doubles final was the first ever slam title match decided under lights. Rain had dictated the move. The slippery court also led Darlene to use spikes to avoid slipping and falling on the grass. Ebbern and Smith directed their attack at the softer hitting Reitano.

 

[Rollo]

1963

January 10-19
Venue: Adelaide
Surface: Grass

-----------------------------------------

Singles (Draw=39)

1st Round

Margaret Harris d. Colleen Pinch 6-1 6-2
Gwenda Don d. Ingrid Serrutier 6-4 6-0
Mary Hawton d. Helen Patterson 6-2 6-3
Pat McClenaughan d. Julie Hart 6-2 2-6 6-1
Gwen Toohey d. Anne Bouchat 6-0 6-2
Cheryl Begbie d. Mary Hicks 6-1 5-7 6-3
Sancha Ebbern d. Carol Easy 7-5 6-3

2nd Round

Lesley Turner [2] d. Harris 6-2 6-3
Kerry Melville d. Gwen Thiele 6-0 6-0
Elizabeth Starkie [6] d. Don 6-3 6-2
Carol Newman d. Faye Toyne 6-3 2-6 6-1
Jan Lehane [3] d. Hawton 6-2 6-0
Gail Sherriff d. Judy Tegart 6-4 6-0
Madonna Schacht [8] d. McClanaughan 6-3 6-3
Heather Ross d. Helen Plaisted 9-7 6-1

Jill Blackman d. Lynne Nette 6-1 6-1
Robyn Ebbern [5] d. Toohey 6-3 3-6 6-0
Kay Dening d. Jill Starr 6-0 6-0
Begbie d. Christine Truman [4] default
Ann Jenkins d. Norma Marsh 6-4 2-6 8-6
Rita Bentley [7] d. Maree Schacht 6-2 6-2
Joan Gibson d. Fay Muller 8-6 6-2
Margaret Smith [1] d. S Ebbern 6-0 6-0

3rd Round

Turner [2] d. Melville 6-3 6-0
Starkie [6] d. Newman 6-2 3-6 6-1
Lehane [3] d. Sherriff 6-2 6-1
Schacht [8] d. Ross 6-3 6-1

Ebbern [5] d. Blackman 6-2 6-4
Dening d. Begbie 4-6 6-1 6-3
Bentley [7] d. Jenkins 9-7 6-1
Smith [1] d. Gibson 6-2 6-3

Quarterfinals

Turner [2] d. Starkie [6] 6-2 1-6 6-2
Lehane [3] d. Schacht [8] 6-1 6-4
Ebbern [5] d. Dening 6-2 6-4
Smith [1] d. Bentley 6-1 6-3

Semifinals

Lehane [3] d. Turner [2] 5-7 6-3 6-2
Smith [1] d. Ebbern [5] 6-1 6-3

Final

Margaret Smith[1] d. Jan Lehane [3] 6-2 6-2
-----------------------------------------

Junior Final

Robyn Ebbern d. Kaye Dening 7-5 6-3

-----------------------------------------

Doubles (Draw=15)

1st Round

Robyn Ebbern/Margaret Smith[1] d. Anne Bouchat/C Haynes 6-0 6-1
Norma Marsh/Lynne Nette d. Julie Hart/Heather McArthur 6-2 6-2
Elizabeth Starkie (GB)/Judy Tegart [4] d. Carol Newman/Gwen Toohey 4-6 6-1 6-3
Fay Muller/Faye Toyne d. Pat McLean/Gwen Thiele 12-10 6-3

Kay Dening/Mary Hawton d. Heather Ross/Jill Starr 6-1 6-3
Joan Gibson/Madonna Schacht[3] d. Cheryl Begbie/Ann Jenkins 7-5 6-4
Rita Bentley (GB)/Jill Blackman d. Helen Plaisted/Lorraine Plummer 6-3 6-4
Jan Lehane/Lesley Turner[2]-bye

Quarterfinals

Ebbern/Smith [1] d. Marsh/Nette 6-0 6-0
Starkie/Tegart [4] d. Muller/Toyne 6-4 6-3
Gibson/Schacht [3] d. Dening/Hawton 2-6 6-4 6-4
Lehane/Turner [2] d. Bentley/Blackman 4-6 6-1 6-2

Semifinals

Ebbern/Smith [1] d. Starkie/Tegart [4] 6-2 6-2
Lehane/Turner [2] d. Gibson/Schacht [3] 4-6 6-1 6-2

Final

Robyn Ebbern/Margaret Smith[1] d. Jan Lehane/Lesley Turner[2] 6-1 6-3

-----------------------------------------

Mixed Doubles (Draw=22)

1st Round

Heather Ross/John Hillebrand d. Szelenyi/Eric Drossart (Bel) 6-1 6-3
Helen Plaisted/Brian Tobin d. Potter/Richard Potter 6-2 6-2
Carol Newman/Barry Phillips-Moore d. Fay Muller/Jim Moore 6-4 3-6 6-4
Elizabeth Starkie (GB)/Mark Cox (GB) d. Gwen Thiele/Owen Davidson 9-7 7-5
Lynne Nette/Neville Nette d. Lorraine Plummer/Plummer 6-4 8-6
Faye Toyne/Bill Bowrey d. Helen McArthur/Gary Baulch 7-5 6-2

2nd Round

Lesley Turner/Fred Stolle [1] (1) d. Ross/Hillebrand 6-4 6-2
Mary Hawton/John Fraser [8] d. Plaisted/Tobin 6-4 1-6 7-5
Jan Lehane/John Newcombe [3] d. Coleen Pinch/Peter McPherson 6-2 6-1
Rita Bentley (GB)/Marty Mulligan [6] d. Jill Starr/Warren Jacques default

Newman/Phillips-Moore d. Madonna Schacht/Bob Hewitt [5] 0-6 6-2 6-4
Starkie/Cox d. Judy Tegart/Bob Howe [4] 6-3 7-5
Jill Blackman/Roger Taylor [7] d. Nette/Nette 4-6 6-3 6-4
Margaret Smith/Ken Fletcher [2] d. Toyne/Bowrey 6-2 6-2

Quarterfinals

Turner/Stolle [1] d Hawton/Fraser [8] 6-2 6-3
Lehane/Newcomber [3] d Bentley/Mulligan [6] 6-0 5-7 6-4
Starkie/Cox d Newman/Phillips-Moore 3-6 6-1 6-1
Smith/Fletcher [2] d Blackman/Taylor [7] 6-3 6-3

Semifinals

Turner/Stolle [1] d Lehane/Newcombe [3] 6-2 6-3
Smith/Fletcher [2] d Starkie/Cox 7-5 6-4

Final

Margaret Smith/Ken Fletcher [2] d. Lesely Turner/Fred Stolle [1] 7-5 5-7 6-4

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Draw Notes:

P Hart=Julie Hart

Fay Muller now appears under her maiden name. Was she divorced or widowed from the previous year?

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Summary:

3 British gals are the only foreigners-and #4 seed Christine Truman defaults before she plays her first match. Christine cuts short her tour due to a weight problem and returns to Britain. Truman pays her own way around the world.

Searing heat early on (it topped 100 F) gave way to cooler temps. Players were unwilling to play night matches as a means of catching up.

Lehane loses in the finals to Smith for the 4th year in a row despite the crowd cheering for her. Smith was under a lot of pressure due to a controversy with the Aussie LTA (Lawn Tennis Association). In 1962 Smith refused to tour with chaperone Nell Hopman and the other Aussie girls. It was so bad at one point she was preparing to emigrate to New Zealand. Finally the LTA let the "rebel" make a private overseas tour, where Hopman had the other Aussie girls shun her. Smith's reaction was to practice with the men. Smith also won the doubles and mixed for a triple crown. She and Fletcher would capture the mixed grand slam in 1963.

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Sources:

The Grand Slam Book
World Tennis