Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954), Monday 19 June 1950, page 15


BROWN DEFEATS SI DWELL AFTER

THREE-HOUR STRUGGLE

LONDON, Sunday.-In a three-set marathon of 62 games, which lasted nearly three hours, ( Australian Davis Cup player Geoff Brown yesterday won the Kent lawn tennis championships singles title for the second time, and showed he is-building up to Wimbledon form. He was successful in 1948 and yesterday defeated fellow Australian Billy Sidwell, 8-6, 7-9, 17-15.

It was a sparkling match, with Brown relying mainly on a cannonball service, which, on a "bowler's wicket," showed he can beat the best.

After his win Brown said: "My game is improving with each tournament and I am looking forward to Wimbledon with confi

dence^_' ? _

The first 12 games went with the service but Brown, in the third set, at 7-6, saved two match points to clinch the win. In the 25th game he again took Sidwell's service but had to battle on to the 31st game before final victory.

Sidwell's complaining court manner and fiddling tactics, notorious in Australia, had Kent spectators more than annoyed.

Sidwell afterwards explained bis conduct by recalling that 10 years ago he trod on a ball and received an injury which put him out of competitive tennis for three months. This, he said, was the reason for his attitude.

The men's doubles final resulted in Mulloy and Sturgess defeating Brown and Sidwell, 10-8, 3-6,

6-2.

Gussie Moran won the women's singles title, defeating her American compatriot, Nancy Morrison,

4-6, 6-1, 6-2._