The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1899-05-16
TITLE IS HELD
Miss Hart Remains a
Champion at Singles.
Defeats Mss Hoffman in the Ch sest OF Con
tests Best Playing Ever
Sc Here.

The title Of champion of the Ha-
wailan Islands in tennis ladies singles
still belongs to Miss Hart. But only
after the most exciting contest that
has been played by ladies' In these ISL
ands was 1t so determined. Back and
forth went the tide Of victory. For Il
time 1t seemed that the honor would
be easily retained by the Island girl.
But soon the wonderful play Of her
opponent made II seem qualiy certain
that u new victor would wear the title.
The spectators were at high pitch OF
excitement. As every point brought
out brilliant plays the applause was
loud and continuous.
The whole five sets were necessary
before either could claim the title.
The first rapidly went to Miss Hart.
People shook their heads and said the
result was easily foretold. But when
the next Sc went as quickly to Miss
| Hoffman, the enthusiasts settled down
to watch the magnificent play. rhe
third set went to the winner, Of the
second The form showed by Mis-
Hoffman was surprising. Nothing wa'
too difficult for her. Try as Miss Har
would she could not pass the stone
wall defense on the opposite side o
the net. At the conclusion OF thu
third set the same people who haC
said before that Miss Hart would wiz
easily began to look for a victory fol
Miss Hoffman. But in the fourth sci
the champion showed a remarkable
change OF form. She appeared re-
freshed and kept her opponent away
from the net. Her placing was clever
and her drives were true. To the sur
prise of the specie or "he won the "et
as easily as the first.
The final set now remained Thl
play had commenced at 4:30 II wa
now after 6 o'clock and beginning t
grow dark. The match belonged u
anybody. Back and forth bounded the
balls until the score stood two sets
and three games all. 1t began to lool
as II the contest would have to bC
postponed on account of darkness. Mis-
Hart evidently realized this and started
in To win. She drove and placed nov
In one corner of Miss Hoifman's court
now In the other. The pace soon told
aud before the people could realize |
the set was over. the match was won
and Miss Hart still held the champion
ship There was a loud burst OF ap
plausc. The two players shook hand
and then worked through the crow,
under perfect storm of congratula
tions.
The contest started promptly a
430 and was of over two hours du
ration. T.. Il. Adams oiliciated as um
pire, while L. A. Mott-Smith, Clarenc
Cooke. u. Howard Hitchcock an
Frank Atherton acted as linesmer
The scores OF the separate sets were
6-l, 2-6, &c, G-l, G-S, in favor O
Miss Hart.
Old players pronounced 1t the bes
contest of ladies' singles that has peel
played on any local court. 1t woult
be difficult 10 find two more eyenl.
matched players. Hardly a point wa
won except after u prolonged rally
which would be replete with brilllan
strokes. The net play and back-han,
OF Miss Hoffman were fine. The drive
and speed of the champion We're fea
tunes, which, added to her placing Il
the last set, won the contest, tn
crowd was large and enthusiastic, ther
being but few points Of vantage tina
were not taken,
This afternoon the ladies double
will be played, Miss Dillingha'
and Miss Lennon viii meet Mi
Hort and Mrs, Gum, Play will bogi