The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-31
BIG TENNIS CHANGE r O
WILDING'S LOSS IN WAR
No Davis Cup Matches This Year, and Not Likely in
1916, but American Chances Will Be Much
Better in the Next Contests.

after it, nrst adoption % a. to avoid
the doubling up Of the most important
tournaments.
This gav the women players four
successive weeks Of the best kind Of
tournament competition. with the Me-
ropolitan championship at Forest Hills
followed by the Pelham. MorristUwn and
Hartsdale tournaments In close success
sion. This week some OF the players
will enter for the Pennsylvania State
championship. which always precedes
the national tournament, while others
are playing at Hartsdaie.
One figure has doomed up big from
the start In tho women's competitions,
and Miss Molla Bjurstedt, the N~orgegian
champion. seems almost in a class by
herself. One after another of the meet
ings proved almost a walkover for the
clever little stranger and only one or
two Of her rivals rave been able to
win a set from her. Miss Bjurstedt
has a most businesslike way about her
on the court. She has had plenty OF
experience and her confidence Is ap-
parent at all times. She seems untiring
too and her endurance has beer shown
a number OF times to be excellent. Her
due to an accident. not to her being
outplayed.
In short II Ia difhcult TO nnd any
weak spot in her game. and Il Is many
a day since another woman player has
been seen OF whom this could BE- said
perhaps o since Miss May Sutton
startled the tennis world by winning
the all England championship q VIM
bledon. Miss Bjurstedt's service and
overland volleying are 10 severe, but
both are safe, while her ground strokes
nm hath thA Er. -
side are we'll executed, low. fast and
well directed. Best OF all they are
made in good form. with a full swing
and well timed follow through and a
slight top spin at the end that gives
the ball splendid power and direction
and, the player good control over II.
The Norwegian shows plainly the
marks OF English coaching. and II not
directly from the English players she
has absorbed In some may much OF
the technique OF their game. The ball
goes away from her racket true and
fast. but without the exaggerated top
spin shown by some American players.
The turn OF the wrist at the end Of
the stroke twists the ball and keeps IL
In control without tho risk Of error
shown by the glancing blow OF the
usual American drop stroke.
Several times In the Pelham tourna-
ment / watched her opponents try TO
break up her driving game by using
an undercut twist ball against her. but
without success. This style OF stroke
is perhaps the hardest ball to drive
hard because its backspin makes the
ball hang lifeless In the air when Il
bounds and the lack OF impact renders
the return stroke less certain than a
fast incoming ball.
Miss Bjurstedt went to these balls
fearlessly and hit them hard. which IL
the secret OF success n handling such
returns. Some players try to ease IN
their strokes when opposed by an under
cut and pat the ball back. but this
fatal error soon destroys all speed and
often direction with II.
The Norwegian looms up by far the
strongest candidate for the champion
ship title this year. and IL Miss Mary
Browne OF California m East to
defend her title the challenge match
always providing the visitor succeeds
In winning the right to challenger ought
To he well worth going 10 philadelphia
TO see.