New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-22
Much Gossip Centres on
Sleepy Hollow, Harlem
and Pelham Journeys.
PATH SEEMS SMOOTH
FOR MISS BJURSTEDT
Alexander and Touchard Appear
TO Have the Best Chance at
Sleepy Hollow.
BY FRED HAWTHORNE.

reservation II Is when a rainy day
interferes with tournament. There
were a number Of such occasions yes
terday. when the heavy downpour
forced the men and women players in
the Sleepy Hollow Country Club, the
Harlem Tennis Club, the PelhamCoun-
TRY Club and the Tuxedo Club tourna-
ments to suspend operations.
In the case Of the Pelham Country
Club, where the women arc holding an
invitation affair, the rain simply post
poned the acquisition Of another title
by Miss Molla Notwithstanding TO
the general opinion among those who
have been watching the young Nor
wegiau's rapid progress TO the anal
bracket, which she gained on Wednos-
day.
Either Miss Charge Cassel or Mrs.
Marshall Mclean will meet Miss Blur
stedt for the CHIEF hon0rs at Pelham.
and past performances would seem 10
favor the latter player. Mrs. Mclean
has met the Norwegian girl twice,
being defeated each time. but u was
she who gave Miss Bjurstedt the hard
est matches she has had in this coun-
TRY, and her playing IN the Pelham
tournament would indicate that her
game is at least 20 per cent stronger
than when she and the foreigner last
met in the metropolitan championship.
II seems reasonably certain that Miss
Bjurstedt will be defeated sooner or
later, for il is rare, indeed, That any
player goes through a season un-
scathed By defeat. Mrs. Mclean may
be the one to accomplish the feat
Miss Cassel has yet TO meet the ma
tional indoor champion, and perhaps
her style Of play may be just the thing
ito put q stop to the Morse maiden's
unbroken string Of victories.
As the players of the Sleepy Hollow
tournament near the final round there
il much speculation as 90 who VIII win
the honors taken last year by Lindley
Murray. Frederick b. Alexander and
Gustave +. Iouchard have the most
supporters for the distinction, with
Teddy Pell and Watson NJ. NashDorn
close seconds. Alexander and WASH
burn are in the lower half OF the draw
and seem fated TO meet in tne neNs
round, although the former mas yet 70
dispose Of Frederick Z. lnman' WINE
Washburn must put King smith or
Louis Graves out of the running before
he gains the seminal round
peu and Touchard meet to-day for
the bracket in the TOT half Of the semi.
final round, and Robert lie Roy and
Dean Mathey fight it out 10 che other
bracket in the upper half lie Roy Is
always dangerous until tho last stroke
in a match has been made, and " would
he no great surprise If he were 70
emerge as one OF the fnalist5.
blanchard ia always hard player 20
figure on. The strength ot ms game
sways like pendulum. Io-Cay ne may
be st the top; tomorrow he may. be
struggling along with q player IN OiaSs
5 Of the ranking list. -,
While his performances IN MS
matches at Sleepy Hollow have been
very mediocre Up TO date, ne gives IN
dications Of greater things Ia tho I'M
mediate future, and perhapb he VIII
show at his best against Pell this after
noon.
While his game throughout the sea-
son last year was great dlsappolnt-
ment to his friends, Pell has evidently
started out now with tho firm intention
OF regaining his standing IN the org
ten" Of lawn tennis. He he hitting mo
ball with greater vim and assurances
than at almost any time last season.
and the players superior % BIN "heh
he ia at the top Of his game can Dc
counted or the fingers OF one hand'
A1oxorAar Cnu pWfnR a
racquet ne will always have his hackers
in a tournament. His mastery OF court
/ tactics his perfection OF stroke and MS
/ indomitable courage when the battle
/ wages fercest, still remain with him.
In two-out-of-three set match no
can still hold his own with the best,
/ but If compelled 20 travel az top speed
/ IN a three-out-of-0ve set struggle no
Is liable to lose the fine edge on ms
need and without spec! his game -
/ robbed % tho greater part Of us ell
fectiyeness.
With four men left in the singles on
/ Thursday. II looks as n Charles =;
/ Chambers and Vanderbilt 3. Ward
/ would be the finalists in the open tour
lament OF the Harlem Tennis Cup.
! chambers Is a player OF amazing stead.
mess and bulldog persisteney' end
! these came tactics have worn DOWN
many O faster man.
Ward. on the contrary, younger
man. abounds In speed and Is armed
with a battery Of severe strokes. Win
both men Of their best, Word should
be returned the victor.
But don't forget Benny Philips, who
must frst be vanqulshed by Ward.
The semi-hnsls In singles and dou-
bles will be played to-day, beginning az
2 o'clock.
The defeat 81 6. Howard Voshell. tho
playing-throuVh champion, IN the Bronx
/ County championship lawn tennis tour
nament. by J X Steinkampf, In tho
semi-fnal round on Wednesday. showed
that Voshell is far from himself. al
though all credit must be given "a
Steinkampi, who Ia playing like one
/ possessed this season. Many now figure
/ him 70 defea. Ward for the title TO-
/ morrow.