New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-13

AT first Ill at ease and plainly ner-
vous at the thought of the greatest
test she had been called upon TO make
since coming to this country, Miss
/ Bjurstedt was extremely erratic. She
seemed unable to control the scorching
drives wherein lies her greatest
strength, and her judgment of distance
and angles was far from good
Toward the end Of the opening ses-
sion, however, the Norwegian star re-
gained some OF her confidence. She
lad been carefully trying out her OPP
ponents strength in all departments
of the game. Having laid bare Mrs.
Wightman's weaknesses, she started in
with an attack that knew no stopping
until the highest honor open to women
lawn tennis players in this country was
in her possession.
Mrs. Wightman attained some meas
ure of revenge an hour later. when she
and Harry C. Johnson, of Boston, de-
feated Miss Bjurstedt and Irving c.
Wright in a runaway match for the
mixed doubles title. The score was
60, 6-l. Mrs. Wightman and her
partner completely outplayed their OPP
ponents. taking the title in record
time. The title in the mems singles
tournament was won by W. 7. Tilden,
jr., who defeated Craig Bddle in the
final round after a sizzling match.
This city has been favored with
beautiful weather all through the tour
nament week, but to-day was especially
favored by kind Providence, the after
noon coming clear and warm, with
just sufficient breeze from the west TO
temper the heat Of the sun. 47sz
Special stands had been constructed
about the stretch Of turf in 'front.' of
the mems clubhouse, with wind shields
at either end, and George Wocleye the
groundkeeper, had nursed the playing
surface with tender care, so that IL Was
! hard and firm and as fast as lawn
tennis champion could desire. ~.
Riot Of Colors in Stands.
! Hours before the match began "a
stream of spectators started 10 swarm
/ through the entrance gates and across
| the broad lawns 10 the arena wherein
the two women were 10 pit their skill
and strength against each other.
When the stands began to I'LL up the
scene was brilliant one. Soiidiy
I banked on three sides of the court.
rising row on row, the onlookers. with
women in the majority, five to one.
gave the appearance of a giant flower
garden in full bloom. Red, green.
: orange, purple, blue and gold we're the
! hues of feminine hats, parasols and
J sweaters, and as the parasols moved
restlessly to shut off the suns rays
| they were like flowers Of many eolors
swayed by the wind.
! On the roof of the clubhouse q man
! mar ipulated a motion picture machine,
catching every posture of the players
and every critical volley as the two
women struggled for the mastery
storm of applause broke as the
players made their appearance on the
court Albert l.. Hoskins, vice-presi-
dent OF the national association, con-
/ ferred earnestly with Miss Bjurstedt,
while she explained with many gest-
ures that she would prefer that the
waiting time between the second and
third sets, il there were TO be three,
should be kept down strictly TO the
seven minutes prescribed.
When all was ready John H. Whit
taker, of the Philadelphia Cricket Club,
climbed into the umpire's chair, with
Mr.. Hoskins alongside him. Linesmen
were assigned their positions, and Mrs.
w lKnlndn LOSbtu UcE idC4htb Wv OF
for choice OF service or court. She
won, and elected to begin the match
with the strong sun at her back. giving
Miss Bjurstedt the service.
The crowd leaned forward In the
seats anxiously, curious TO see Just
how this girl from other lands would
fare against their champion. IL marked
the frat time in the twenty-nine years
| of the holding of the tournament that
a foreigner had played for the title.
Here were two women, one from CALI
fornis, the land Of perpetual sunshine
and flowers; the other from the frozen
wastes of the North.
There was a general feeling Of con-
fdence that Mrs. Wightman would
prove her superiority in no uncertain
manner, and that her court general
ship, with her aggressive, bold attack
AT the net, would effectuslly curb the
splendid driving game OF Miss Blur
stedt and keep the title in this country.
Cup as an Incentive.
Directly beside the court was the
great silver Wissahicken cup, put into
competition for the first time this year
and emblematic of the championship.
i A great bouquet Of red, white and yell
4 low roses filled the cup and dropped
/ over the edge OF the bowl.
! Miss Bjurstedt's first ball was fault.
The second was returned with lightning
speed TO the Norwegian's feet. and she
drove her own into the net. Mrs.
/ Wightman earned the next point on a
beautiful placement from close TO the
net, GLIDING her opponent by two feet.
A net and an out by the foreigner gave
the opening game 10 the American
woman at love.
The crowd sat back with q sigh OF
relief, certain now that Mrs. Wightmsn
was going to be the victor, cutting
short the unbroken string of victories
enioyed by Miss Bjurstedt.
The second game was fought out 70
deuce before the American won, and
then the Norwegian girl took her hrst
game, aided by two beautiful drives
down the side lines and Mrs. Wight