New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-18
Miss Wagner Gains Singles,
Keeps Doubles, Tennis Titles
Miss Coss Breaks Under
Strain, but Miss Howe Stars
in Doubles Play
By FRED HAWTHORNE


garet Taylor, won the doubles title.
playing brilliantly in both final round
matches Of the women's annual tourns-
meut.
In the singles Miss Wagner defeated
Miss Eleanor Goss in straight sets. 81
6-3. /. She and Miss Taylor then
vanquished Mrs. Jack Anderson and
Miss Edith Howe in the doubles, but
only after bitter battle for the PORTS,
the sets going at "a. "a.
Doubles Furnish Thrills
From spectacular standpoint, che
doubles was by far the better match,
the rallies being long and brilliantly
contested and the players so evenly
matched that the result could not be
foreseen definitely until the final rally
was over.
Az we predicted in these columns
yesterday. Miss Wsgner's long expe-
rionce. her consummste court general
ship and her knowledge of every little
trick and turn of the game. formed a
combination against which her untried
opponent could not hope 10 prevail.
When Miss Goss did succeed In gain
ing the position at the net that she
stroye for constantly. she fairly out
played the girl who has won the ma
tiona indoor title six times.
Miss Goss Flsshy at Times
With flashing volleying shots. sent
sharply across the court, and occa-
sionally severe smash Of a short lob,
the former Nassar champion drew APP
plause from the largest gallery OF the
week. At such times she looked in
vincible. and Miss Wagner, caught far
out e position near her base line, did
not even try to get her racquet on
some of the balls.
But the girl who was destined 20
wear the champions crown again did
not often permit her younger opponent
10 get into position TO bring off these
scintillating shots. More frequently
Miss Wagner, driving deep and ".trok-
ing" the ball with a beautiful sweep
OF her racquet, placed her returns A.
the corner formed by the base and
side lines Miss Goss. starting for the
net a little slowly. would be bafiled 70
find the ball shooting By, just out OF
reach.
The ease with which Miss Wagner
a
the Younger girl. and with discourage
ment came increasing nervousness.
until Miss Goss lost control Of her
favorite volleying shots and was swept
down to defeat rapidly in the second
set.
Runner-Up Begins Well
Miss Wagner began the service and
won the opening game, and thereafter
the players alternated in winning up TO
Sail Miss Goss's service was going
particularly we'll in the early stages,
and in the three games she won in the
first set she allowed Miss Wagner only
three points. taking the fourth session
at love.
The New York State champion had
not yet risen 20 her full power. but in
the last three games Of the opening set
her forehand drives began to nick the
side lines with what must have been
discouraging persistence 20 Miss Goss.
The latter's downfall was made more
certain By a fatal tendency to hesitate
FOR the fraction Of a moment before
starting for the net. As a result, she
was caught out Of position, with Miss
Naener's swift returns landing At her
feet. The New York State champion
won the last three games, and the first
set was hers. al 6-3.
Miss Goss started service in the sec
ond set and won her game at love, Miss
Wagner being unable to handle the ball
with any success. II looked as though
the novice was about 10 start a win
ming rally, but those who hoped so
we're soon disillusioned. Miss Wagner
swept along with impressive speed,
passing her opponent time and again
fore and backhand drives that found
the lines with splendid accuracy and
won the championship by taking the
last six games in a row.
Miss Co.'S was beaten. but far from
disgraced. Her defeat was inevitable
and only what she must have sntici-
pated under the existing conditions
Her game discloses glazing weaknesses
AZ present, but none that may not be
easily remedied with the passage OF
time
Miss Howe Star of Doubles
To Miss Howe fell the major share
OF the honors in the doubles, for the
reason that Miss Wagner and Miss
Taylor directed the main battery OF
their attack at her and thus gave her
the opportunity 10 shine with surpris-
ing brightness. Mrs. Anderson at times
eXcelled any other of the four players
on the court. Her close yolleying was
little short of remarkable, and the gal
lery Numbered It's applause in sppre-
citation of the manner in which she
fenced with the pair on the opposite
close and volley hard drives success
fully, who can make use Of sudden
change Of pace in the swiftest rallies,
are few and far between, but Mrs. An
derson is one Of these
But suddenly switching the attack
from Miss Howe 20 her partner Miss
Wagner and Miss Taylor often caught
rrs. Anderson cold" with the result
that the latter made more errors than
is usual with her. But Miss Howe ably
upheld her share Of tho burden Her
backhand was wonderfully successful
ard her handling Of Miss Taylor's deep
Jobs was mastery.
The winners, OF course, played thar
brand OF lawn tennis that brings vic
tory. Their team work, except for one
or TWO lapses, was smooth, and they
were not often caught out % position.
Miss Taylor held command at the net
and many Of her points were won By
cleverly placed full volley shots into
the side courts and close TO the net
She was deadly on killing lob'.
Miss Wagner Upheld Reputation
Miss Wagner played her usual
doubles game, which is sufficient =
win in almost any company. She COZ
cred the back Of TIE court with unerr'
ing judgment and was always tho
steadying factor on her side Of the net;
The score, O., "a. with several
games fought out at deuce. shows now
evenly the pairs were matched.
Black Chess Victor