New-York tribune., 1917-07-30
Miss Browne
Most Brilliant
On the Courts
California Girl, Paired With
Murray, Beats Bjurstedt
and Church
By FRED HAWTHORNE

MISS mary DEoWne, Lhe sIeHoeE SlIA
from California and three times holder
Of the national woman's title, was the
sensation of the day on the turf courts
Of the Field Club, of Greenwich, Conn,
yesterday afternoon. Playing in the
Red Cross ambulance fund lawn tennis
matches, she paired with Robert Lind
ley Murray in the mixed doubles and
defeated Miss Molla Bjurstedt, present
national woman champion, and George
Myers Church by score Of 14-l2,
6-3.
1t wa. Miss Brownies brilliancy from
every position in the court that decided
the issue. Il is no exaggeration 10 say
that the girl from the Coast outplayed
Murray, Church and Miss Bjurstedt.
Not only did she cover her own share
Of the court, but upon several occa-
sions, when the plunging Murray was
caught out Of position, Miss Browne
came TO the rescue by speed of foot
that was absolutely remarkable. And
she always knew what to do, no matter
how fast the ball was coming or how
critical the situation.
Faultless Overhead
Overhead the former champion wa.
almost faultless in her deadly execu-
tlon. She has the art Of killing" lobs
down TO a science, and the way in which
she crashed the ball back into the op-
posing court, generally with a wicked
slash across into the alleys, amazed the
large gallery.
Karl Behr, former Davis Cup star, sit
ting near the court, after watching
MISS Browne dominating the match,
yolleying, driving, smashing with won
derful skill, remarked: at is the most
wonderful tennis ever PLAYED by any
woman in the world" And he did not
seem to be alone in his opinion.
Miss BJurstedt after the match ex-
claimed: Wasn't she simply wonder
The other matches of the afternoon
were overshadowed by the mixed
doubles, even though William VI. John
ston, national champion of 1915. de.
ieated Harold A. Throckmorton, ma
tiona+ interscholastic title holder, by
score OF "a, 6-3, and in the mems
doubles Johnston and Church van
guIsned Murray and Karl Behr, at
"a, IS.
Johnston Improving
Johnston gives evidence with .scb
succeeding match that he will soon h.
at the top Of his game. Against the
speedy Throckmorton Yesterday he was
travelling at rare speed and held full
command OF his terrific forehand drive
ripping the ball through the opposing
court with such tremendous pace that
Ihrockmorton often foundered wildly
ana nenectually as he attempted 10
make returns.
One OF Johnston's most effective
shotS and one that almost invariably
caught Ihrockmorton far out of no.
sition was sizzling forehand drive
across court of service. His overhead
Vol!eys from point inside the service
court were also practically sure point
winners. Altogether the former cham.
plon played with a confidence and de-
cisiveness Of stroke that recalled his
great work in 1915.
More than 900 persons were erouped
about the court when the mixed double,
match began. Murray started the ser
vice and both sides went along winning
on their own delivery. game after game
until the twenty-third, when Miss Biur.
stedt and Church broke through. TO
lead at l2-l1. But it marked their
final effort, for Miss Browne and Muir
ray took the next three games and the
hrst set at 14-12.
The last game went TO deuce five
times, with the rallies OF a sensational
nature, before Miss Browne sent home
the winning shot by shooting the ball
past the tall Church for clean place
ment ace down the alley.
Woe TO Church and Miss Biurstedt
when they were short with their lobs.
lt was not Murray, terrific smasher
though he is, who usually finished of
the points on these occasions. Miss
Browne closed in at the net with start
ling speed and crashed the ball back
with remarkable power and certainty
Of placement. She also earned many
points in 'cross-court driving duels with
with Miss Bjurstedt and more than
once saved the point for her side by
spectacular gets
When leading at 1872 on games, ad-
vantage out and Church serving, the
net slipped down just after Miss
Browne had ripped over low drive for
a placement. as that the way | got
it over" she asked Murray. while the
gallery laughed.
The second set was far easier for
Miss Browne and her partner: Miss
Biurstedt and Church were lacking in
team work and frequently clashed on
the court in going after balls, whereas
the two Californians fitted in very
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