New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-18
Defeats Miss Wagner
in Final Match at
Heights Casino
BY FRED HAWTHORNE

BY FRED HAWTHORNE
Still the undisputed queen Of the
courts" Miss Molla Bjurstedt, holder
Of every court title Of importance IN
this country. won the final round OF
the annual Heights Casino indoor lawn
tennis tournament for women yester-
day. crushing Miss Marie Wagner New
York State title holder, by score OF
G--1, 6-l.
Miss Wagner. ably seconded by Miss
Margaret Taylor, got partial revenge
in the final round Of the doubles by de-
feating Miss Bjurstedt and Miss Adele
Bull at g, g.
Every seat around the court was oc-
cupied during the playing Of the two
matches. and IL was the prevailing
oninion of those who saw the great
Norwegian sweep TO victory IN the
singles match that never before had the
Star OF the North played more I'M
pressively.
Brilliant Play by Loser
Be IL understood that Miss Wagner
ulayed a game that would have de-
feated probably any other woman
plaver in the East yesterday ne
placement shots were beautifully
Tanned and executed her deep drives,
both of fore and back hand, carried
world of sting, and her service, always
severe. was under exceptional control
But against the truly remarkable
plaving of Miss Bjurstedt the former
Rational indoor champion was power
less The harder she hit the ball the
harder it came back at her In INC
middle of the speediest OF deep driving
rallies Miss Wagner would be dlscon-
certed TO see the champion suddenly
end matters by charging for the me-
and finishing the point with perfectly
played full volley shots at sharp
angles across the court.
II was enough to discourage anybody
and inst before the end of the first set
Miss Wagner laughngly remarked,
after one OF these lightning exchanges
AWbat's the use? She shouldn't be al
lowed To play i'm women's tournaments
There is much of truth in what Miss
Wagner said. Miss Bjurstedt apparent
" outclasses any other woman player
in the country. with the exception OF
Nav sutton Bundy and Miss Mary
Browne. Of California.
Miss Wagner Starts We'll
Miss Wagner began the service and
took the opening game and her last IN
fbe set. placing her drives far down the
hack of the court and only inches from
Tire side lines. She was "stroklng' IN"
hall with "a beautiful swing, and twice
nassed her famous opponent IS tie
champion sought the net. II looked
den as though the New York girl was
going 10 make a close fight for the
honorS.
But Miss Bjurstedt had not yet un-
ieashed her batteries. She began 10
nut more pace into her shots with the
Start OF the second game, ripping ter
rife drives through Miss Wagners
court and often coming into torecourl
20 finish of the points with dazzling
cross-court voileys.
mo second and third Games went to
deuce. with the national champion TAX
irg both Rs this time the Norwegian
Wa going at full speed. and she won
the first set By taking the last SIX
games in a row.
Miss Wagner started the second set
filled with determination TO battle to
the end. and the opening game was
wonderfully fought out. Eight times
the points went 10 deuce before MISS
Biurstedt won on her own service. Inc
play in this game was almost enurely
in back court, with both girls eNchif'g-
inc deep drives. Several times, When
either needed a point 10 win, the pan
was driven out Of court or INTO the
net. 80,
Still irving TO stem the tide, Miss
Wagner won the second game on her
service. by the aid of splendid place
ment shots down the side lines. IL
seemed as though she had a chance
vet but this belief was soon dIspelled
by the way in which the champion
started a whirlwind sweep on her side
of the net.
Leaps for Net
Miss Biurstedt was not content TO
stsv in back court and win IN the
driving rallies, as she would have done
in any event Instead she leaped Tor
the net and played Miss Wagner OF
her feet with a series of full volleys
across the forecourt, and brilliantly
executed block volleys that dropped
lust over the net. Nothing Miss Wag-
ner could do was sufficient 70 halt the
Champions rush. and the Norwegian
lost only FIVE points In the last hve
games. .....
uas mite reversed. Miss Biurstedt
is not by several degrees the player in
the four-handed game that she is IN
singles, while Miss Wagner has few
superiors at that style of play. Added
TO this, Miss Adele Bull, the cham
pion's partner. was not up to the stand
ard set By the others, through lack Of
experience, and was not able to back
up the Norwegian in the fast rallies;
Miss Taylor, on the other hand, dld
fully as much 70 earn the victory as
Miss Wagner, being particularly strong
- The net. Her game overhead was
brilliant. and it was almost impossible
70 catch her out Of position. She and
Miss Wagner were always on the ag-
pressive and continually forcing the
play.
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