New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-23

'UpLively Fight
On TennisCourt
Miss Bjurstedt Forced to
Limit to Beat Florida
Champion
BY FRED HAWTHORNE

Although defeated, Mrs. Rawson
Wood. former champion of Florida,
caused thrill yesterday afternoon in
the annual women's lnvitation lawn
tennis tournament OF the Pelham Coun-
Try Club, at Pelham Manor, playing
against Miss Molla Bjurstedt, national
champion, IN the round before the
semi-fnal. Mrs. Wood held her famous
opponent 50 nearly even that IT was no.
until the sets had gone to 81, Ga,
that the maia from the North was able
totmake certain her victory.
Miss Helene Pollah, the young girl who
created sensation in the metropolitan
tournament at Forest Hills last week
by her clever play, performed bril-
hantly yesterday, reaching into the
semi-final round without the loss of =
set. In the first match she vanquished
Miss Edith Handy. former champion OF
Staten Island. at q. 6-3, and then
she sailed forth to defeat Mrs Benjs-
min +. Briggs, at "a, 6-4.
Miss vanderhoef Scores
Another to come through to the semi.
hoef, of the West Side Tennis Club.
In the second round she eliminated
Mrs. David c. Mills, at 6-3. 80, and
Mrs. Robert lie Roy was the next To
fall before her spirited driving attack
by score of 90. 6-3.
Miss Helen Bernhard and Miss Helen
Gilleadeau, former Barnard College
champion, reached into the round be-
fo mil
morning to decide who shall occupy
the vacant bracket in the lower half.
Miss Gilleadeau outgeneralled Miss
Margaret Taylor. doubles champion OF
Florida with Mrs. Wood, and won i,
straight sets, at 90. 90, her victory
coming as a surprise to the gallery.
Miss Taylor still lacks practice. and
made more errors than is customary
with her, whereas Miss Gilleadeau was
remarkably steady and picked out her
openings quickly.
Miss Bjurstedt proved in her first
round match with Miss Ethel Tyndals
that she was near the top Of her game,
winning at 6-3. 60, and il was ex-
pected that she would score decisively
over Mrs. Wood in the next round. The
latter had begun the day by defeating
Aided by Slow Courts
The courts were slow because of the
showers, and this probably helped Mrs.
Wood, who plays the ball low on her
ground strokes and volleys prcttily to
the corners for her points. Every game
was hard fought, both women showing
a preference for the back of the court
most of the time. Mrs. Wood sent her
forehand drives far into deep court,
compelling the national champion to do
lot of footing. In the ninth game OF
the first set Mrs. Wood needed only
point to send the games to deuce, but
she was not quite able 10 send home
the finishing point.
The second set was just as closely
contested. and many stirring rallies
from mid-court thrilled the gallery.
The summaries follow:
PELHAM COUNTRY CLUB wOMEN's PArRI-
OTTO INVITATION SINGLES
First rolnd-Mlss Ethel TSndale defeated Mis-
Caroma Vim. IS, GO: Miss Molla BIursteft
won from Mrs. L. c.. Morris. by default; Miss
Helen Gfeadeau from Miss Eleanor toss by
Frank Bishop. 81. 81. 81; Miss Msrsaet
Noes won from Mrs William Issher. by defiant
second ToundIMss Marion yands,hoef met. Ssss'lsa
ROY won from Miss Marie Wagner, by default;
Mt Rawson Wood defeated Miss Jacqueline Gr,cn.
g. 90 Miss Mis- eHsids. 'S astss,sd Miss Ta
ga So: Miss Helen Bernhard defeated Mas
Noes "a. Ga; Miss Helene Pollsk defeated
Miss Edith r. Handy. 60. s-3; Ms. BENJAMIN
y Briggs defeated Miss Bessie Holden. 50. t-s.
Third round-,ns, vandsrhO-f defeated Mr; IL
Wood Ga. st: Miss Pollak defeated Mrs.
Briggs GO. 60