New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-14

of more than 500 games in something
like twenty-four matches, fought out In
ffty-hvc sets.
II was one Of the most gruelling
tests in the history Of the game, and
the more remarkable because accom-
plished by women. There is no record
in lawn tennis annals that approaches
the two months continuous campaign
made by the national champion and the
former title holder, and. now that II is
over, the question Of superiority be-
tween the two is still matter Of
doubt.
Miss Browne in Lead
We have not the exact figures at
hand. but fairly accurate estimate
indicates that Miss Browne won total
of thirteen matches to ten, with one
match halved; that she took 266 games
and lost 252. and that her total OF sets
won amounted to thirty-two, as against
Miss Bjurstedt's twenty-three.
The cold figures prove that Our
Mary" had a slight advantage, but this
must not be taken as proof conclusive
that Miss Browne is q greater player
than Miss Bjurstcdt. There are many
conflicting circumstances to be taken
into account when summing up the
relative ranking of the two queens OF
the court. The champion; soon after
the national singles tournament at the
West Side Tennis Club, Of Forest HIS
Long Island. at the end Of August, ex-
per.enced a protracted spell OF illness,
during which Iiss Browne won five out
Of six matches between Montclair, n. j.,
and Phiiadrlohia.
Recovering from her lapse Of FORM
Miss Bju-stedt won the last three
matches. and was apparently on the
path 20 further victories. when MISS
Browne was compelled to return to her
home. in California, because Of the sud
den illness Of her father. The change
in fine great Norwegian's fortunes was
nurely PSYCHOLOGICAL. She IS q player
Who ia largely governed by her temper
oment. and the most triA!ng incident -
sufficient 20 raise her game TO unoeat-
al . heirhts or lower II 20 plane de-
cideGlv below It's customary level. .,
An Illustration OF this was afforded
lust before the match on the courts o.
The Germantown Cricket Club in PhlIa,
Gelnhia during the second week OF
Miss Browne had won the
nrevious five matches by decisive
scores and apparently had definitely
established her superiority over me
Norwegian.
On the morning Of the day she was
- facc the girl from the coast on me
Germantown courts, Miss Bjurstedt
received a telegram from friend VINO
had seen her play IN majority OF ner
matches and who believed That the ia
tional champion could defeat MISS
arowne when both were playing their
best game.
Norwegian Inspired
Tho sender Of the telegram had
scarcely more than a bowling acqualnt-
once with the girl from Norway, out
Miss Bjurstedt had q certain confidence
in his Judgment, and when she read
the TELEGRAM. which was 20 the ehect
that she could beat Miss Browne and
urged her 10 do it that afternoon, she
went ont on the court full or deter
n,ina.ion and wen the match by score
Of 81. 90. astonishing the gallery
bv the br.lliance Of her play and the
tremendous pace" and speed OF her
hitting. Two days later, at Cincinnati
she triumphed over Miss Browne again
and wound up her campaign at Detroit
fortv-eight hours later by again mum
bling the girl from the Golden west;
TIE last two matches were most bit
tArlv fought and the quality OF lawn
tennis displayed probably surpassed
tba. shown in any OF their previous
meetings. This was an instance OF
where trihing incident had raiaed
Miss Biurstedts game to the unoea'-
able heights that distinguished II our
inc her first two years in this country:
Comparing the conflicting styles o,
these remarkable players, however ana
leaving the personal equation entlrely
ont Of the reckoning, Il seems TO us
that Miss Brownies game IS decldsu'y
superior 10 the champions. she mas a
command Of stroke and an understand
irg of court tactics quite distinctly
better than anything that MISS bur
stedt possesses.
The former titleholder is one OF the
cleyerest court generals, man or
woman. on the courts to-day. She un-
derstands perfectly how to work an
onnonent out Of position; how TO MAKE
the most effective use of battling change
Of mace. and she is most dangerous
when the odds against her are greatest
While her ground strokes are OF the
soundest, Miss Browne IL undoubtedly
the greatest woman player, overhead
and on the full volley, who ever trod a
court II is in these departments that
sbe fairly dazzled those who watched
ber play IN the East this season. When
vou add TO these accomplishments an
actually uncanny ability at getting
from any position in the court, ~ y
accurate estimate of Miss Bro"ne's
game may be had.
Has No Weakness
Summing it up, the girl who held Che
national title in 1912, 1913 and 1914
has not q single weakness in any &C.
partment. while possessing many at
tributes never shown by any other
PLAYER Of her sex in the history OF the
game.
All the more remarkable. then, is
Miss Biurstedt's accomplishment in
holding Miss Browne so near y even IN
their long series Of matches. The
champions game is not nearly 80 well
rounded as the American girls. and she
is almost entirely lacking in the abil-
ity to play an overhead stroke.
But 70 Offset these weaknesses. Miss
Diurstedt ia roted for the terrific
power ana speed of her forehand drive
and 4 backhand stroke that is probably
not equalled by any other woman
player in the game. The great Nor
wecian can also place her shots with