New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28
MISS BJURSTEDT
AND D. MATHEY
LOSE ON COURT
Miss Wagner and Harry
McNeal the VictOrS in
Mixed Doubles
By FRED HAWTHORNE

In a match that was distinguished
By frequent bursts Of brillisnec upon
the part of all four players, Miss Marie
Wagner, New York State women's
champion, and Harry McNesl. the pro-
fessional. defeated Miss Molla Blur
stedt, national woren's champion. and
Dean Mathey yesterday in the post
poned lawn tennis match on the court
of the Heights Casino, Brooklyn. Miss
Wagner and her partner won at 6-l,
81. Is. Ct. In an extra set. after
the regular match. Miss Bjurstedt and
Mathey won at 10.
The playing 90 McNeal was sensa-
tional. and although inclined 70 be a
bit wild at times overhead. the English
man was so adept az scoring on place.
ment shots and made such clever use
Of crafty change. of pace that he far
outshone Msthey, VINO was not 20
steady as usual.
Miss Wagner was splcndidly cfcc-
tive from almost every position in the
court. her long. sweeping backhand
shots to the corners Of deep court and
her severe overhead play being dis
tinctly better than anything Miss Blur
stedt showed, except in the extra set,
when the great Norwegian star found
herself and crashed forehand drives
of tremendous pace through the op"
posing court.
Mathey Bothers Partner
Mathey, in his anxiety 10 assist his
famous partner, often encroached upon
her territory as he spread-eagled
across forecourt in wild attempts 10
cut off McNeaPs shsrp-angled stop
volleys for the corners. The former
Princetonian probably covered more
territory than any Of the others, ana
while his work was uneven he brought
off many spectacular shots.
Yesterday marked the first time that
Miss Biurstedt had played match
since the close of the outdoor season
and this accounted for her failure TO
execute shots that are usually easy Tor
her. She was playing a majority OF
her ground strokes too low IN the hrs
four sets, the ball striking the net
band with distressing frequency, nor
did she "stroke" the sphere with her
accustomed severity.
In the final set. having worked up 10
full speed, the girl from the North
land gave splendid exhibition, both
on forehand and background strokes
off the ground, and her full volleyins
was mastery. Mathey, too, raised ms
game several notches. Miss .BJurstedt
and Mathey had never played togetner
before, but after yesterdsys ms,ch
they challenged Miss Wagner ana &c,
Neal to another contest and tne de.
was accepted, the date to be agreed
upon later.
tho Casino professional started quickly
and soon ran into an overwhelming
lead on games. McNeal was relentless
in the wav he hammered the ball into
the corners and rarely did he fail TO
score an ace when Mathey or his part
ner left even a feeting opening. MISS
Riurstedt and the eX-Princeton cap
tain were only able to get ono game IN
this set
Rallies Become Faster
The rallies became faster and more
prolonged in the second set, with Miss
Biurstedt and Miss Wagner engaging
i'm several backhanG driving duels
across deep court, while Mathey and
McNeal volleyed prettily from fore.
court. The games alternated to ball
and then the Norwegian girl and Ma
they took the next two games and the
second set az 10.
Miss Wagner's work from backcourt
in the third set was strong factor in
bringing victory to her side. and her
knifelike drives 70 the far corners were
splendidly placed. Neither Mathey nor
Miss Bjurstedt could handle these shots
effectively, and the gallery was loud IN
its applauding of the New YORK state
CHAMPIONS play. McNeal and his part
Al n
temporary halt was called before be-
ginning the fourth set.
"Shall we make il three out of tye?'
asked Miss Wagner. "0h, we must"
replied Miss Bjurstedt, and so they did,
without consulting the men,
The fourth set was fast and evenly
contested. with Mathey and his part
ner gradually gaining better control OF
their strokes. McNeal, however. BY
brilliant charges 10 the net. during
which he smothered Mathey's short
lobs and tricked the opposing pair out
of nosition by sudden softening Of his
stroke, pulled his side through by a
score Of 10. That ended the, match,
but Miss Bjurstedt still longcd for
more action, and so the extra set Sas
played.
Mathey and the national woman's
champion set a terrific pace in this
session, and the games alternsted TO
j-all before Miss Bjurstedt and her
partner could break through and take
Miss Wagner's service ne the odd game
The last game was won arter stir
ring battle. Miss Biurstedt playing
with remarkable brilliance and put
ting great power into her fore and
back hand strokes % deep court.