New-York tribune., 1918-02-05
Norway Girl
Easy Victor
Over Favorite
Miss Marion Vanderhoef De
feated in Court Match at
Heights Casino
BY Fred Hawthorne

Molla BjurStedt, national woman cham
pion, to the world OF lawn tennis, pro-
duced another sensation of the courts
yesterday in Mrs. Johan Rogge, who de-
fcated Miss Marion Vanderhoef bv
OF the women's annual invitation tour
nament on the indoor courts of the
Heights Casino, in Brooklyn.
Miss Vanderhocf, runner-up to Miss
Biurstedt last June in the womens ma
tonal tourney, was expected to elimi-
rate the latest star from the North, but
this was because Mrs. Roege entered
the tournev practically unknown in this
country. as did Miss Bjurstedt. nearly
four wears ago.
Once she had begun to find the range
of the court, however, and had gained
full control of her strokes. the fair for
eiener showed that she will have to be
reckoned with in the future bv her
American rivals Quite bit above the
average in height and of slight build.
the power she nut into her. ground
stroaes She uneoXered nntad
Biurstedt. and her tackhand is also
notably excellent; Added to these as;
Of which is rarely shown by woman.
She tosses the ball high above her head,
much after the manner of Wylie c.
Grant, former national indoor cham
zion, and brings her racquet down we'll
ever it, with the result that the ball
takes long, low bound and must be
taken we'll back by the receiver.
Another for Norway
Those who watched Mrs. Rogge
gradually force Miss Vanderhoef down
TO defeat began to ask themselves, HAS
Norway produced another Molla Blur
stedt? But this is placing too strong
an emphasis on the strength of the
newcomers game as it is to-day. Miss
Bjurstedt four years ago flashed across
the horizon of American lawn tennis
as miracle, and miracles do not hap
zen with such frequency.
1t is safe to say, however. that If
Mrs. Rogge plays the same brand of
tennis on outdoor courts that she does
indoors she will make a decided i'm
preston in the ranks of our own women
players. Her advent just at this time
will lend much additional interest to
ment at the 7th Regiment armory, in
March.
The Norwegian came to this country
last September, but this is her first ap-
rearance in a tournament in the United
States, although for several weeks she
has been practising with Harry McNeal,
the Casino professional. 1t is said that
McNeal has worked wonders with her
game, and is largely responsible for the
excellence of her service.
There were other features that stood
cut in yesterdays play of the twenty
eight women stars drawn in the first
and second rounds. For one thing, Miss
Marie Wagner, national indoor cham
rion, who was drawn in the same half
with Miss Bjurstedt, had to default,
thus removing one of the greatest
obstacles in Miss Bjurstedt's path tow
ard the finals.
Mrs. Wood Victor
Mrs. Rawson L. Wood, former cham
Fullerton Weaver, former national in
door doubles champion, in the first
round by score of 6-3, 4-6, Go, in
what proved the most evenly contested
match of the day. Although both are
shy of practice, they worked into their
full swing after the opening set and
engaged in furious driving duels from
see weakness on Mrs. Weaver's deep
Eackhand in the last set, and by ham
merlng away at that point took the last
three games in row. Her opponent
showed a fatal tendency to drive short,
thus giving Mrs. Wood the opportunity
to come into fore-court and shoot the
hall back at sharp ang1es. When she
could reach the net position Mrs.
Weaver held command with her old
skill, but more often Mrs. Wood gained
her points by sending her drives skim
rning down the side lines. 1t was a
spirited match, with the players so
evenly balanced that the result was in
doubt until the last point had been
played.
Miss Biurstedt was opposed by Mrs.
+. c. Sohst in the opening round, and
won in straight sets at Go, 6-3, with
cut being extended. The national cham
pion has developed her backhand to
such an extreme point of efficiency that
row she prefers to take the ball on her
lett SIDE, shooting 1T back with an
astonishing amount of speed. Some of
these shots fairly buzzed through Mrs.
Sohsts court, and from the time the
fIrst point was played there never was
any doubt as to the final outcome.
Scores Only Six Points
Although in the first set she scored
only six points, two of which were
earned, and no games, Mrs. Sohst grad
raliy lost the nervousness that marred
her game in the beginning, and after
trailing at SO in the second set began
to hit the ball with more confidence
getting three games BY some beautiful
deep driving
Miss Barbara Hooker, making her
hrst appearance in this tournament.
showed excellent form in her execution
OF strokes, and although defeated by
Mrs. Percy Wilbourn. at CT, 6-.3,
made it plain that added tournament
experience will strengthen her game
tully SO DER cent.
Mrs. de Forest Candee. former Casino
champion, eliminated Mrs f. Eber-
fardt at 6--2, 6-2, and should give
Mrs. Theodore Cassebeer plenty of
trouble when they meet in the second
round at II o'clock this morning. Mrs
Candee hits the ball hard and volleys
With great severity at the net.
Mrs. Eleanor Goss, runner-up last
year for the national indoor title, de-
feated Mrs. M. B. Huff, at CO, 60
Tier splendid volleying and play over
lead were much in evidence, and she
looks a formidable candidate for the
final bracket in the lower half The
doubles will begin tomorrow.
The summaries follow:
CASINO INVITATION SINGLES
First round-Aiiss Molla BJurstedt defeated Mrs
y C. sohst. Go. 6-S Miss Julia Brown defeatec,
Miss Adele crasin: s-s; 6-,l. 90: Mrs. do
e: Miss Il: Harwood won from Miss Marie
Wagner by default; Mrs. d. C. Mills won from
MIS- b., Bessie ,,. Holder by defsu; Mrs Humphres
Goss detected Mrs NJ. Il. Hun. @. 90: Mrs
nswson /, Wood defeated MIS-. $. Fullerton