New-York tribune., 1918-03-31
Defeated Player, Paired With
Mrs. S. F. Weaver, Wins
Doubles Title
By Fred Hawthorne

DIOR title to her lntermlnable list OF
championships yesterday morning by
defeating Miss Eleanor Goss, at 3-6,
s1. ga, in the final round of the
women's annual indoor lawn tennis
championship tournament on the courts
of the 7th Regiment Armory.
Miss Bjurstedt's victory was prac-
tically conceded before the girls took
the court, but it remained for Miss
Goss to create the sensation of the
season by taking the first set from the
great Norwegian and cleanly outplay
ing the champion during that session.
The young New York girl was going
at such beautiful pace in the opening
set and hitting the ball so cleanly and
powerfully, both off the ground and
overhead, that many of the spectators
expected to see her dethrone the Won
derful girl from Norway. But Miss
Bjurstedt proved herself a champion
indeed at this stage, for when she found
defeat threatening she rose to the oc-
casion and began to reel off the Win
ming shots in a way that reminded
those who watched Of the manner in
which she rode roughshod over all op-
ponents in 1915 and 1916.
Wins Last Three Games in Row
In the final set Miss Goss again
lcomed up dangerously. leading at
4-3 on games, but then the great
champion speeded up her strokes and
cent scorching drives ripping through
her opponents court for dazzling
placement aces, winning the last three
A
the championship.
Mrs. Spencer Fullerton Weaver and
Miss Goss won the doubles title, de-
feating Mrs. Homer Stuart Green and
Miss Caroma Winn. at 6-3, 11-9, af-
ter desperate struggle. 1t was only
Mrs. Green's splendid uphill playing
against great odds that enabled her
and her partner to bring the last set
to deuce five times before bowling in
defeat
Miss Winn was erratic from begin
ming to end of the match and tossed
away many valuable points by Wild
bit in the last set, but it was too
late, and. Mrs. Green was not quite
equal to the task of holding off Mrs.
Weaver and Miss Goss,
The new champions are fascinating
combination to watch. both being net
players of the most daring, spectacular
type. Mrs. Weaver probably brought
off more winning shots during the
match, her "kills" overhead having a
finality that finished off the points
quickly and decisively.
Miss Goss, who had just finished
her match in the singles, did not dis
play quite the same speed and GER
tainty that distinguished her play
earlier in the day, but she made few
mistakes and was particularly diff
cult opponent to pass at the net be-
cause of her fine volleying.
Miss Goss began the service in the
singles match. but lost the game large
ly through errors on her groune
strokes, over-driving the base line ane
failing at other times to get enough
height on the ball to clear the net.
Thrills From Very Start
There were several hundred persons
in the gallery seats, and as Miss Blur
stedt won the opening game, ane
against her opponents service, every
body settled back comfortably, pre-
pared to see the champion take the
thrills began from that moment.
Miss Goss took the second game
breaking through Miss Bjurstedt's ser
vice to do so and astonishing the
spectators by the manner in which
she. accomplished the feat. Until yes
terday the New York girl had shown
a lamentable weakness on her grouno
strokes, relying almost entirely upor
her strong volleying to carry her te
victory But it was far different
story yesterday.
Miss Goss started driving off hel
forehand with a full sweep of the
tho hall SizZliDp lou
ever the net and deep into the corner:
of Miss Biurstedt's court. 1t was only
when she had made sure of her open
ngs and had The champion we'll bacl
toward the base line that she venturet
inside the service court line to finish
eff her points by sharp volleying OF
severe smashing.
There was 40 stopping Miss Goss a.
this stage and she continued to out
pay the champion, both from deer
court and at the ret. She was driv
ing so hard and accurately down the
side lines that Miss Bjurstedt daret
not try to charge for the barrier. Be
fore most people realized it Miss Cos.
had taken the set at 6-3, and appeared
full Of confidence.
Then began the second set and Mis-!
Bjurstedt's gradual rise to power, al
though only rarely did she approach
the real heights of her game. The SUI
came out and flooded the court, and i
seemed good omen for the Norwegian
girl. "The sun is shining again." sh'
remarked, and started in to "stroke
the ball and 10 score on dazzling place
nent shots TO the far corners. Mis-
Coss took the second game, on tn
champions service. but that was all
Miss Bjurstejt fairly racing through
the set TO win at G-1.
With the match even again Miss Cos
started service in the last set and VOL
her game. Thereafter the two girl
struggled along evenly up to 3-all
The younger player won the seventh
game and led at 4--3, but that wa
her lagt chance for victory, for Mis-
Bjuratedt began forcing attack tina
would not be denied.
She followed in to the net after ser
vice. volleying deftly and frequentl,
catching Miss Co.'s out Of position
10 that the latter was compelled t.
take the ball at her feet. Now, botl
gir!s were driving deeply and rushinl
the net W finish off the points, bu
Miss Bjurstedt was herself again an,
took the last three garnes, aided b.
series Of brillian. placement faces
Sqnarely IN the lines,
"osnen's national ipdoe~ ebampionsbip ssnr,
ns.aoi W. f'a.-a,ss gss. s vi. s5g,s defeated MI
. i,Hinsx tftsl roIDdJ-~8rs. Hpencer yuiiert1
wss'er and Miss Kixs,.er 1oss defeated VI
tbrsef ssssr Cysss and Hiss css1ms VIM
t-~z, ti--S.
cA~~I r.sa.~II. III