New-York tribune., 1918-06-23
Miss Bjurstedt
Gains Tennis
Crown Again
Morse Girl Wins National
Title Third Time, Defeat
ing Miss Goss \
BY Fred Hawthorne

BY Fred Hawthorne
ST. MARTINS. Penn, June 22-For
the third time in her wonderful career
on American courts was Miss Molla
Bjurstedt hailed as the national lawn
tennis champion this afternoon, when
she defeated Miss E.eanor Goss, of the
West Sioe Tennis Club, of Forest
Kills, l.. l., by score Of Ga, 6-3 in
the challenge round of the women's
national tourney, held on the historic
turf courts of the Philadelphia Cricket
Club. o'-0'
The great champions victory had
been generally conceded before the
girls took the court. but that she
should win in straight sets came in the
nature of surprise to some of those
VINO mad seen Miss Goss's splendid ad-
vance through the women's all-comers
tournament to the decisive test.
For time in the first set, when Miss
Goss struck her stride and reeled off
three games in row, the match
promised to become real duel for the
mastery, but this WAS only flash, for
MISS bJurstedt soon regained control
OF the situation, and always thereafter
Melo command: In the second set, too,
she young challenger made q game bid
for the honors, but the CHAMPION was
quick to scent the danger and speeded
up ner own game sufficiently to put
s'op 70 her opponents title aspirations.
Real Competition Lacking
Judged by the standard of some pre.
vious matches for the women's ma
tlonal championship, the meeting be-
tMeen I'VE; MISS Goss and Miss Bjurstedt
th1s afternoon was not the means of
producing as high a quality of lawn
tennis as might have been expected
under the circumstances. There were
severai reasons for this. The wonder
iul girl from Norway has trodden
sue such r an easy path to victory here in
VI; une Gas1 1or the last four years that
winning with her has become habit
and all her opponents seem to feel that
resistance against the champion IS
hopeless. e''' 40
as consequence Miss Bjurstedt
plays her greatest tennis on,v >ytnn
She fees that she is facing really
dangerous opponent. Otherwise she is
content TO go along with just sufficient
speed and hard hitting to insure VIC
',ory' such Is the inevitable result of
girl. AoA 'ne nurse
Again, Miss Goss has not vet arrived
at that point where she is able to main
tam her game at its greatest HEIGHTS
Tor sustained periods. s''''
There were times in the match to-
day, as we have stated, when she rose
70 70 great eminence on the court. and
snen !ne spectators saw a splendid
Jr;'lI I.;u gg.e Ior the points. But after
and forcing her opponent to keep. peou ou
the run as the ball came whinninr
through her court, Miss Goss relapsed
INTO 1 erratic playing and began to send
her drives far back of the base line
Often Flashed Brilliantly
When she thought that the situation
called for drastic measures Miss Blur.
stedt came through with the old. i'm
pressive display of speed Of foot
strength of hitting and peerless nlac;no
that has placed her name among ths
lmmortals of lawn tennis. It is only
when Marvellous Molla" has her baci
TO the wall that she flashes most br;lI.
iantly. -''"'' Ds'i1-
AS matter Of fact, the most thrill
ing tennis was produced in the final
George W. Wightman, the former % Ms ;.
nazel n Hotchkiss, and Irving Wright. Of
noston, won the championship by de-
3eating Miss Bjurstedt and Frederick
B. Alexander, Of New York. at 6No
Cd. oS Vs.
e Mrs. Wlghtman was the outstanding
ngure mere Always regarded as one Of
tne greatest women doubles PLAYERS
VINO ever trod a court, she gave the
galiery representation of what she
could 90 IN this match. 1t was her de-
clslve smashing of deep lobs, her brill.
amazing skill as a tactician of M tha
courts that made the spectators an
plaud continuously. P
wright, master of one of the most
npa1n'ng chop strokes in the game.
packed his famous partner IN snJan'
didly. and the tricky bounds Of the hall
after 1t LETT his racquet were a source
OF constant worriment to Miss Rinr.
steot and the Davis Cup veteran on the
other side of the net ' '''
Alexander Hurt Ankle
Al alexander sustained a badly sprained
ankle yesterday, and was not able to
inject his dazzling low volleyinp into
the fast rallies at the net with the
customary deadly effect, while Miss
b)urstedt rose to great heights several
slmes by crashing terrific fore and
she met the challenges Of Mrs. W;oht'
man and her partner. But neither she
nor Alexander displayed the smooth
ness OF teamwork that graced the Ros-
ton combinations work. and there was
no doubt but what the better team won
to-day. ~A" won
Followers of lawn tennis In phi]a.
delphia were worried this morninc
when they took look at the skies. fos
rain fell at frequent intervals. and
there was no sign OF the sun a few
minutes before the challenge round
mattel. in the singles began. just af-
ter. champion and challenger started
their match. however. the clouds were
carried off by a brisk wind from the
west. and the players finished in a
On table near the court reposed