New-York tribune., 1919-02-16
Miss Bjurstedt
At Her Zenith
On the Court
Woman Champion With +.
B. Alexander Defeats Miss
COss and Nc Neal
BY Fred Hawthorne


Lawn tennis followers who went to
the Heights Casino of Brooklyn yes
terday afternoon to see the special
exhibition mixed doubles match be-
tween Miss Molla Bjurstedt and Fred
erick B. Alexander and Miss Eleanor
Ross and Harry McNeal, the Casino
professional, were rewarded bv the
fastest tennis seen indoors this sea-
son, and that is high praise, indeed.
when we recall some Of the matches
played on covered courts recently
MISS BJurstcdt and Alexander won
IN three straight sets, by score Of
%, o. %, overcoming great odds
IN poth the first and second sets.
""eh thclr opponents led them at
81 o. on games. A fiery net attack
that rarely weakened, and the mar
vellous covering of deep court bv Miss
bJurstedt We're the deciding factors
IN the victory of the national woman
champion and the famous intcrna-
tionalist ''f'
There We're times when McNeal
dominated the court by his snectac-
ular playing, the Casino pro vollev-
ing with wonderful skill and smash
ing with terrific speed as he went in
lor the net position to take the ball
on the fly. Always a master of the
naif-volley, McNeal thrilled the spec
tators yesterday by some of his shots
of this character
Always taking many chances in his
eforts to turn the tide, the profes-
slonal made more errors than wou1d =.
more cautious player. yet his winning
Shots were so many, that it was ONLY
ooy the most desperate playing that
MISS BJurstedt and Alexander pulled
into the lead
Miss Bjurstcdt, as we have said. was
marvel of speed and skill in this
match; McNeal and Miss Goss never
ieft their alleys unguarded for a
moment without regretting it, for the
great Morse girl fairly cannonaded
drives down the line as she caught her
opponents out of position.
Great Day for North Star
Some of the forehand drives that
tho champion took on the full volley
and sent hurting back for clean
placement aces aroused the onlookers
to lmpromptu outbursts of applause.
IT was great day on the courts for
the North Star.
While we kept no accurate tally. it
is not stretching the point to say that
Alexander must have won quite a
dozen points on placement by the un-
canny skill of his lobbing Yesterday
The old Davis Cup king made use of
these shots in the middle of the hot
test rallies, and in almost every in
stance they won the point
In the middle of lightning driving
duels. Alexander would suddenly ,poy
the ball up high among the rafters. to
n urI4I !, 1yo vol,
McNeal raced after these shots in
frantic efforts to make the return, but
his opponent had placed them with
such nicely of judgment that the
Casino "pro" found himself charging
into the back walls and unable to make
the stroke.
Gail I've got to-day is a lob-a lot
and a prayer" Alexander remarked, as
they changed courts in the fifth game
We plead ignorance as to just how de.
vout worshipper the internationalist
is, but certainly he held command ot
wicked lob yesterday.
Miss Goss deserved q lot of praise
for her work. and her playing was al.
variety, yet she might have accom-
pl1shed so much more but for a fata
tendency to hesitate before going fol
the net position
Against the quality of tennis she
was opposed to-, fractions of a secon6
counted much, with the result tha'
often she was compelled to take the
bali at her feet half way between The
base line and the net With her 1ars
ability at volleying, Miss Goss woul(
have scored many more points had She
not waited and played the ball off The
ground.
Looking back over the match, the
chief imprc cssion we retain is that OF
the sustained brilliancy shown from
first to last. When one player had !
temporary lapse of form one of the
others was always there to carry tn,
struggle at top speed. 1t was, indeed, {
rare treat for lovers of the game
The point score follows:
,,,.. ,,....,.., First Set. PTS GINS
r.. b Alexander . 4 e4441455-4s
Miss Goss and
Harry McNeal.5 . II l o42 3 $40
Second Set.
Miss BjurStedt and
Alexander 49,; 4 4 0 - 4-3i
Miss Goss and
Harry McNeal.. o1447 2441 les
Third Set
Miss Rjurs EIDE and
Alexander ..... 0 0 Is 40
Miss Goss and
Harry McNea!.. 2i4i 43I2 2-2s
Rccaptuaon
Miss Blursteit and Ae1ander-3 sets. 10 games
li0 points Miss GosS and AleXarder--O sets, /,
games, 81 points.