Evening star., 1924-07-05
MISS WILLS PRAISED
DESPITE Her DEFEAT
By the Associated Press.
InAnnA IIal.r Z 1

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, July Sin reviewing the
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Tourna-
ment. the newspaper critics today de-
clare that. despite her defeat by Miss
athleen Mckane in the finals of
yesterday. 4-6, Ct. 6-4, the game
displayed by the American cham
pion, Helen Wills, justified her repu-
tation as a great player.
She was steady, daring and ac-
curate. revealing all the qualities of
q champion, say the English writer's.
Furthermore she is better stroke
maker than her conqueror, Miss Nc
Kane, and probably hit harder at
times during their match than any
other woman player seen at Wimble-
don.
The experts seem to find it difficult
to decide exactly what gave the
British woman the victory. some at
trihuting it to her speedier footwork
and others to Miss Wills occasional
lapses from her best.
Their praise of the American does
not lessen their admiration for their
own champion, but several think
that neither player could have stood
against Suzanne Lenglen or Eliza
Miss McKane had to make an up
hill struggle, as Miss Wills, after
taking the first set, led the second at
4 to l. When her cause became des-
perate. Miss Mckane threw aside the
| that usually characterizes her play.
She abandoned the backcourt and
rushed to the net at every oppor-
tunity.
Miss Wills fought doggedly for
every point. but she fought cautiously
Miss Mckane when she was taking
brave risks and succeeding with them.
In the final set the American cham
pion won what seemed to be the
critical fifth game and led at to 2.
but the British star would not be
denied her victory
From back of the court the strokes
and strategy of the two players
seemed equally effective. Miss Wills,
than the British girl, who lacks the
possesses. u 1t 1as ' MISS is wills 1her,Sho Who
was forcing the pace most of the
time, but it was Miss Mckane who
got about the court faster. And this
was an important advantage, for each
of them saw to II that the other kept
running from one side to the other.
Passing shots of rare beauty and
fine nicety of execution were frequent
by both players. From midcourt each
drove furiously. thrusting long shots
close to the side lines and corners
with sureness of aim that seemed
much like that of Mile. Lenglen, who
was we'll enough to watch from the
stands a titular contest which she
was not well enough to enter. But 1T
was at the net that Miss McKane was
superior. 1t was a slight superiority.
but enough to defeat the young
Californian.
Ever restrained, or seeming so. Miss
Wills played safe in her volleying.
She slapped at the ball too softly, and
the heet-footed British player was
often able to reach 1T on the bounce
and return it. On the other hand.
when Miss McKane got possession of
the forecourt she smashed to kill, and
Miss Wills was seldom able even to
get her racket near the hard-hit ball.
Summaries:
Mems doubles. semi hnal-R Norris Will
| l'sms and Watson NJ. Washburn United
states, defeated Randolph Lycett and l.. A.
Godfree, England, 80. 12-1O 63. Tt and
| Default: Vincent Richards and Francis 7.
Hunter, United States. defeated Louis Ray
mond and T. D. b. Spence, South Africa
| Mixed doubles semi i-nnals-L A. Godfree
| and Mrs. Shepher I'd Barron. England. defeated
Max Woosnam and Mrs. Phyllis Covel. Eng
| land, Ga. +6, st; Miss Kathleen Mckane
| and ]. Brian Gilbert, England. defeated Miss
| e. H. Harvey and z. T. Lamb. England. e.,
I6-.