New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-07-02
Helen Wills WINNER
Of WIMBLEDON TITLE
American Girl Vanquishes
Spanish Rival in
Final Play

Wimbledon. England, July 6.-R
An American girl wears the wom-
ems singles crown of Wimbledon for
the first time in twenty years.
Miss Helen Wills, 21-year-old
Californian and three times former
American champion, swept to the
title today by conquering the Span
ish star, Senorlta Ella De Alvarez, in
straight sets. 81, GA.
1t was decisive victory for the
hard-driving American girl, the
CLIMAX OF a march through a field
composed Of the worlds foremost
women amateurs. It put Miss Wills
at the top of tennis heap once more,
undisputed successor to Suzanne
Lenglen, after a brilliant comeback
from the illness that forced her out
Of nearly all championship com pie
ton, abroad and at home. in 1925.
Twenty years ago, May Sutton.
now Mrs. Bundy. won the Wimble-
don singles but no American has
triumphed in the tournament since
then. In her only former attempt,
Miss Wills was defeated In the 1924
finals by the girl whose title she
took today. Kitty McKane Godfree
of England.
A last minute alteration in the
program of the day placed the Wills
De Alvarez match first because of
the threatening weather, the organ
izers of the tournament being anx-
ious to finish off at least one of the
finals today. They chose two out of
three sets rather than three out of
five to decide the matches.
The crowd was smaller than last
Saturday.
Thirteen photographers stood in
line as the girls entered the courts.
This is bad luck for some one."
said Senorita De Alvarez and then
changed her brilliant red sleeveless
sweater and turban to a pale green.
The American girl started off we'll
In the first set. Serving, she won the
first game and then captured Senior
ita De Alvarez service. Helen then
made it three love by deep driving
returns only to have the Spanish girl
take the next game on her own serv-
Ice, making the score 81.
Miss Wills captured the next
game. The tennis was of stereo-
typed baseline variety. but the great
or 81 Ia1a
court forehand drive was especially
effective.
Senorita De Alvarez carried the
score to AZ. but Miss Wills captur-
ed the seventh game at love, scoring
two aces on her service. Miss Wills
quickly followed with the eighth and
deciding game Of the set.
Helen completely dominated the
Spanish player during the first set.
Her speed of stroke was too much
for the Spanish senorita to cope
with.
Magnificent stroking and long
tense rallies marked the first game
of the second set which Helen won
on her service after making her
points on four deuces. The match
was still being strictly conducted
from the baseline.
Helen went into the lead 81 In
the second set, breaking through the
senorita's service in the second game.
but Senorita De Alvarez, displaying
the brilliant style which caused her
to become famous in the tennis
world. suddenly rushed up to the
net and smashed and volleyed to
win Helen's service.
The games then reached 30 In
favor of Miss Wills after the Spanish
girl had brought the score to 2-all.
Both girls were paying particular at
tention to one another's backhand.
Senorita De Alvarez rallied to
break through Miss Wills service in
the seventh game and led at 4-3 as
both girls battled at spectacular pace
for every point. Both ,emed tired
in the eighth game, Miss Wills lean
ing on her racquet for a bit Of rest
between games. She countered with
a service break and the score was
deadlocked again for the second set.
The Spanish girl was pear collapse
after being chased from corner to
corner by the Americans drives.