Evening star., 1940-07-31
Eleanor voith, Peggy
Smith Face Today
In SpieyMatch
Both Have Leoped Into
Spotlight; Doubles Play
Provides Thrills
BY BILL DISMER, Jr.


Heretofore all but disregarded by
the general public, the annual tour
nament of the Women's Tennis
League assumed new and justified
Importance today with. the realiza-
ton that this weeks event at the
Rock Greek courts had drawn the
cream of the city's feminine crop
and that its ending would be just
as climactic as any major tourna-
ment held here this year.
In past years the leagues tourna-
ment usually has been held when
most of the city's best netwomen
were out of town and victory, con-
sequently, was rather hollow. The
current tourney. however, not only
embraces all but one or two of the
Capitals topnotchers, but has
brought to the fore two young ladies
of hitherto suspected, and now
proven, class.
Such names as Willie Herbert.
Charlotte Decker, Dorette Miller and
Margaret Keever-all survivors as
play was to continue late today
are bywords with District tennis
followers and indicate the caliber
OF the present competition.
AS for the pair which has sprung
suddenly into the spotlight, Eleanor
Voith and Peggy Smith. they were
to clash today in quarter-f final
match which exceeded in interest
the others if only because of the
names involved.
Both Have Improved Steadily.
AS matter of fact, neither Miss
Voith nor Mrs. Smith are new
corners to the local scene. The
former. as capable a secretary as
the league ever had. has been i'm
proving little by little each year
and yesterday climaxed her current
season by finally defeating Mar
garet Graham. several years her
senior, in the third and deciding
set of a match which they had been
unable to complete on two previous
occasions.
Mrs. Smith, on the other hand.
probably will be remembered as the
little Peggy Keyser who dominated
girls tennis here in the late '2Os
and early sos almost as completely
as Bobby Bensinger rules the local
Junior net world today. Tennis al
most lost Mrs. Smith, for she was
seriously injured in an automobile
accident several years ago. Had she
not been ambidextrous she would
have been forced to give up the game
entirely, for her right hand and wrist
were crushed
Today, however, Peggy is playing
nearly as we'll as she ever did. and
should she beat Miss Voith to enter
the semifinals. her showing against
Mrs. Herbert or Mrs. Miller. con-
testants in the other quarter-flnal
engagement, would be interesting. to
say the least. This afternoons other
match sent Miss Decker against
Mrs. Keever, with the former
favored to avenge her setback by the
Navy officers wife in the public
parks tournament.
Lone 3-Set Singles Tilt.
Mrs. Miller was the only sur
vivor extended to three sets yes
terday. Eleanor Fishburn taking
the first before the former pre-
vailed at ST, 60, Ga. Miss
Decker swept over Hazel (Jimmy)
Bishopp, 6-3. CO. Mrs. Keever
defeated Lib Sewers, 60, 6-3. and
Miss Voitr won her final set from
Mrs. Graham, 6-3.
Either Joan Bransford and Fran
ces Carter or Frances Bassett and
Helen Bageant were due to reach
the final in doubles today as they
clashed in a semifinal match. Miss
Decker and Frances Rowan. mean
while, were awaiting the outcome
of match between Sara Moore and
Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Graham and
Miss Flshburn before playing their
semiflnal engagement.
The feature of yesterdays doubles
play was the fact that the young
team of Margot Parsons and Julie
Fiske took set from Mrs. Bassett
and Mrs. Bageant before the latter
won, 6-l, 2-6, 60. Hazel (Jim-
my Bishopp and Roselyn Pope were
the only team forced to play two
sets, losing to Mrs. Bransford and
Miss Carter. Ga, 60, after beat
ing Betty Zimmerman and Helen
Miller, 60, 60. La Jeanne Echols
and Betty Jacob proved just a
bit too inexperienced against Miss
Decker and Mrs. Rowan, who won,
6-1, 6-3. An attack of laryngitis
compelled Helen Levy to default
with Miss Voith to Mrs. Graham
and Miss Fishburn.