Evening star., 1949-07-24
Ann Gray 10 Oppose
Magda Rurac Today
For Women's S Title
By Cospor Names

Washington and Lieut.. Charles
Oliver of Perth Amboy, N. j., both
Air Force officers, will meet for
the second time in eight days when
they tangle this afternoon for the
Middle Atlantic tennis title at the
Kenwood Country Club.
A week ago yesterday, Oliver,
who was graduated from West
Point last month, defeated Hip
penstiel for the Air Force crown
at the Army Navy Country Club
in straight sets. On the basis of
that victory and his superb play
last week, Oliver is heavily fav-
ored to win today. But the veteran
Hippenstiel has many supporters
who believe he can upset his
younger opponent.
Oliver smashed and volleyed his
way into the final round by
smothering Tony Vincent, Uni
versity OF Miami star, yesterday
in the Semif1nal round with the
loss of only one game. The
weather was hot, but Oliver was
even hotter as his drives nicked
the lines, his serve kicked wide
to force short returns and his vol
leys singed through the court
Hippenstiel won Ga, Ga over
Hal Burrows, University of Vir-
ginia player. in a match filled
with exceptionally fine tennis
and. in its closing games, tense
drama.
Rurac, Gray in Women's Final.
In the women's singles final,
slated at 2 o'clock this afternoon
with the mems match following,
national Women's clay court
champion Madge Rurac will meet
Mrs. Ann Gray, perennial local
titleholder. Miss Rurac defeated
Charlotte Decker. 8-6, GO, and
Mrs. Grey beat Willie Herbert
6-1, 6-3.
Later in the day Miss Rurac and
Frances Barry of Washington will
face Mrs. Marion Ausness and
Dorothy Estes of Baltimore for
the women's doubles crown. The
latter scored a definite upset when
they conquered Mrs. Gray and
Miss Decker. 6-3. 2-6, 6-3. Miss
Rurac and Miss Berry reached the
final by disposing of Barbara
Scarlett and Mrs. Adriene Ayares
OF Baltimore, IS, 3-6, 60.
The battle between Hippenstiel
and Burrows was one between
youth and age. During the first
set, when each man was losing
his service with amazing regu-
larity. the 34-year-old Hippenstiel
ran cat-like around the court.
Though down 81 with Burrows
serve coming up. the Washington
player appeared confident and
keen. This attitude was justified
as his sharp volleys and quick
reactions to Burrows deep drives
enabled him to take five of the
next six games to win the set
at Ga.
Sun Takes Toll.
But with the start of the sec
ond set the toll of a strong sun
and long rallies showed. Burrows
had concentrated on drawing his
opponent up to the net by drop
shots that barely cleared the bar
rier. These tactics were now be-
ginning to pay off in that Hip
penstiel gradually slowed in re-
trieving them, and in his game
generally. The only flaw was that
Burrows persisted in playing the
drop shots despite the fact he
began to miss too many of them.
The turning point came at Sail
when Hippenstiel broke through
Burrows serve. 1t was apparent
to the gallery that the Washing
ton star had to win his next two
serves for the match. Few Of those
watching would have favored his
lasting through the deciding third
set against his 24-year-old rival.
Hippenstiel apparently felt the
same way, for he served the
game with great care. For the
first time in the match he followed
each serve to the barrier, winning
the first two points outright on
volleys, forcing an error on the
next one and decisively volleying
the final point. Burrows took his
serve with the loss of only one
point. In the final game the Dis
trict star, taking his time between
serves and conserving his strength
carefully. followed each delivery
to the barrier. There he either
won the point outright or forced
an error to take the game at love
for set and match.
Display Sportsmanship.
Both men played fine tennis.
with some individual points being
among the best ever to be seen
on a local court. In addition, de-
spite the tense contest, each man
displayed exceptional sportsman
ship by throwing important points
as they felt the umpire calls were
wrong.
The victory of the Mrs. Aus
Miss Estes combination over
Mrs. Gray and Miss Decker was
featured by the superb net play
of Miss Estes. Her Sharpshoot-
ing at critical junctures was the
element that turned the contest
into victory for her side.
Hippenstiel and Oliver will meet
DR.. David johnson and Alphonse
Smith in the final of the mems
doubles. The former defeated
IS, Is and the latter upset
Barney Welsh and Hugh Lynch,
60. 2-6. IS.
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