Evening star., 1949-07-17
Shares Doubles Title
With Myers After
Beating HippenstieI
By Cospor Nonnes

1t. Charles Oliver Of Perth AM
boy. N. j., who was graduated from
West Point last month. climaxed
a spectacular performance in his
first Air Force tournament by
capturing the singles and sharing
the doubles crown yesterday at the
Army Navy Country Club. His
doubles partner was Maj. Larry
Myers of Los Angeles. Both men
represented the Air University at
Maxwell Field, Ala.
1t. Oliver upset pre-final pre-
dictions by decisively defeating
Capt. Robin Hippenstiel Of Wash
ington. defending titleholder, 6-3,
60, 90. He then went on with
Maj. Myers to wrest victory from
Capt. Hippenstiel and Col. Ram
say Potts of Memphis, Tenn. af-
ter being down two sets to love,
1-6. 6-8, 8-6, 6-1, 6-2.
The singles final was disappoint-
ing to q gallery that was large in
spites sof an early rain that forced
start Of the match a half-hour
later than the 10 am. scheduled
time. But the courts were in good
shape and the lack Of wind and
sun added to the generally good
conditions.
Hippenstiel Changes Tactics.
The West Point graduate was
to steady of the ground and on
his service for the Washington
Headquarters representative of the
Air Force to force the issue. Con-
trary to his usual practice. Hip
penstiel hugged the baseline
throughout the contest, only oc-
casionally following his service to
the net. His topped backhand and
forehand shots were no match for
the solidly hit drives of Oliver,
whose portside strokes kept his op-
ponent on the run. At one point
Oliver won II straight games, going
from 4-3 in the first set to 80 in
the third one.
But it was the doubles match
that intrigued the crowd. Hippen-
stiel and Potts raced through the
first set by constantly crowding
the net and putting away their op-
ponents' drives and lobs with A.
nality. Oliver and Myers made a
fight for the second chapter. over
hauling a 81 lead of the Wash
ington Headquarters team to forge
ahead at 5-3. But Myers here lost
his "jet-propelled" serve and Potts
evened the score by winning his
delivery. At 6-all Myers again lost
his serve. giving the game to his
opponents by a double fault on
game point. Potts then won his
serve for what looked to be an
unbeatable 20 set lead.
Myers Slugging Tells.
Games went on service in the
third set until 81 was reached.
Hippenstiel then dropped his de-
livery after deuce had been called
six times. Three times the Dis
trict players needed one point for
the game, and each time a poor
volley or weak overhead cost them
the point.
During this set Myers tre-
mendously~ hard-hit American
twist service. and his heavily
topped forehand drive consistently
opened up the court to enable
divers rapier-like volleys to win
points. Hippenstiel and Potts
still were trying to force the play
by taking the net but their volleys
were losing some Of their earlier
crispness and their overheads were
no longer as sharp.
The two sets following the ten
intermission were domi-
mated completely by Oliver and
Myers. The fourth set was a rout.
with everything the Air University
players hit going in and scoring
points. For a brief time at the
start of the fifth chapter 1t looked
as though Hippenstiel and Potts
would make a fight Of it. Hip
penstiel won his opening service
and his side went on to advantage
in the next game. But Potts VOL
leyed into the net, and Oliver
quickly took his delivery with two
well-placed drives.
In the team championship
Washington Headquarters took
first place with Is points. the Air
University second with 10 points
and the Far East Air Force third
with 71a points. Points were
scored by each victory in singles
and doubles couting one point,
with double winners each receiv-
ing a half-point.
The trophies were presented to
the players by Maj. Gen. F. L.
Ankenbrandt Of Washington fol-