TENNIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1926, Page 4

TENNIS.

A GOOD FIGHT. [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association/* tCANNUIS, Feb. 16. Miss Wills put up a better fight than the .scores indicate. .She ran Millie. Lenglen everywhere in the court in tlio first six games. There was a dramatic intermptiton in tke second set, when the games stood o—s, the match pointing in favour of Suzanne. One linesman gave his decision in favour of the French girl, and two others decided against her. The spectators shouted “Suzanne Wins!” The umpire, however, corrected the decision, and recalled the players. Suzanne was very angry. She burst into tears, and wept profusely, and it seemed that she might collapse. Then her volatile temper ament was evident. The demoniac strength with which she smashed the ball in the next two games was a. revelation. ’lhe ball barely skimmed the net. She utterly over came Miss Wills, who was limping and tired out. and was bleeding from the

AY 1 it;il the final score was announced. Helen heartily shook hands with Suzanne, who was beaming with delight, while “Little Miss Pokcrfme” was as cool and collected as e\ci. Tl,e best critics do not support Mdlle Lenglen’s view that she played below her form, but the critics say that both played the best game of which they were capable. It is agreed that Miss Wills emerges with an enhanced reputation. She played finer and more forcible lenuis than Mdlle Lenglen, and had the percentage of her errors been «• trifle lower, the story might easily have licoii dill omit.

ENGLISH CRITIC’S COMMENT .LONDON. Feb. 17

AVullis Myers, writing in the “Daily Telegraph,” says: Helen Wills’ »?- sistance. for over sixty minutes in a thrilling, level encounter proved the prophets wene absurdly premature in forecasting a runaway victory for her opponent. Though Millie. Lenglen won the first set by a. .satisfying margin, she had to fight every moment in the second set. It was a set ot palpitating fluctuations, with scenes towards ihe end unprecedented in the annals of Hie game. Roserihing the mistake in the 12th. game, Air Myers says: Suzanne was leading (j—s. She was almost breathless. Serving, she reached -10—lo. Helen thou played a withering forehand drive, which hit the line plumb in the middle. Lord Charles Hope, the linesman concerned, said nothing, as was only right and proper. Suzanne thought the hall out. and the match over. She tripped towards the umpire. Miss Wills ruefully doing tho

same. The crowd rose in their scats, and the people hurst on to the court. Lord Hope made a bee line for the umpii'?, and explained the fat ts. Mr Hi Ilya rd, keeping Ids head in Hire crisis, recalled the players. It was a terrible moment for Suzanne. She ob-

viously was tiring and was overwrought, and she had drunk freely of brandy, her French temperament reacting under the strain. For a moment. Helen, reprieved alter apparent, defeat, appeared likely lo pull off a great triumph. She won the 12th. and was within a point in the thirteenth game. ’I Iv American spectators .‘honied delirious applause. It is a great tribute to Suzanne, however, that she did not falter. Drawing on low deeper experience, and teasing Helen with a shorter length, thereby (hawing her oponent’s last remaining stamina. Suzanne won out with sound, defensive strokes.