A DRAMATIC INCIDENT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10673, 18 February 1926, Page 5

A DRAMATIC INCIDENT

TENNIS AT CANNES.

MDLLE. LENGLEN’S VICTORY

DECISION BY LINESAIEN. (Per Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, February 17. There was a dramatic interruption in the tennis match at Cannes between Miss Helen Wills (America) and Mdlle. Lenglen (France). This occurred in the second set, when the games stood 6-5 in favour of the French player. One linesman gave liis decision in favour of the French girl, and two others against her. Spectators shouted, “Suzanne wins !” . The umpire corrected his decision and recalled the players. Suzanne was very angry. She burst into tears, wept profusely, and it seemed that she might collapse. Then her volatile temperament was evident. The demon strength with which she smashed the hall in the next two games was a revelation. The ball barely skimmed the net. She utterly overcame Miss AVills, who was limping and tired out, bleeding from the nose.

AVhen the final score was announced Helen heartily shook hands with Suzanne, who was beaming with delight, while “ Little Miss Pokerface ” was as cool and collected as ever.

The best critics do not support Mdlle. Lenglen’s view that she played below form, but say that both played the best game of which they were capable. It is agreed that Miss AVills emerges with an enhanced reputation. She played finer and more forcible tennis than Mdlle: Lenglen, and had the percentage of her errors been a trifle lower the story might easily have been different.

The linesman wlio ruled the ball good was Lord Charles Hope, who is positive regarding the decision. AVhen the match ended Helen and Suzanne rushed to embrace, warmly shaking hands. There was an excited demonstration by Suzanne’s admirers, and magnificent bouquets were presented to both. Suzanne was borne around on the shoulders of her admirers, garlanded with roses.

Helen’s mother presented the winner’s cup to Suzanne. Interviewed later, Mdlle. Lenglen said: “I am very disgusted with everything. I have not said yet my last word regarding the officials.” The players did not rest between sets. Mdlle. Lenglen took a sip of champagne. Miss AVills was not the slightest disturbed. She walked quietly to the opposite court. Once Suzanne turned to the crowd and implored them to keep quiet, and play was suspended for a period while the police endeavoured to restore order.

Mdlle. Lenglen, interviewed, said: “ I played in the most awful fashion. The flowers which have been presented to me give me but little pleasure, as I am not at all pleased with my accomplishment. I’m sure I shall play a much better game before a British crowd at Wimbledon.’’

Miss Wills said: “It was an enjoyable match. Mdlle. Lenglen is just as good as she thought she was.” Mr WaTlis Myers, writing in the “Daily Telegraph” thus describes the mistake in the twelfth game: Suzanne was leading 6-5. The crowd was almost breathless when, serving, she reached 40-15. Helen 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 ball out and the game over. She tripped .toward the umpire, Miss Wills ruefully doing the same. The crowd rose in their seats and people burst on to the court. Lord Hope made a beeline to the umpire and explained the facts. Mr George Hillyard, keeping his bead in the crisis, recalled the players. It was a terrible moment for Suzanne. She was obviously tiring and overwrought. She had drunk freely of brandy and her French temperament was reacting under the strain. For the moment Helen was re-

prieved after an apparent defeat and appeared likely to pull off a great triumph. She won the twelfth game and got within a point of the thirteenth game. The American spectators shouted delirious approvel. It is a great tribute to Suzanne that she did not falter. Drawing on her deeper experience she teased Helen with a shorter length. Draining her opponent’s la,st remaining stamina. Suzanne won out with sound defensive strokes.