WIGHTMAN CUP

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27375, 14 June 1954, Page 12

WIGHTMAN CUP

LAWN TENNIS

BRITAIN LOSES TO UNITED STATES

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, June 12.

America’s lawn tennis women—all Wimbledon champions—once again proved too good for the best in Britain today, when they won the Wightman Cup international at Wimbledon by 6 matches to 0, with one match left unplayed. They took all three matches today to add to the 3-0 lead they held on Friday. Commentators said afterwards, however, that the tournament was no rout, and a patched-up team showed, as on the first day, that the gap between America's “big five” and the British standard is narrowing. Only in Maureen Connolly’s play did the Americans show clear-cut superiority. Today, Angela Buxton, a 19-year-old Londoner, who was pitchforked into the Wightman Cup team for the first time, added polish to the spurs she won in yesterday’s doubles when she worried Louise Brough, three times Wimbledon champion, into a 14-games first set in a match which decided.the whole tie.

Then Helen Fletcher, who less than tw< weeks ago was lying in a French hos pital with mumps, took a set from Doris Hart, and was only beaten 6-1, 6-8, 6-2.

Scores:—Miss Hart beat Miss Fletchei 6-1. 6-8, 6-2; Miss Connolly beat Miss Am Shilcock. 6-2, 6-2; Miss Brough beat Mis Buxton, 8-6, 6-2. The doubles were lef unplayed.