TENNIS Miss Smith Wimbledon Title Winner

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30179, 10 July 1963, Page 21

TENNIS Miss Smith Wimbledon Title Winner

(A .Z -Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, July 9. The Wimbledon women’s singles title was won by an Australian for the first time yesterday. Miss Margaret Smith defeated the bespectacled Californian girl, Miss B. J. Moffitt, 6-3, 6-4, in a 54-minute final, and avenged her defeat to the American in the first round last year.

The tall Australian girl also won the mixed doubles title with K. N. Fletcher, but was beaten in the women’s doubles. The finals ha dbeen postponed from Saturday to yesterday because of rain.

Miss Smith duly disposed of “Little Miss Moffitt,” though not before she had dropped two service games in the second set. It was the American who was afflicted by nerves. She served three double faults in the opening game, but not until the closing stage did she reproduce some of the irrepressible volleying which knocked put three seeded players in previous round*. By then it was too late.

Miss Smith had a break while R. Osuna and A. Palafox (Mexico, were outmanoeuvring the French pair, F. P. Darmon and J. C. Barclay in the men's doubles final. 4-6. 6-2, 6-2. 6-2. Then she was back on the centre court with Miss R.

Ebbern, playing against Miss M. Bueno fßrazil) and Miss D. R. Hard (United States) for the women’s doubles crown.

Miss Ebbern, the 18-year-old Australian junior champion, found the occasion too much for her, and although Miss Smith played brilliantly, Misses Bueno and Hard prevailed, 8-6. 9-7. Results of finals were (‘denotes seeded players).—

Wemen’s Slagles.—‘Miaa M Smith (Australia) beat Miss B J Moffitt (America). 6-3. 6-4. Men's Doubles.—R. H. Osuna and A. Palafox (Mexico) beat J. C. Barclay and P. Darmon (France). 4-6. 6-2. 6-2. 6-2.

Women’s Doubles.—‘Miss M. E. Bueno (Brazil) and Miss D. R. Hard (U.S.) beat ‘Mis« ft A. Kibern and Miss M. Smith (Australia). 8-6, 9-7. Mixed Doable*.—‘K. N. Fletcher and Miss M. Smith (Australia) beat R. A. J. Hewitt )Australia) and Mia* D. R. Hard (U.S ), 11-8. 6-4. Men’s Plate.—E. L. Scott (America) beat I. S. Crookenden (New Zealand) on a walkover when Crookenden rcratched.

Junior Beys.—K. Kalogeropoulos (Greece) beat I. Elshwfei (Egypt), 8-4. 6-3.

Junior Girls.—Miss D. M Salfati (France) beat Miss K. Penning (Australia). 6-4. 6-1.