MISS JACOBS'S VICTORY

Evening Star, Issue 22383, 6 July 1936, Page 6

MISS JACOBS'S VICTORY

The special correspondent of the Australian Associated Press at Wimbledon says: “Six hundred people, 20 of whom were robbed while they slept on the footpath, waited all night, despite the fact that the final day without Mrs Helen Wills-Moody lacked its normal glamour. Miss Helen Jacobs appeared for the fifth time in the final round. She showed all the versatility and persistence necessary against Mrs Sperling’s unpolished safe game. Each played almost exclusively from the baseline, but the American’s service and speed about the court in the decisive first set and her chopping induced errors in .Mrs Sperling’s drive. Miss Jacobs led 3-1 in the second set, but the German, driving with more determination, and splendidly withstanding Miss Jacobs’s crosscourt attack, took the next four games. Tenacious backhand exchanges, often 25 strokes per rally, continued. Miss Jacobs saved set point with a beautiful volley after a rally of 45 strokes, but the German fought back and held the set. Attacking vigorously, Miss Jacobs led 3-1 in the next set, a net cord shot depriving her of a 4-1 lead. Splendidly as agile Miss Jacobs volleyed and smashed, patient Mrs Sperling levelled at 4-4. Miss Jacobs, aided by a net cord, regained the lead. Mrs Sperling staved off two match points. Miss Jacobs was given an ovation for her victory in an exhausting and clever if unspectacular match lasting one and three-quarter hours.

Miss Jacobs, who appropriately won on Independence Day, said; “I will come here year after year only to meet someone better than myself. To-day’s was the hardest of my five Wimbledon singles finals. It was a terrific game.” Miss Jacobs’s strenuous performance in the singles affected her play in the women’s doubles final. Miss Stammers and Miss James were at the top of their form, and had a very easy w’in.