THRILLING ENCOUNTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19255, 18 February 1926, Page 11

THRILLING ENCOUNTER

MISTAKE ! N SECOND SET. ENGLISH WRITER'S DESCRIPTION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. t (Reed. 10.45 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 17. The tennis ? authority, Mr. Walfis Mysrs, writing in the Daily Telegraph, says:—"Helen Wills', resisteuco for over 60 minutes in a thrilling, level encounter proved that the prophets were absurdly premature in forecasting a romp-away victory lor Mdlle.'Lengien. Although the. .latter won the fiist .set by a satisfying margin, she had to 'tight, every inch of the court and eve,ry moment in the second set—a set palpitating with fluctuations. Tbe scenes toward the end were unprecedented in the annals of the game." Describing the mistake in the 12th game, Mr. Myers says: "Suzanne was leading 6—5 and was almost, breathless. Blje was serving.and the score had reached 40—15 when Helen played n withering forehand drive which hit, the jlinc plumb in the middle. Lord Charles Hope, the linesman •concerned, said nothing, as was only right and proper. "Suzanne thought, the hall was out and the match over.'' Sue tripped toward the umpire. Helen ruefully did the same,, "The crowd rose in their seats. Paople burst on to the court and Lord Hope made a beelinu for the umpire. He explained the fact?. "The umpire, Mr. Hillyard, keeping his head in Ihe 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 reacted i; rider the strain. /"For the moment Helen was reprieved Jtffer 1-3 C apparent defeat and she appeared likely to pull off a great triumph. She w in the 12th game and was within a point iji the 13th game. "The American "spectators, shouted m delirious approval. It is a great tribute to.Suzsn.'ie that she did not falter. DraWhijr,.o:t her deeper experience, teasing Helton with a shorter length ball _ and draining her opponent's last remaining Btarnina, Sur,anne'won out with sound d<»ienuive i.trokes."