CHAMPIONS MEET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19717, 18 February 1926, Page 9

CHAMPIONS MEET

THE LEN GLEN -WILLS MATCH. INCIDENTS OF THE CONTEST. FRENCH PLAYER IN TEARS. (Press Assoo'Jition —By Telegraph—( py right ) CANNES, Februarv 16. (Received Feb. 17, a 5.5 p.m.) The correct score in the match between Mdlle. Lenglen and Miss Hele Wills was 6—3, B—6, in favour of the former. It was the victory of a dragon fly over a bee. All Miss Wills’s industry, pertinacity, and physical strength were unavailing against Mdlle. Lenglen’s swift darts across the court. Her lightning-like anticipation, seconded by her equally rapid movement, outbalanced Miss Wills’s hardest drives. Mdlle Lenglen’s win was not only a victory of genius over talent, but a striking conquest of her own temperament. After her somewhat nervous play yesterday doubt began to creep into some minds whether if she met dangerous opposition her nerves would stand the strain. Mdlle Lenglen made short work of all such misgivings, although Miss Wills led at the beginning of both sets and gave Mdlle Lenglen a itter battle in the second set. The match adds to the reputation of both players. Sunshine and a light breeze prevailed during the match. The crowd stood in a queue waiting from an early hour for the unreserved seats. Kinemaoperators were stationed in all the available , windows of the neighbouring buildings. A crowd, chiefly consisting of youths and American students, raided the courts and .tried to storm the gates, but were thrown, back bv the gendarmes after making a huge breach in the fences. The appearance of the players on the court was the signal for an outburst of enthusiasm. The mistal a in the earlier score for the second eet arose when Miss Wills sent a dazzing return down the sideline. One of the linesmen gave it out, but the others ruled that it was good. The spectators demonstrated wildly for some time. When the critical ruling was given Mdlle Lenglen was furious. Her face reddened and she shook her head. She seemed unwilling to continue and burst into tears. Miss Wills appeared to he spent and began to bleed at the nose. The linesman who ruled that the ball was good was Lord Charles Hope, ■who is positive regarding his decision. When the match ended Hehn , 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 cup. Mdlle. Lenglen, interviewed later, said : “I am very disgusted with everything. I have not yet said my last word regarding the officials.” M IPS Wills said : “It was an enjoyable match. Mdlle. Lenglen is as good as I thought she was.” Miss Wills put up a better fight than the scores indicate. She ran Mdlle Lenglen everywhere in the court in the first six games. There was a dramatic interruption in the second set when the games stood 6—5 the match point in favour of Mdlle Lenglen. One linesman gave a decision in favour of the French girl and two others against her. The spectators shouted “Susanne wins.” The umpire corrected the decision and recalled the players. Suzanne was very angry. She burst into tears and wept profusely and it seemed that she might collapse. Then her volatile temperament was evident and the demon strength with which she smashed the hall in the next two games \va s a revelation. The ball barelv skimmed the net. She utterly overcame Miss Wills who was limping and tired out and bleeding from the nose. When the final score w r as announced Helen heartily shook l ands with Suzanne who was beaming with delight, while “Little Miss Poker Face” was as cool and collected as ever. The best critics do not support Mdlle. Lenglen’s view that she played below form, but they say that both played the best game of which thov were capable. It is agreed that Miss Wills emerges with an enhanced reputation. She played finer and more forcible tennis than Mdlle. LengIcn, and Iwd the percentage of her errors been a trifle lower the story mipht easily have been different. —A. and N.Z. Cable, and Reuter. MISTAKE IN SECOND SET. PLAYERS RECALLED TO COURT. LONDON, February 16. (Received Feb. 17, at 9 p.m.) The spectators rushed the court and carried Mdlle. Lenglen shoulder-high, covered with wreaths and flowers. The players did not rest between the sets. Mdlle. Lenglen took a sip of champagne. Miss Wills was not the slightest disturbed and walked quietly to the opposite court. Once Suzanne turned to the crowd and implored them to keep quiet. Play was suspended for a period while the police endeavoured to restore order. Mdlle Lenglen, in an interview, said “1 played in a most awful fashion. The flowers which were presented to me give me but little pleasure as I am not at all pleased with my accomplishment. I’m sure 1 shall play a much better game before a British crowd at Wimbledon. Mr A. Wallis Myers writing in the Daily Telegraph says: “Miss Helen Wills’s resistance for over 60 minutes in a thrilling and level encounter proved that the prophets were absurdly premature in forecasting a rompaway victory. Though Mdlle. Lenglen won the first set by a satisfying margin she had to fight every inch of the court and every moment of the second set—a set palpitating with fluctuations, and with scenes towards the end unprecedented in the annals of the game.” Describing the mistake in the twelfth game, Mr Myers says: “Susanne was leadin 6—5, and serving. She, serving, 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 that the ball was out and the match over and she tripped towards the umpire. Miss Wills ruefully doing the same. The crowd rose in their seats and the people burst on to the court. Lord Charles Hop ■ made a beeline for the umpire and explained the facts. Captain Hillyard, keeping his head in the crisis, recalled the players. It was a terrible moment for Suzanne. Helen, reprieved after apparent defeat, appeared likely to pul! off a great triumph. She won the twelfth game and was within a point of the thirteenth. The American spectators shouted delirious approval. It is a great tribute to Suzanne that she did not falter. Drawing on her deeper experience she teased Helen with shorter length shots, draining her opponent’s last remaining stamina. Suzanne won out with sound defensive strokes.”—A. and N.Z. Cable. FINAL OF THE DOUBLES. CANNES, February 16. (Received Feb. 17, at 6.5 p.m.) In the final of the doubles Mdlle. Lenglen and Mdlle Vlasta defeated Miss Wills and Mdlle Contostavalos 6—4, B—6. Reuter. • EXPLOITING THE GAME. BLACKLISTING OE RIVIERA SUGGESTED. LONDON, February 16. (Received Feb. 17, at 7 p.m.) The Cannes correspondent of the Star says that several internationally prominent lawn tennis players who are at present on the Riviera intend to give the commercialism scandal prominence. They promise exposures that will surprise the sporting world, showing that the gambling ring which controls the Riviera has now, obtained a grip of the game. The players threaten to endeavour to persuade the English, American, and other federations to put the Riviera on the black list unless tile tournaments are thoroughly cleansed.