NO NEW CHAMPION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 193, 15 August 1931, Page 1

NO NEW CHAMPION.

Finalists in Tennis Game Both Retire. ENGLISH WOMEN’S DECISION United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received August 15. 11.35 a.m.) VANCOUVER, August 14. The women’s singles at the Eastern Turf Court tennis championships at Rye ended to-day without a champion, the English finalists, Miss Joan Ridley and Mrs Pittman, retiring after each had won a set. Mrs Pittman won the first 6-3 and Miss Ridley won the second 6-4. It is a question whether the names of both or neither will be engraved on the championship bowl. Both insisted that both names should be engraved, but Dr Philip B. Hawk, chairman of the Championship Committee, said that if the rules of the association permit, he will default both players. The two women, after eliminating a list of formidable American players, engaged in a stirring and well-played match, while it lasted. After dividing two sets, instead of retiring for a tenminute intermission, both rushed to the net, and shook hands, while a surprised gallery looked on. “Another set to play, ladies,” the umpire called. “ Oh, no,” they chorused. “We retire,” with which they picked up their racquets and started for the clubhouse. Dr Hawk rushed to them and explained that American championships never ended in that way, but the women were firm. “We have to play an important doubles match. We feel it is proper to retire,” they declared. They declined to settle the matter by tossing a coin. * Men’s Gaines. In the men’s quarter finals, Perry defeated Van Ryn 8-6, 6-3. Mangin defeated Hughes 6-2, 6-2.