The finals of the championship of France were held during our
stay and, greatly to our surprise, A. H. Gobert, the defending
title holder, fell a victim to his old enemy, heat, and went down
to defeat before Samazieuhl. The Hard Court championships of the
world produced a series of the most sensational upsets in the
history of the game, a series, I might add, that did much to
allow me to win the event. Gobert lost to Nicholas Mishu in the
first round. Alonzo, after defeating Samazieuhl, went down to
defeat at hands of Laurentz, who in turn collapsed to Tegner.
Fate pursued the winners, for Tegner was eliminated by Washer,
who came through to the final against me. Either Alonzo or
Laurentz should have been finalists if the unexpected had not
occurred, and either would have been a hard proposition for me
particularly in my condition. I had been taken ill on my arrival
in Paris and was still far from well. However, Fortune smiled on
me and I succeeded in defeating Washer 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Meanwhile the long awaited meeting between Mlle. Lenglen and Mrs.
Mallory was at hand. Mrs. Mallory had come through one side of
the tournament after a bitter battle with Mme. Billoutt (Mlle.
Brocadies) in the semi final.
Mlle. Lenglen had proceeded in her usual leisurely fashion to the
finals with the loss of but two games.
What a meeting these two great players, Mrs. Mallory and Mlle.
Lenglen, had! Every seat in the stands sold and every inch of
standing room crowded! It was a marvellous match, both women
playing great tennis.
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