Squash Racquets

In the U. S., squash racquets for women is still something of a novelty. It started a few years ago in Boston, where Miss Eleanora Sears and her friends were allowed the use of courts in men's clubs at odd hours. When Manhattan and Philadelphia clubs added courts to keep up with the sudden growth of men's squash racquets, women took to using them. The Junior League in Manhattan built two courts, the Cosmopolitan Club another. There are now 17 clubs in the Metropolitan (Manhattan) Women's Squash Racquets League, formed last autumn. In Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, women use men's courts whenever they get a chance. Last week the sixth women's squash racquets championship had a special importance: a team of seven Englishwomen had come over to play in it.

When British women dress for squash racquets they do not wear shorts, like Americans, but pleated skirts or, rarely, trousers. There are other differences. British squash racquets courts are 2 1/2 ft. wider; the ball is more lively; games are to 9 points instead of 15; only the hander-out (server) scores points. Because squash racquets (not squash tennis, which is a U. S. invention and played nowhere else except in Cuba) is a family game in England, British women have played more, now play better than Americans. Practicing against men has taught them that the most effective shots are not necessarily the swiftest, that the spindling bat should be controlled not with the forearm, like a tennis racquet, but with the wrist.

In the round of eight at the Merion (Pa.) Cricket Club last week, four of the seven members of the British team were still in the draw. Next day, the only American left was Ruth Hall of Merion, runner-up for the title last year, winner in 1931. sister of J. Gilbert Hall, onetime 13th ranking U. S. lawn tennis player. Against Susan Noel, 20-year-old British champion who learned squash racquets from her father when she was so young she does not remember it. Miss Hall began with the fatal mistake of trying to outdrive her opponent. After losing the first game, 15-5. she tried playing soft shots in the corners, managed to win a game, 15-12, and make Miss Noel work for the next one, 18-15. Improving as she warmed up, Miss Noel ran out the next game and the match, 15-5. Next day she defeated her teammate, Cicely Fenwick, for the title, 15-8, 13-15, 15-10, 15-6.

P:In Detroit last week, Beekman Pool of New York retained the title he won from his brother J. Lawrence Pool a year ago by beating Neil Sullivan of Philadelphia in the final of the men's National Squash Racquets Championship, 18-17, 15-5, 12-15, 15-7.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.