The Pittsburgh Press (June 16, 1946)
U.S. tennis stars swamp British, win Wightman Cup
Americans take every match and set in post-war renewal of women’s classic
WIMBLEDON, England, June 15 (UP) – A suntanned band of American net stars handed Britain the most crushing defeat in Wightman Cup tennis history today.
The Americans swept every match and every set to score a 7-to-0 love victory in the post-war renewal of the international women’s classic.
Paced by two Californians, Pauline Betz and Margaret Osborne, the Americans literally than the British girls off their feet to capture the trophy for the 10th consecutive year and for the 14th time in the tournament’s history.
1923 victory repeated
The only previous shutout triumph was scored by the United States at Forest Hills, New York, in 1923 when the series was inaugurated.
During the two-day tournament, both Miss Betz and Miss Osbourne scored two singles victories and one doubles triumph.
After the Americans rolled up a 3-to-0 lead yesterday, Louise Brough of Beverly Hills, California, clinched the cup for the U.S. in today’s first match when she whipped Joan Curry in the closest match of the tournament, 8-6, 6-3.
British star beaten
Her teammates kept the straight set victory march going as Miss Osborne turned back Mrs. Jean Bostock, Britain’s No. 1 star, 6-1, 6-4; Miss Betz defeated Mrs. Kay Stammers Menzies, Britain’s pre-war best, 6-4, 6-4, and Misses Brough and Osborne routed Mrs. Bostock and Mrs. C. W. Halford in the final doubles match, 6-2, 6-1.
After the Bostock-Osborne match, the Duchess of Kent presented the cup to Mrs. Hazel Wightman, non-playing American captain.