TennisForum.com - 1887 results

1887

January through June

Many thanks to Elegos Newmark and GeeTee for their contributions to this thread.

CR=Challenge Round. Under the challenge round system the previous year's winner, the holder of the title, "sat out" until the challenger won the final (often called the All-Comers Final).
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Notable: Lottie Dod goes undefeated for the season. Her singles titles are the Irish Chmps, Bath 9West of England), Manchester (North of England) and Wimbledon.

Blanche Bingley married George Hillyard on the 13th of July.
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2-9 May 1887 - Intercolonial Tournament (NSW Championship)
Association Grounds, Moore Park, Sydney (Grass)

R1 EM Mayne d Eliza Fitzgerald 6-3 6-1
R1 Shaw d Raleigh 6-2 6-4

SF Mayne d Shaw 6-2 1-6 6-3
SF Ellen Blaxland d Ada Rodd 7-5 6-2

FI Mayne d Blaxland 6-1 6-3

CR Mayne d Greene 6-4 6-4

Doubles

1R? Shaw/Mayne d Ada Rodd/Beatrice Metcalfe 6-1 6-2

SF Greene/Raleigh d Mayne/Shaw 6-2 7-5
SF Lil Scott/Zilla Scott d Eliza Fitzgerald/Ellen Blaxland 7-5 6-4

FI Scott/Scott d Greene/Raleigh 3-6 6-4 6-3

Mixed Doubles

1R Scott/Charles Cropper d Raleigh/Edward A Merewether 6-4 6-4
Rest byes?

QF Greene/Dudley Webb d Beatrice Metcalfe/E.W. Wallington 6-0 6-4
QF Mayne/H.W. Bartram d Scott/Clive Smith 6-2 6-1
QF Rodd/C.T. Metcalfe d Shaw/A.W. Allen 6-1 6-3
QF Fitzgerald/R.D. Fitzgerald d Scott/Charles Cropper 6-2 6-8 8-6

SF Fitzgerald/Fitzgerald d Rodd/Metcalfe 6-4 6-0
SF Greene/Webb d Mayne/Bartram 3-6 6-4 6-1

FI Greene/Webb d Fitzgerald/Fitzgerald 6-4 6-2

"Mayne's steady placing and accurate judgement, combined with great determination, proved too much for the brilliant cutting of her rival."

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May 23-28, Irish Championships, Dublin, Ireland (Grass)
Venue: Fitzwilliam Square

Draw=8

1R: Lottie Dod d. Miss McClintock 6-1 6-3
1R: Louisa Martin d. Miss Exham 6-1 6-2
1R: Maud Watson d. Connie Butler 6-1 6-2
1R: Lilian Watson d. Florence Stanuell 6-2 3-6 6-4

SF: Lottie Dod d. Louisa Martin 6-3 6-0
SF: Maud Watson d. Lilian Watson 6-2 6-5

FI: Lottie Dod (GB) d. Maud Watson (GB) 6-4 6-3

DF: Louisa Martin/Florence Stanuell d. Lilian Watson (GB)/Maud Watson (GB)4-6 6-4 6-4

Mixed Doubles

QF: Lottie Dod (GB)/Ernest Renshaw (GB) d. Louisa Martin/Willoughby Hamilton 6-3 7-5

FI: Lottie Dod (GB)/Ernest Renshaw (GB) d. Maud Watson (GB) /Harry Grove 8-6 5-7 6-1 6-3

This year this tournament probably marked Lottie Dod’s first appearance in tournament play outside of England.

From the “Irish Times”, 26 May 1887 (originally posted by Mark)

“Judging by the exceptionally brilliant form shown by Miss Martin in all her practice matches this season, those best able to form an opinion looked forward to her, if not winning the ladies’ singles right out, certainly getting into the final round, but her match with Miss Dod ended in an easy win for the English lady, Miss Martin getting but three games in the match. It cannot be denied that Miss Martin does not play up to her true form in public and several of her strokes were much affected by her nervousness, which was a noticeable feature throughout her game. Miss Dod, on the other hand, was as cool as possible, and the sureness and severity of her strokes frequently brought forth rounds of applause. The winner has improved vastly since last year, especially in her backhand stroke, which, though not severe, is nevertheless a very telling one. Miss Martin took the first two games, but from that to the finish she got only one more game. Miss Dod took the third, fourth and fifth games to 15, 30 and 30, her opponent taking the sixth game to deuce, when three games won by Miss Dod to 30, deuce and 15, won her the set. The second set was won to love. The first two games were close enough, being won to deuce; but in the last four games the winner only lost three strokes.”

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May 30-June 4, West of England Championships, Bath, Somerset, England (Grass)

FI: Lottie Dod d. Maud Watson 7-5 6-4

DF: Ann Dod/Lottie Dod d. Lilian Watson/Maud Watson 10-8 6-3

MX: Lottie Dod/James Dwight (US) d. Margaret Bracewell/William Renshaw 6-4 4-6 6-1

In the final Maud Watson led 5-4, 40-15 in the first set, and 4-2 in the second set. Again, Lottie Dod proved her downfall in all 3 events.

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June 1-4, Whitehouse, Edinburgh, Scotland (Grass)

FI: M. Boulton d. Miss Meikle 6-0 6-1

CR: M. Boulton d. Jane Meikle (holder) walkover

DF: D. Boulton/M. Boulton d. A. Forest/Miss Meikle 1-6 6-4 6-3

MX: D Boutlon/John Galbraith Horn d. M. Boulton/RM Watson 6-2 3-6 12-10
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June 6-11, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England (Grass)

SF: Louisa Martin d. Florence Stanuell 6-4 6-4
SF: Maud Watson d. Margaret Bracewell 6-4 6-0

FI: Louisa Martin d. Maud Watson 6-4 5-7 6-2

DF: Lilian Watson/Maud Watson d. Louisa Martin/Florence Stanuell 6-4 6-1

MX: Maud Watson/John Deykin d. Margaret Bracewell/James Dwight (US) 6-4 6-3

In the final Martin had a match point in the second set. She fails to convert, but goes on to win in 3 sets.

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June 6-11, Scottish Championships, Edinburgh, Scotland (Grass)

CR: Connie Butler d. M. Boulton (holder) 6-2 6-2 3-6 8-6

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June 13-18, London Championships, Stamford Bridge, London, England (Grass)

FI: B. James d. May Jacks 7-5 6-3

CR: Blanche Bingley (holder) d. B. James 6-4 6-3

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June 13-17, Welsh Championships, Penarth, Wales (Grass)

SF: Maud Watson d. Lilian Watson 4-6 6-4 6-3
SF: Beatrice Langrishe d. Miss Cockshott 6-0 6-1

FI: Maud Watson d. Beatrice Langrishe 6-3 6-3

MX: Lilian Waston/James Baldwin d. Maud Watson/Ernest Renshaw 3-6 6-2 6-1

* This year a Challenge Cup was offered for the women’s singles event at this tournament for the first time. Maud "agreed to owe 15"-meaning she started every game at 0-15. Beatrice was popularly known as "Bee", and is sometimes listed in sources under that name.
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June 20-25, Northern Tournament, Manchester, England (Grass)

QF: Lottie Dod d Louise Martin (Ire) 6-0 6-2

SF: Lottie Dod d May Langrishe 6-1 6-2

FI: Lottie Dod d. Margaret Bracewell 6-2 6-2

CR: Lottie Dod d. Maud Watson (holder) 6-1 6-2

DF: Ann Dod/Lottie Dod d. Louisa Martin/Florence Stanuell 6-4 2-6 6-3

MX: Louisa Martin/Tom S. Campion d. Lottie Dod/Harry Grove 8-6 6-3

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June 20-25, Beckenham, Kent, England (Grass)

MX: Miss Barlow/Harry Barlow d. May Jacks/HC Yockney 7-5 4-6 6-1

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June 28-July 2, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands, England (Grass)

FI: Margaret Bracewell d. Miss Mardall 6-0 4-6 7-5

DF: Margaret Bracewell/F. Mardall d. Bertha Steedman/Mary Steedman 6-4 7-5

MX: Margaret Bracewell/John Deykin d. Bertha Steedman/PB Brown 6-4 11-9

This year the women’s singles event at this tournament was "handicap" only.

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Unknown date, New Zealand Championships

FI Miss Lance won

Unknown Date, Ealing Lawn Tennis Tournament

FI Charlotte Cooper won

Unknown date, Natal Championships

FI M. Grant d. B. Grant 6-4 6-3

July through December

CR=Challenge Round. Under the challenge round system the previous year's winner, the holder of the title, "sat out" until the challenger won the final (often called the All-Comers Final).

July 2-7, The Championships, Wimbledon, London, England (Grass)

Draw=5

1R: Lottie Dod -bye
1R: B James d. Maud Shackle 8-6 6-2
1R: Edith Cole -bye
1R: J Shackle -bye

SF: Dod d. James 6-1 6-1
SF: Cole d. J Shackle 6-4 6-1

FI: Lottie Dod d. Edith Cole 6-2 6-3

CR Lottie Dod d. Blanche Bingley (holder) 6-2 6-0

Lottie Dod "The Little Winder" is the first real teenage prodigy of tennis. She wins on her debut at Wimbledon. She was 15 years and 10 months old at the time and is still the youngest ever winner of a senior singles title at Wimbledon. Miss Dod is the only woman in tennis history never to lose in grand slam, going unbeaten in her 5 Wimbledons. Some ladies feel the young girl has an unfair advantage over them. Older women must wear more restrictive clothes, while young Lottie can dash about in shorter skirts.

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July 11-14, Leamington, Warwickshire, England (Grass)

MX: Margaret Bracewell/James Dwight (US) d. Mrs Hornby/AD Annesley 6-4 4-6 6-0

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July 14-16, Leicester, Leicestershire, England (Grass)

FI: Margaret Bracewell d. E Noon 6-4 6-2

MX: Margaret Bracewell/Ernest Lewis d. Miss Noon/CP Brett 6-1 6-1
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July 18-23, Middlesex Championships, Chiswick Park, London, England (Grass)

FI: D Patterson d. Edith Gurney 6-0 4-6 7-5

DF: Miss Gray/L Patterson d. May Jacks/B James 6-4 6-1

MX: Blanche Hillyard/George Hillyard d. May Jacks 6-1 6-0

A Challenge Cup was offered for the women’s singles event at this tournament for the first time this year. This meant that there would be a Challenge Round in succeeding years.

* Hillyard is the married name of Blanche Bingley. She had married George Hillyard on 13 July of this year.

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July 25-30, Derbyshire Championships, Buxton, Derbyshire, England (Grass)

1R: Bertha Steedman d. L Hill 6-1 6-2
1R: Margaret Bracewell d. Mary Steedman 6-2 6-1
1R: May Langrishe d. Beatrice Wood 6-1 6-2
1R: Beatrice Langrishe d. E Steedman 6-3 6-5

SF: Bertha Steedman d. Beatrice (Bee) Langrishe 6-4 6-3
SF: May Langrishe d. Margaret Bracewell 6-5 6-1

FI: May Langrishe d. Bertha Steedman 6-3 6-4

Doubles

1R: M Crossley/Beatrice Wood-bye
1R: G Bracewell/Margaret Bracewell d. KL Hall/Mrs Rentoul 6-1 6-4
1R: Lottie Dod/May Langrishe d. E Steedman/Mrs Steedman 6-0 6-1

SF: G Bracewell/Margaret Bracewell d. Miss Crossley/Beatrice Wood 6-3 3-6 6-3
SF: Lottie Dod/May Langrishe d. Bertha Steedman/Mary Steedman 6-5 6-1

FI: Lottie Dod/May Langrishe d. G Bracewell/Margaret Bracewell 6-1 6-2

Mixed Doubles

QF: Mary Steedman/FA Clarke d. G Bracewell/A Thompson 6-0 6-4
QF: Lottie Dod/James Dwight (US) d. E Samuel/W Crewden 6-0 6-0
QF: Margaret Bracewell/Tom Campion d. Miss Exham/A Betham 6-3 6-1
QF: May Langrishe/William D Hamilton d. Bertha Steedman/TR Grey 6-1 6-4

SF: Dod/Dwight d. M Bracewell/Campion 3-6 6-3 7-5
SF: Langrishe/Hamilton d. M Steedman/Clarke 6-3 6-4

FI: Lottie Dod/James Dwight (US) d. May Langrishe/William D. Hamilton 6-4 4-6 6-2

*The doubles at Buxton was also the All-England Ladies Doubles

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July 27-30, Newcastle, Northumberland, England (Grass)

FI: Connie Butler d. Ann Dod 4-6 6-2 8-6

MX: Helen Jackson/JC Kay d. Miss Bradshaw/William H. Wilberforce 6-1 5-7 7-5
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August 1-6, Exmouth, Devon, England (Grass)

FI: Blanche Hillyard d. Maud Watson 6-4 6-4

MX: Miss Noon/James Baldwin d. Blanche Hillyard/George Hillyard 6-4 2-6 6-4

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August 8-13, Teignmouth, Devon, England (Grass)

MX: Maud Watson/Ernest Lewis d. Beatrice Langrishe/Wilfred Milne 6-2 6-0
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August 15-20, Torquay, Devon, England (Grass)

FI: Blanche Hillyard d. Maud Watson 4-6 6-2 6-3

MX: Maud Watson/Ernest Lewis d. Miss Tickell/Wilfred Milne 6-0 6-2

The last tie Watson met Hillyard, the series ending at 7-3 in Watson's favor.
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August 16-24, Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland (Grass)

CR: Ann Dod (holder) d. L. Paterson 6-2 6-4

DF: Ann Dod/L. Paterson d. Miss Meikle/L. Murray 6-3, 6-2

MX: Ann Dod/RM Watson d. L Paterson/BH Smith 6-2 6-1

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August 22-27, Scarborough, Yorkshire England (Grass)

FI Ann Dod d. Beatrice Wood 6-2 6-1

CR: Margaret Bracewell (holder) d. Ann Dod 6-0 6-1

DCR: Bertha Steedman/Mary Steedman d. Margaret Bracewell/F. Mardall (holders) 5-7 6-1 6-2

MXCR: Margaret Bracewell/Harry Grove (holders) d. Mary Steedman/F Bradbury 6-2 4-6 6-2

* This year there was a Challenge Round in all of the main events at this tournament. Perhaps Scarborough already carries the title North of England Chmps.
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Aug 29-Sept 6, South of England Championships, Eastbourne, East Sussex, England (Grass)
Venue: Devonshire Park

FI: Blanche Hillyard d. Mrs CJ Smith 6-2 6-1

CR: Margaret Bracewell (holder) d. Blanche Hillyard 6-4 6-2

DF: Edith Gurney/Blanche Hillyard d. Margaret Bracewell/F Mardall 6-2 6-4

MX: Margaret Bracewell/Ernest Lewis d. Miss Mocatta/Harry Stone 6-0 6-2
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September 27-30, US National Championships , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA (Grass)
Venue: Philadelphia Cricket Club

Draw=7

1R Ellen Hansell d. Jessie Harding 6-1 6-0
1R Helen Day Harris d. Louise Allerdice 6-3 6-5
1R Laura Knight d. Ruth Cott 6-0 6-3
1R Alice Janney bye

SF Hansell d. Harris 2-6 6-4 6-4
SF Knight d. Janney 6-0 6-1

FI Ellen Hansell d Laura Knight 6-1 6-0

Bertha Townsend was unable to play due to a death in her family.
*Note on Hansell-Harris semi: a different source has score 1-6 6-4 6-4-check the Philly Inquirer

* This was the inaugural women’s singles event at the US Championships. The men’s and women’s singles event were played at different venues in the early years. This is the complete draw for the women’s singles.
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Circa October 5-10, Ladies’ Outdoor Tournament, Livingston, [?], USA (Grass?)

FI: Adeline Robinson d. Mrs A Harris 6-0 6-1

DF: Adeline Robinson/Kitty Smith d. Mrs F Morgan/Miss Ward 6-2 6-2

According to the New York Times "A large and enthuisiastic throng was present."

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October 13-15, Far and Near Lawn Tennis Club, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, USA (Grass)

FI: Adeline Robinson d. Ellen Roosevelt 6-0 6-4
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October 21-26, Victorian Championships, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Grass)
Melbourne Cricket Club

SF: Eliza Fitzgerald d Miss Gincham 6-5 6-4
SF: Mabel Shaw d Nellie A' Beckett 6-5 6-1

FI: Mabel Shaw d. Eliza Fitzgerald 6-2 6-3

DF: Mabel Shaw/Phenie Shaw d. Nellie A’Beckett/Miss Fitzgerald ????

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December 22-24 New Zealand Championships, Christchurch, New Zealand (Grass)
Venue: Lancaster Park

Draw=8

1R: Eveleen Harman d Miss Temple 6-3 6-2
1R: E Gordon d Mrs George 6-3 5-6 6-0
1R: Hilda Hitchings d Miss Campbell 4-6 6-3 6-3
1R: Ruth Orbell d Miss Orbell default

SF: Harman d Gordon 4-6 6-5 6-4
SF: Hitchings d R Orbell 6-4 6-5

FI: Eveleen Harman d. Ruth Orbell 6-4 7-9 6-1

Doubles (Draw=3)

1R: Miss Orbell/Ruth Orbell d Miss Campbell/Mrs George 4-6 6-4 6-1
1R: E Gordon/Eveleen Harman-bye

FI: E Gordon/Eveleen Harman d. Miss Orbell/Ruth Orbell 6-3 6-1

Note the newspapers confusingly also called the event "the Interprovincial" matches or tournament. According to the Otago Witness the format was for sets to end once someone obtained 6 games except for the final, where a player had to win a set by two games. Though contested in 1887, this event is often listed as 1887/88 or 1888.