WIESBADEN — Maureen (Little Mo) Connolly fired her practice salvos at Nerotal Tennis Courts and the blond champion from San Diego says she is ready for the Wiesbaden International tennis tournament that will get under way here today at 2 pm.
The U.S. and Wimbledon champ played two fast sets with the Nerotal pro, Heinz Haendler, winning the first, 7-5, and dropping the second, 6-3.
"Everything feels fine," said the 19-year-old net queen after her practice matches, "I'm rounding into shape now and in a day or two I'll really be in top form. I'll be ready for the tournament"
After the matches, Haendler called "Little Mo" the best woman he ever played against. "I had matches with Gussie Moran, Margaret Dupont and other big stars, but she is the best. She belongs in another class."
Other Americans slated to participate in the tourney are Barbara Bradley, Barbara Kimbrell, Andy Stern, Rodney Hammond and Bill Stucki.
Miss Connolly is top-seeded and will draw Inge Guderus, top German star, as her singles opponent. In the doubles she will team up with Barbara Kimbrell and in the mixed doubles her partner will be Stucki.
Miss Kimbrell will meet Germany's Marlis Pass in her singles match and Miss Bradley will play the winner of the Marlis Jencuel (Germany) — Audrey Blise (South Africa) match.
In the men's class, Hammond will meet Christian Biederlack, Germany; Stern will draw Germany's Ferdinand Henkel; and Stucki will play Erwin Blenk, Germany. These are all singles matches.
