Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-20

is made deserved one and luck is largely OBJ
liberated. The losers cannot feel that had they
been in better condition when they were beaten
the result of the entire tournament would have
been changed, and it seldom, if ever, happens
that the champion has met defeat in a majority
Of his sets with any of the tail-enders
great deal of surprise was excited at the
high stand taken in this years contest by young
Malcolm Chace. who tied with Hobart for Sec
ond honors. and the poor showing made by
Hoyey created much comment by admirers Of
his usually brilliant play. The general impress
sion seemed to be that Mr. Edward Hall fully
deserved his victory, although his great popu-
larity made his success desired one from the
start. The winner of the all-comers at New
port isusually one who has taken high stand
at Nahant, and the knowing ones predict q
sure although not easy victory for Mr.. Hall
In early September. This. il seems to me. il a
most ENTHUSIASTICALLY prophecy. for with the ex-
ception of Mr.. Hail none of the contestants at
Nahant appeared to be in anything like cham
pionship form. In fact all the sets. even the
closest, were extremely slow. Mr. Halls
triumph was largely due to his imperturbable
nerve and his accurate placing. Mr.. Hobart
was the only other player who compared with
him in this latter respect As rule the rallies
were short and infregnent. the point being de-
cided by drive out Of court or into the net.
this was somewhat due to the great skill of the
players in choosing the best position to meet
the return of the ball. but instances were many
where comparatively easy return was sent
back directly to the adversary instead of at a
most visible opening to the right or left
THE FINE PLAY OF MR.. HALL
Mr.. Halls play is well known in Washington,
where he won the championship of the south.
but his style has been much modified and i'm
proved since his appearance there. He now
avoids all manner of cuts, catching the ball
squarely in the middle of his racquet and SEEM
ing to give it parting push it leaves his con-
troll MIR. Halls personal appearance is not I'M
like that of Mr.. McCawley. once the champion
Of the District of Columbia. and there is a
marked similarity in their styles Of play. On
the other hand, young Chaco is liable to cut,
curve and slash the ball any way when he hits
it, and as he gathers himself for an effort. he
looks as if he were about to fall apart. He is a
long, lanky youth, with a choice head Of tan
colored hair, and although he is really an ex-
cellent player. ii will be some time before added
experience and nerve entitle him to be men,
toned in connection with championship honors.
Mr.. Hobart. who won last years ali-comers
seems to have deteriorated in his play, or. per-
haps, his rivals have greatly improved. He had
no difficulty in defeating Messrs. P. s. Sears
Hubbard. Shaw. Chase and Hovey, but he was
considered lucky in breaking even with Hall and
Chace. Hovey played far away from his posi-
bilities throughout the tournament. He (Mr.
Hovey) seemed to be nervous and excitable in
all his matches, and in place of his usual ac-
curate ground strokes and smashes he mani
Tested a strong disposition to return his balls
under the net or through attic skylights. Be
1t understood that these criticisms are compare
tive. for l am afraid that any of the eight
players at Nahant would have little difficulty in
disposing of the brightest of the southern tennis
stars. With the exception of Mr.. Hall, how
ever. their work seems weak by contrast with
the brilliancy Of Mr.. Stevens of Columbia in
recent tournaments, while Mr.. Slocum is not
yet in practice, and Messrs. Knapp and Hunt
ington are, like Brer Rabbit, .'layin' low
Prophecies in tennis are like those of the
weather bureau and the base ball iend, for the
unexpected is that which Is most likely to hap
pen. However, it seems safe to assert that
those who promise the best results at the twelfth
annual tournament of the United States Ma
tional Lawn Tennis Association, to be held
August %. are Messrs. E. L. Hall, Richard
Stevens, Percy Knapp and H. W. Slocum. Why
do not some Of the Washington enthusiasts
enter this tournament and acquire experience
by meeting the best players in the country
X W &