Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-31
EXPERT WITH rHE RACQUET.
Tournament Of the Southern Lawn Tennis
Association Opened.

Tournament OF the Southern Lawn Tennis
Association Opened.
Special Dispatch to The Evening star.
BALTIMORE, Nd, May 81, 1888.
Tho annual tournament Of the Southern
Lawn Tennis Association was begun yesterday
at Mt Washington under most favorable aus
pices. The dav was superbly beautiful, gentle
breeze blowing from the east, and the turf
courts, were in perfect condition. Added to
all this, large audience was gathered around
the courts including many ladies, who evil
denced their appreciation of good playing by
generous applause. This tournament will be
remembered as the most successful meeting
ever held by the association. In all there were
twenty entries in singles, the Washington players
numbering six, as follows: Davidson, Wood
ward, Metcalf, Mcpherson, Boag, Shields and
Geoghegan. Considering the fact that our
players have had less than two weeks practice
this year, their records in the contests yester-
day are most gratifying. Davidson especially
played in good form in two hard-earned
matches. the first with Medley Of Princeton,
Young collegian, who took the first set by o
score Of 11-9. Davidson, however, pulled away
the next two sets and the match-6-0, 6-3. Then
the Washington champion met Parker Of New
York, who gave him hard tussle in three
set match, which Davidson finally won-4-6,
GO, 81.
The contest Of the afternoon, however. which
excited most interest was that between Hobart
and Stevens. The former ranks as the third
among the first ten. The other contests were
deserted by the audience and the crowds gath
cred around court number one to witness the
skillful playing Of the two eastern cracks.
The first set was replete with remarkable raj
lies and hard smashes by both players. Hobart
x-A1A - A. Il ~
wherever he desired. His favorite play is to
drive the ball with terrific force down the side
and near the service line. Stevens plays q less
vigorous game, but Is most clever in making
almost impossible returns. He 10 not as active
as Hobart, nor does he drive the ball so forci-
judgment good. The first set required four
teen games to finish, it being finally won by
Hobart-6-6, g.
The second most interesting match was be-
tween Hobartand Post. the Baltimore champion.
Post, Of course, yielded the contest, being
talent to advantage at critical times and Sc
cured several well-earned points, especially in
back-hand returns.
The Washington players are now out Of the
race with the exception Of Davidson. Who will
play Geoghegan today and will probably meet
first ten players the result of this contest
may be easily predicted. although the Wash
ington champion will make Chacs play his
strongest game.
He has practiced very little this wear, and is
entirely out Of form. The match went to
Hobart, GO, 6-S.
In the consolation games Mcpherson and
woodward alone remain Of the Washington
players. Post is, Of course, looked upon as the
winner of this prize.
The finals in singles will be determined be-
tween Chace and Hobart, with the chances in
favor Of the latter, who will then play E. L.
Hall for the championship. As he has never
beaten Hall in q championship match, the cup
The doubles will be played today and the
tournament win probably end on Friday with
the championship match as the attractive
feature.
The scores up to date are as follows:
In the preliminary round Shields best Hink-
ley, 81, 81; Davidson beat Nealy, gil. so So
Metcalf beat Boag, 6-3, 60; Smith beat PEN
nington, GA, g.
First round-Chase beat Mcpherson, 6-3, 60;
Nelson beat Fisher, CO. Ga; Geoghegan beat
Shields, 63, 6-3; Miller beat Woodward, &C., 6-3;
Hobart beat Stevens, Sc, Ga; Post beat No
Lane by default.
Second round-Chase beat Mcpherson. 6-3,
90; Nelson beat Fisher, 6-3. 60; Geoghegan
beat Shields, 6-3; 6-3; Davidson beat Parker,
4-6, g., 81; Smith beat Metcalf, CO, Gil, 60;
Miller beat Woodward ,6-2,6-3 Hobart beat
Stevens, Sc, 60; Post beat McLane by default.
Third round-Chase beat Nelson, 60, 60, and
Hobart beat Post. 60, 6-3.
In the consolation games Post beat Brown by
default; Mcpherson beat Fisher, Sc, GO; PEN
nington beat Hinkley, 60, 1-6, 81. Mcpherson
beat Stevens by default and Woodward beat
Bogue, 6-3, 1913.