New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-16

repeat the victory to-day. Hovey's work was iuIi
. OF alternating brillidncy and weakness, with tho
weakness coming at the most critical times lie
seems unable 20 take advantage of any lead ne
may have won, while Wrenn Is player of exactly
the opposite kind. following up skfulIy whatever
. advantage he may have gained Since the Long
wood tournament Hovcy has Lcen putting In
needed practice with some Of the stronger OF the
Boston cracks This much may be said for him;
when the mood is on he is what might be called
tennis genius but If challenged on an of day
his chances Of victory appear extremely doubtful
The man whom most OF the players stand I'm awe
of just now is William \. Larnod. of Summit
y j., who Is among tho strongest favorites for the
all-comers' prize Larned has played in only one
tournament this side of the water this season
Early i'm May he went abroad to compete I'm some
of the prominent English tennis contests, return
ing only just in time to take part i'm the invitation
tourna men; at Norwood Park two weeks ago
That tournament. coming II does soon be-
fore the National championship. has grown to be
regarded of the best gauges of the relative
merits of the players This year. with the excep-
ton Of Hovey. ali who reckoned possible
winners next week there The standing which
1t established. however, though indicative Of the
final result. should not be too closely relied upon.
larncd made brilliant showing. defeating
Wrenn twice and outpldying the eX-champiOn at
every turn. Iarnrd's game was a. near perfect as
it is possible to attain It's strength lay chiefly in
his magnificent ground strokes and his wonderful
skin IN passing. He is ACKNOWLEDGED TO be one of
the quickest net players on the courts to-day and his
SPLENDID physique. combined with amost perfect
Judgment. has brought him into the front rank OF
American experts Larncd is an extremely grace
ful player. and embodcs all that Is contained i'm
the term good form" His friends are confident
that he will capture the all-comers' against the
iield, and no one would be surprised If such should
he inc case As Iarncd has twice proved his su-
whom Wrcnn has beaten. If the TWO should meet,
hut the championship match is too far off to make
Another player who has shorldcrcd his way into
Chicago Ncc holds the championship of the
Western States: which he captured some time ago
pon. Together with his brother s y. Necl. he
also enjoys the title Of champion of the West in
son at Newport. as the result OF his overwhelm
made record which places him in the front rank Of
american PLAYERS, ana makes him dangerous
strueele for championship honors. At Norwood
Park Neel defeated l.arncd in straight sets. and
the latter's magnificent lobbing that Wrenn es-
capped defeat. That style of defence Neel seems
able To oppos, it IT il probable that day would
have been saved for him also This fact brings out
should he be ptted against Ncel again at Newport
Necl ought to make crediablc fight next week
provided he is in good condition.
Richard stevens is another PLAYER who IS en-
titled 10 careful consideration. although he has
never proved "A formidabc candidate for leading
hOnors Stevens. like iovcy. is "A veteran who has
His game has been CHARACTERISTIC one from the
beginning of his tennis career with him. every
beng that the most formidable net player can be
forced back If only his drives be delivered
with sufficient accuracy. He has perfected his
game i'm accordance with this idea to degree
that has made him the most famous base-linc ex
pert i'm the country. II has never proved effective.
however, against the leading cracks and II Is
hardly possible that he will get beyond the semi
finals next week
l.. f. Fischer. of New York. Is still another
who deserves mention or an unusually clever
record this season. Two )f the most famous play
OF the East have su'cumbed to his powerful
strokes. besides several others of less note In tho
West Side clubs tournament. in NeW-York Fischer
maintained his supremacy over Clarence Hobart in
a brilliant match which developed close work
both sides a little later he again victorious
over chace in the championship match of the Tux
edo contests. He also the Buffalo challenge
cup besides several other trophies. Fischer chief
fault is his inability hold himself within bounds
His driving and net game very strong. but too
crratic to make him a safe player. Another season
but yet his form is too crude to make him more
than a creditabe opponent to the haf-dozcn or so
around whom the real stru ygle centres
Clarence Hobart has declared himself out of tho
race in singles This IS 20 be regretted. Hobart
though not the Hobart of old. is still a brilliant
player and capable of making credit bic fight for
place II il also extremely doubtful whether
hand to defend his doubles championship with
Wrenn. and may decide TO go in.
As for the other player who will gather on the
courts. much could be said. Some of them on.y
little below winning form and able to give n good
account of themselves even against the cracks
Whitman. Leo f. Ware. James Terry. J. f. Parc
J. F. Talmage. jr.. w. VI. Scudder and a o.
lesser stars. who more 70: the practice than FOR
any hope OF winning.