The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-05
SPORTS
ARE IN POOR FORM
American Tennis Players Show Up
-. Poorly in Practice.
BRITISH CHAMPIONS CONFIDENT
Singles in the International Match
VIII be Played Tomorrow
and Thursday.

After some deliberation this after
noon the international lawn tennis com
mittee of the United States National
Lawn Tennis association has decided to
rearrange the program of the English
American competitions. The new sched-
ule as given out places the single matches
on Wednesday and Thursday with the
doubles match on Friday. -...
1t is rumored that this new arrange
ment of the matches pleases both the
Englishmen and the Americans, although
1T is said to have been made at the sug-
eestion of the latter. The Brittons be-
lieve that their men will hold to better
form by playing continuously in the sim
giles and not breaking up for the doubles
match between the two days of singles
AS for the Americans, the work OF Will
liam A. Larned is sorely disappointing
and 1t is said that he will be in better
form by keeping at the play for two un-
broken days. Then Dwight F. Davis Is re-
ported as not being in the best Of trim,
and an extra day of practice IS badly
needed by him.
All the players Of both teams were at
the turf courts of the Crescent A. c. at
Bay Ridge, N. Y, early yesterday for
practice. The Englishmen took the
courts in the morning and H. L. Doherty,
the champion Of all England, played some
very fast tennis against DR.. Joshua PIN,
the ex-champion. Then r. F. Doherty
went in the court as DR.. Pins opponent
and the pair kept the ball going at a live
ly rate until noon. DIR. PIN showed
great improvement over the work of the
previous day. His back hand strokes
were particularly good and he was as
nlmble as a squirrel in covering the court
and getting the hard returns the Dcher-
tvs sent to him. AS for the Doherty
brothers, their strokes were superb and
they appeared to be in condition to go on
the courts at once and play for the inter-
national challenge cup and the tennis
honors of the world.
William A. Larned and Malcolm D.
Whitman, the present and the former
holders Of the national title in the singles
went on the courts in the afternoon.
Larned was good on his back hand and on
his place shots, but he was away off in
taking the ball on low bounds from the
ground and on all his forehand strokes.
The trio of English experts sat watch
ing the play in company with Captain Col
Inns, the manager Of the team. They
appeared to think that Larned was the
weak end of the American team and that
he could be beaten in both of his competi-
tions. To Whitman they conceded VIC
tory in both Of his matches. 1t is figured
out by them that they will have tight
squeeze with Ward and Davis, but that
by steadiness they can capture the cup.
The lawn tennis committee Of the Cres-
cent Athletic club has had another stand
erected at the end of the field so as to ac-
commodate the crowd that has applied
for invitation tickets. The turf is being
kept in the best possible condition and in
the estimation of Captain Collins, the
manager of the English team it is prime
and has not blemish.
Play for Burton Cup.
Play for the Ward G. Burton tennis CUP
at the Minnetonka club will probably be
resumed next week. This contest was
postponed month ago on account of the
absence Of two Of the principal contest
ants, Harry Belden and Ralph Gillette, al
the tri-state tournament in Cincinnati
According to the present program, play
for the cup will be finished Saturday
Aug. 16, unles bad weather causes delay
In all probability a change will be made
in the rules governing the contest, so al
to allow eight instead of four players, tt
enter the round robin.