The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-08-31
WRIGHT
NOW THE
CHAMPION

To win the national tennis champion
ship. or 10 defend that honor successfully,
was the task before Beals c. Wright of
Boston and Holcombe Ward of Orange.
n. j.. when they came TO the Newport
casino today. Ward was the champion,
while Wright had fought his way through
the all-comers tournament. and thus had
won the privilege OF challenging the
holder.
Although there was heavy rainfall
during me night, the early hours OF the
day were bright, and II seemed probable
that the weather would continue fair.
There was a surprisingly good turf after
the rain had subsidized Today's event
was new experience for both men. Ward
won the al-comers tournament last year
and secured the championship through
the default OF II. l.. Doherty OF England.
who captured the title in 1903.
Wright reached the final round In lsOl'
but was put out OF the tournament oy
William A. Larned. who was awarded the
championship through the default OF NAL
colin ID. Whitman. The match today
therefore. was Wards first appearance as
national title defender and Wrights first
appearance as a challenger for that honor.
The great social colony Of Newport
turned out 10 watch the match together
with many guests from Narragansett
Pier jamestown. Providence and Boston
There was a little betting among the ex-
perts before play started. but II was
mostly at even money. Few were willing
10 express ad ecided opinion as 10 the
probable winner The match was set 10
begin at about II o'clock.
Play was started shortly after IL
o'clock, Wright serving. After ward
had taken the first two strokes on fine
place shots, Wright ran out the game
and then took the next two almost en-
tirely on Wards errors Both men were
sharp in their service. but Ward seemed
unable 70 get the balls back over the net.
After Ward had taken the fourth love
game, Wright ran out the set, TO j.
The last game was long drawn out, IA
points being scored
In the first set Wright scored eight
place shots TO SIX for Ward, and errors
two 70 one for Ward. Points follows:
Wright ............. 4 o 8 5-26-6
Ward ............... 2 2 6-l9-l
Wright continued his good work in the
second set and after the games were ! all
the Boston man brought IL up to games
10 l. Then Ward took game. but Wright
clinched the set games 10 2. The fourth
game In this set was the best one, Ward
seeming TO get his gait. He made many
form The points Of the second set:
Wright ........... 6 4 ] 4-3S-6
Ward .............4 s . 2 l-24-2
For FIVE games in the third set II looked
es If Wright would win easily. He placed
all around Ward and had the games To
2. The sixth game turned out to be good
one and although Wright won IL Ward
seemed TO be regaining his speed and fn-
ished very strongly. The champion won
the seventh game but Wright took the
eighth and with the set games 10 in
his favor the end seemed In sight
In the ninth game with Ward serving
Wright won the first two points and was
within two points OF the championship.
Then came a magnificent rally by Ward.
he winning that game and the next one
bringing the set TO deuce He then took
the eleventh. which gave him n lead In
set for the first time during the maj tch.
At this period excitement was intense.
Ward seemed to be invincible at the net.
while his returns were marvellous.
Wright made n beautiful rally In the
twelfth game and brought the set back
10 deuce.
The 18th game went to Ward. but IN
the fourteenth deuce was called again.
with the games seven all. Ward got the
advantage in the 18th and in the 18th
was within one point Of the set when
wrights brilliant cross court drives
brought the set back TO deuce. Then
Ward took the lead only TO lose Il once
more when within two points Of the set
ard match. The points in the third and
final set were:
Wright
I44411O4s212 8 +-s7-1l
Ward
41O24 4s5144 42444332-5- 3
The players were cheered heartily at
the conclusion Of the match.