New-York tribune., 1909-02-17
TOURNEY ON
CLARKE MEETS DEFEAT.
Mccormick Wins Spirited Match IN
First Round.

| The annual tournament for the amateur racquet
championship Of the United States began yesterday
on the court Of the New York Racquet and Tennis
Club, 4sd Of the four matches scheduled
only one was actually played. that in which Har-
old F. Mccormick, of Chicago. 5efeated GrenvlIIe
Clarke, Of the home club, e-15 15-l0 Is lS-lS
15-S- The other matches scheduled were all de-
cided by default.
Only last week Mccormick Won the gold racket
at Tuxedo. which made him pronounced favorite
over Clarke but the latter put up a stubborn de-
fence and made the Westerner work for every
point, save IN the fifth and decisive set, which went
to Mccormick rather easily.
The match itself was marked by keen and
tained rallies, clever volleying and vigorous ser
vice. On occasions when Mccormick appeared an
almost certain winner Clarke would show fash
OF old form and speedily even up matters McCor-
mick, however. account OF unsteadfness at
times, is not regarded by the critics likely TO
reach the final round.
In anticipation of q good series Of contests dig
crowd of club members and representatives from
the Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Tuxedo and
Canadian racquet clubs were hand, and keen
disappointment expressed when II
nounced that Robert K. Cassatt, OF Philadelphia,
had forfeited to George R Fearing. Of Boston.
This supplemented by the announcement that
". B. Dinsmore and Percy Haughton, of Boston,
would be non-competitors, thus giving Payne Whit
ney and u. P. johnson, the local racquet club rep
resentatives bIOodless victories
Mccormick made g poor start being unable &C
ourately 10 Judge the angles OF the court during
the mistake Of allowing his opponent TO play too
much from the back wall which IS Clarkes strong
point of play The placing Of the winner was
characteristic feature Of the latter part OF the
| game, while many Of his shots spIendidly
turned and excellently placed Clarke was bTIi-
liant and erratic in turn. He kept his opponent
the move all Of the time. but he failed in judging
during the critical period OF the game.
Clarke the toss and lost the service after
a single ace. Mccormick unable to do any
thing and the local player quickly secured q lead
OF four Mccormick showed fash Of his
true form by getting two aces, all service but
he was unable sustain his good work. Clarke
rapidly forged ahead. the score standing IA in
his favor. From this point Mccormick showed
gradual turns Of Improvement and added five aces
his score, but lost his hand a clever shot
by Clarke, which struck the wall few inches
above the telltale. Clarke placed requisite three
aces TO his credit misses By his opponent captur
7 ing the first set.
Clarke continued his good work in the second set
during the early part Of which he completely
wndered his opponent by his dazzling play, McCor-
mick In the time laboring hard to get the
hang OF the court. Clarke appeared TO be al
most certain winner of this set, securing ten
TO his opponents three. when the Chicago player
captured three aces and improved his position
With the score u to against him, Mccormick
carried his total to 13 before losing his hand on
a ceverly executed place by his opponent. The
New York player unable TO add to his score
and Mccormick came back with more point
and won the set on the next hand. after spIen-
did rally which both of the contestants showed
excellent form
Tho third found Mccormick at his best. HIS
Judgment excellent and in his second hand he
ran twelve aces in succession, Of which were
secured by placing Clarke made a feeble reply.
and Mccormick on two consecutive service balls
captured the game, putting him in the lead sets
TO l.
The fourth was easily the best Of the match.
It was ding-dong affair, and went to the New
York player after the score was 13-AlI. when Nc
citing rallies marked the set, which brought out
plucky uphill display by the local amateur. Al
though the Chicago man led by the score of 12-7
al one stage Of the set Clarke draw up
terms 18, and then away from his opponent.
during which time he played the back wall in per
feet style
The decisive set was a runaway affair, in which
Mccormick completely outclassed his opponent.
Clarke lost his head when he his opponent
going further and further away, and result
made poor shots.
Four games are scheduled for to-day, the com
petftors being W J. Feron, Chicago. vs. Lawrence
Waterbury. New York; Erskine Hewitt, New York.
vs. George H Brooks, Philadelphia; G.. c. Clarke.
tr-. New York. Hugh D. Scott, Of Boston. and
w. stsckpole, New York VS.. G. A. Thorne. Chi
cago.
The summary follows
SlsEs, Ss5s;m,si .-..........dd -.............d
by ssTyics-,IsTs 2IaGss s Mscormee Aces BY
naisses-Clarke &: Mccormick. 3
SECOND SET
G:ass.,,ck SFsEss IfS29 liz
3 ascae & Ress o Sss s
rnisses-C1arze &. Mccormick, 3
THIRD SET
e5:22. H:Gs:raiek .....:......66 ls
Aces by service-McCornick 8: Clarke / Aces by /
acknowledgements. Z. Aces by opponents nisses-Nc
Corrnick 8; Clarke
FOURTH SET
sisfss asass"isa ':'......S SS IA IA
placing Mccormick. q Clarke. <. by opponsnrs
russes-NcCormck. s. Clarke.
FIFTH SET
Sis-Se ~ .......o 0 O o Is
Aces by se-vtce-McCor-nick. by piacing-Afc-
cornnick s. Clarke Aces by opponents nisses-Mc-
corrnies 8: Clarke Rsteres.1a7grenes 7ystereury