New-York tribune., 1910-12-27
LONG FIGHT ON COURTS
A, S. Craqin Beats Clark After
Match of Fifty-three Games.
RECORD FOR INDOOR PLAY
Loser Five Times Within Point
of Winning, but Tires at
the End.

Hitting fne DAN fSf1 lot pi3CtNlcut oiio
passes Arthur s. Cragin won his place in
the sernf-final round Of the lawn tennis
singles. yesterday, on the indoor courts Of
the 9Th Regiment armory, esth street
and Park avenue He defeated Morris S.
Clark, of the Bronxvl1le Athlettc Assocla-
tion. 6-S. sc, 1sls
The hfty-three games were Of the most
Gruelling description. In the deciding set
Clark was five times and Cragin eight
times within a stroke OF victory. Upon
these occasions the rallies surpassed any
thing in the line of indoor lawn tennis that
has been PLAYED in this city They were
fast and sharply played. The speed and
power that the men put into the game were
tremendous aud leo TO their last set being
a record for indoor championship play
Never before has there been an 1S-le set.
The best previous record for a set in tour
nannent indoors was 14-12. which has twice
been scored during the indoor national
championship.
There was a fair gathering of the lawn
tennis followers about the board courts
during the morning, despite the fact that
the light was about as bad it could be
for indoor play. Several other matches
were on court and off before Clark and
Arthur Cragin began their contest During
the first part of the final set Clark was the
aggressor. lie carried off his service and
s1nderspinning twist with good effect Then
he turned his racket to a point winning
cross drive whenever he was pressed for
an ace Il was so good that Clark led al
64 on games and 1910, which was the
first time he was within a stroke of VIC
tory Cragin changed his pace and adroitiy
placed to deep court so that ne everted
1he danger ana brought the set TO games
all.
Clark had the advantage game for time,
ard was within point of winning before
the games touched at 1l-all- 1t was on the
tvventy-thirG game that the tide began to
turn toward Cragin. Forcing his service
shots through at a terrific pace and quickly
getting up 10 the net for slashinE re-
turn. he managed TO take the leading posi-
ton at FL on games for the first time
IN the match
From that on to the end both used all
the skill at their command The rapidity
of action was such that they were almost
at the fading point from exhaustion and
had to resort 10 some stimulation to keep
them going. They were dripping with per
spiration. while the spectators stood or sat
about bundled in coats and shivering-
-
His backhand shots lacked sting Fur
1lnerrnore, he could not place with any de-
gree of certainty. Cragin led him at 17-16
on games, and then went in for his own
service. Twice Clark was successful in
crossing so that he evened at So-all on
points against Cragin's drives that cut the
side lines. Then the end came Crasin
made pretty shot for placement, and fol-
lowed il with deep shot that Clark
could not get fairly. despite a fine attempt
Altogether. the match consumed two and
one-half hours of continuous play.
In the upper half OF the championship
singles King Smith also came out to the
semi-inal. defeating George A. Won der
Muhn, -s. 6-l, s-2. 1t required the first
set for Smith to get the range Of the court.
Once he did SO, his driving and voiley shots
easily surpassed Won der Muhll-
Smith also won in the Class A handicap
singles. as he defeated Harry a. Parker.
He had a mark of minus Is to Parker's
5,ius Is. the score being GO, 6-i. The real
match I'm Class A. however, that in
which Walter Merrill Hall, at minus So
holder OF the regimental title. defeated VAL
entine Treat, plus half 15, at 6+, g.. The
champion was at his best on his fcrehand
drives and his midcourt game. Whenever
Treat gave him half chance he used vol
ley strokes with unerring accuracy. Treat
tried 10 check this play by lobbing. The
ball fell short, however, so that Hall was
able 70 score in straight sets. The summary
follows:
Championship singles tseoond round)-King
smith defeated George A. Won der Nuhll. 4-6.
s-l. g; Arthur s. Cragin defeated Morris S.
Clark. 6-3, 4-6, Isle.
Championship doubles (semi-final round,-Waf-
ter Merrill Hall and William e Cragfn, jr.. de-
feated George A. Won der Muhn and Valentine
Treat. S-3. S-i
Class A handicap singles tfrst roundl-King
c>nith (rninus I5D defeated Harry A. Parker
tplus 15), g.. e.
Second round-walter Merrill Hall (nninus 30)
defeated Valentine Treat tplUs half 15). 6-4.
60; Arthur s Cragin (ninus 15l defeated
Qsosge A. Won der Muhll fminus half 1s, e-3
Class p handicap singles c1rst round)-Harry
l. FoIlett Cninus 3ot defeated f c. Noble minus
half l5). Go, Ga.
Second round--H- L. Naisawaid minus half 49,
defeated Robert Z. Larendon trinus 15l. 6-3,
5-5.