The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-09-10
Nat Thornton, Holder o.
Several Championships
Displays A Glass Of Playing
Never Before EqualIed
On A Local Tennis
Court

DR.. Nat Thornton Of Atlanta, Ca,
holder of the South Atlantic, Old Do
minion and Ohio doubles champion
ships, defeated Rodney Morrison Jr.,
in tennis at the Round Hill court Fri
day morning in straight sets, by the
scores 60, 6-1 and 81.
DIR. Thornton, who was runner-up
in singles in the Ohio state tourney
at Cleveland last summer and cham
pion in doubles with Frank Marty
formerly of Kenyon. has been visiting
DIR. Walton OF Gambler, O., for the
past several days before going to this
years tournament which opens at
Cleveland next Monday. II was
through Dr. Walton that the match
was arranged and this was done SO
hurriedly that only small crowd
could be gathered to witness the best
play ever put forth on local courts.
DR.. Thornton started out by captur.
ing the first Two games with love"
score. His service bothered Morrison
who had difficulty In connecting with
1t. The fact that Morrison has not
been up against an exceptionally
good player for several years was
very much against him as he exper.
fenced trouble in getting back into
his old-time form. After the first two
games, Morrison's play improved per.
ceptibly but he did not succeed in
capturing even one game In this set
The score by points follows
Thornton a 4 4 g 4-25
Morrison % o 2 3 o it
In the second SGT, Morrison made
things hotter for his adversary and
succeeded In carrying three games to
deuce" lie lost the set by "A 6.i
score. Score by points:
Thornton 4 4 LAG 7--3i
Morrison % 2 0 4 2 4 $50
After winning one game out OF
three in the third set, Morrison took
the lead winning three straight
games. II looked for u while as II
the set would be carried to deuce
but all hopes Of Morrisons support.
ers disappeared when Thornton won
the next three games. Morrison play
cd better In this set than he ever has
before, on local courts, aud In two of
tho games vcritably swept Thornton
on his feet. His service was work
Ing well and his long drives kept the
southern player well toward the back
OF the court no that Morrison was
able to get to the net and dispose OF
returns In easy fashion.
Score by points:
Thornton 4 d 3 0Ot7 80
Morrison---4 2 4 t4i 8 l-3O
II will be seen from this that the
point score was even.
DR.. Thornton played beautiful
game. His service was under perfect
control and nearly approached the
ideal. He served both balls Just as
hard and placed them exceptionally
well. His strong point lay In his ne,
playing. lie displayed wonderful
powers OF placing .. tins point anC
kept Morrison running CONSTANT,
from one side OF The back court Il
the other.
DIR. Thornton has ranked among tn,
twenty best players OF the countr,
for many years. but retired from tour
nament play up until last year wher
he made such good record In the
Ohio state tourney. There he wal
defeated by Fred Harris OF Dart
mouth. the present champion, only al
ter each had scored two sets and thu
play had been postponed until thu
morrow, There are only several play
ers at this years tournament who will
be able 10 make him 10 at all and h'
has even chances Of wining.
DR. Thornton. accompanied by IN
Walton. drove up 10 Mansheld thi
afternoon and will play at the Wea,
brook club tomorrow with Rodne.