Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-08-20
NATIONAL Tennis
TITLE IS Being
CONTESTED
newport Tournament Com
menced Yesterday - Nc
loughlin the Favorite

The Newport tournament, on the re-
suit OF which hangs the American
lawn tennis championship, opened yes
terday. Probably this years play on
the historic courts Is attracting more
attention than the battle of any for
mer season, owing to the fact that
the form forecasters have William A.
I.arned figured to fail In his attempt
1872. This Is the first year that the
new rule requiring the title-holder to
play through the tournament has been
In effect, and this, II is thought, will
be TO the old masters disadvantage.
Honolulu has a, special interest in
the tournament, owing to the entry
OF Maurice McLOighlin, who. because
OF mis- extended visits here with Davis
cup teams, is known and liked by all
the local racquet4wielders. Both Nc
Loughlin and Larned were here last
winter, and even then the talk OF a
meeting between them in the national
event was all absorbing
On the brink of the annual strug-
gle for the American championships
eastern players are willing to admit
that, this year, the green court hon.
ors In both singles and doubles will
assuredly go to California. McLough-
lin is picked to win the singles with
no great trouble, and there is no team
In the East which stands the slightest
chance OF successfully facing Nc
Loughlin and Bundy.
New Rule Wins. $3.50. 4 J.
The rules for the tournament at the
VA haxt nl1sff ion 1nd
this years tournaments. Persistent
agitation has succeeded in abolishing
the old order Of things under which
the champions stood out and waited
until the rival all comers had demon
strated the player.
So .Bills Larned, who has held the
premier title this many day, will /
We a .nlaK. thrniizh. wit III. rest OF
them IL he cares To hold his honors,
1t ID possible that Larned Wilt ~
down his racquet and the title sallQ|l
leave the youngsters TO fight Il sUut I
among themselves. although no word /
TO this effect has as yet reached the
mid Pacific.
But suppose Larned does play
through; granted that Ne could come
out OF the final tie In the top of con-
dition, has he anything on the Cali.
fornian? Mclaughlin has proved he
mas the speed OF the slower Eastern
courts, and IL Is questioned IL Larned,
again relying upon low ground
strokes, would be able TO get to- Nc
Loughlin this time. +
Changes Tricky. .s...,s.s
The transition from the hard courts
OF the pacific Coast, where the ball
bounds high. and speed, strength and
the agility of every stroke count for
more than the surface skill which de-
cided sets here, certainly puts heavy
on the Western players. But
they have worked II down by dashing,
steady, persistent play The laurels
won this season prove the
merit Of their mettle. 500
II victory goes to the Californians
the venue of the great games may
pass from the Newport Casino, IA
nous for its many great meetings. The
agitation in favor OF Chicago. as the
scene OF play will be given an ire
sistible impulse. And 1t does look
very much as IL the Californians are
going to have, not exactly a walkoyer,
but victory is almost assured from
the moment the players face one an
other.