New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-05
American Challenger for Eng
IiSh Lawn Tennis Title Beaten
by WiIding, the Holder,
at Wimbledon.
F0RTY-0NE GAMES NEEDED
Winner Helped by Experience
and Plays Best Game of
His Career-Opponent
"Superbly Fine and
Brave" He Says.
BY HERBERT l.. BOURKE,
Lawn tennis critic Of The Daily News and
Leader.
lBy Cable TO The Tribune. !

|
! Leader
IBy Cable to The TribuneI
: London, July 4.-You call him "the
California Comet" and we "McLough-
lin, the Magnificent" not that we want
! to spoil the boy. but in recognition OF
! the most impressive player in the worlI
and who will one day be absolutely the
best.
He struck super Wilding form to-day
and lost by Sc, 6-3, 1O-S, In three
glorious sets, II being touch and go In
the first and third in tho frst set
Mclaughlin led at to and : 20 4,
and wanted only stroke at 40-30 in
his service game.
In the second set WildIng dis
covered" the Californian by audacious
returns to his service. and in the third.
which consisted Of eighteen games. Nc
! Loughlin fought grandly. He was be-
| hind at two TO four, but led by eight
I TO seven and then stumbled and fell
while dashing UP to save the set by a
| final stroke.
A match between fine sportsmen II
was. A little luck and the American
would have won the first and third sets.
But Rildng was. oh, so much better
than ever before. taking all sorts OF
| chances
| The Californian's first service failed
him frequently. and he could not get
near enough for volley before WildIng
| planted the ball at his feet. and had
him scratching for his stroke.
American Wonderful in Defeat.
But for all this Mclaughlin was Won
| derful in his dour hghting qualities
and splendid work from a losing POSI-
ton. Steadiness at critical moments
might have saved him. but he went full
pelt for winners. and in the now his
toric third set. when the tension was
most acute. he was often just outside
the lines by the fraction Of an inch.
Il was an exaspersting but thrilling
match. Widing saying that he had TO
play the game of his life. and that the
American was superbly fine and brave.
; Wilding stood on the back line. taxi
ing the service splendidly and hitting
for the most part. not blocking. like
! Doust and the others. McLoughlin's
| smashing was brilliant and his low
driving superb, but Wilding. four
times champion. had the experience and
had studied the Americans game
minutely. even using a powerful feld
glass all through the Californian's pre-
vious work.
Loser Depressed After Match.
Mclaughlin was clearly disappointed
and depressed after the match. In which
the little luck necessary to ciinch the
first and third sets was denied him. |
asked him where he was beaten. and
he told me: We'll, can't say anything.
You must Judge for yourself"
| He later confessed that he was
| rather weak on mis- back hand strokes.
| put II TO him that he did not get near
enough to the net on his service. and
no suavely remarked: That was not
altogether Wildng's fault" implying
that his first service was not his best.
He added that Wildng played a great
game.
Harold II. Hackett. the captain OF
the American Davis Cup team, was
very sportsmanlik and said: 1T was
a great match, but Wilding played the
better game. getting teasingly on
| McI,oughlin's backhand. and had
the American champion In trouble
| thereby"
Mclaughlin had great praise for tho
| crowd. which he said was very fair.
7 interviewed many English experts.
who told me that Wilding has never
nlaved such a game In his whole life.
W,lding played 1872 strokes and Nc
Loughnn 13O. 1t was the finest game |
ever saw in all my years Of watching
| tennis exhibitions.
Commenting editorislly on tho lnwn
tennis championship match, The Daily
Express" says: 'Wilding gave tho
| British Empire. so to speak, leg up.
II was fine performance and a great
exhibition OF scientific lawn tennis. We
do not know whether to admire more
the indomitable resolution and electric
service Of the loser, who has given
wimbledon so many sensations. or the
imperturbabe GOODNESS and fine re-
source OF the winner.
Two great champions met and one
was beaten. Thus II must ever be,
since some one or some side must win
in any contest But honor Is certainly
satisfied. England. 1t is true. had no
| actual hand in the result. but Wilding
saved the empires reputation, and we
| are grateful to him."