New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
williams and Johnson Win Way
Into Semi-Final Round of
AII-ComerS' Singles.
LATTER DEFEATS STRACHAN
California Boy Makes Game
Fight, but Finally Bows in
Lawn Tennis Tour.
ney at Newport.

down the assault OF their young adver-
sarles, r Norris Williams, I'd, and Wal
lace F. Johnson won their way into the
ssmi-fnal round of the all-comers ma
,ional lawn tennis championship singles
here to-day on the turf courts of the
Casino. Williams defeated Watson NJ
Washburn. the young Harvard player who
distinguished himself earlier in the year
BY capturing the metropolitan title. in
straight sets The score was 6--l. 10.
s-3. Johnson turned a bad beginning
into what amounted TO a rout. eliminating
John r. Strachan. the California meteor
b. the score Of 2-6. e, e.. st.
Williams and johnson at every stage
DISPLAYED resourcefulness. Their victories
we're decisive in every way, and it is sig
rjfcant that as the four survivors are
drawn level in the semi-hnal round Of the
thrty-third annual struggle for the crown
and purple Of the courts that three OF
the Williams, Johnson and
Maurice L cLoughlin-represent the VIC
torious Davis CUP team Of this year.
In addition il is remarked that numer-
icany the trio stan6 at the top OF the
list in this country. Mclaughlin being No.
]. Williams No. and Johnson No 8 on
the list a substantial Endorsement Of
the work OF the national ranking commit
tee Nathaniel W Niles. the MasSachu-
sets State champion, is the other player
who has remained 10 the semi-final out Of
- g.T -
began last Monday morning. Niles couples
with Williams for the final round on Mon
day morning. while Mclaughlin and John
son will occupy the grandstand court az
that time In the other semi-hnal battle.
The interest to-day centred chiefly upon
Johnson II was an open question in the
minds Of many as to whether or not the
famous Pennsylvania player would be sue
cessful in standing of the assault OF
strachan. whose fast play has earned a
high place for him here in the estimation
Of the critics. Because OF the rain Of the
night which drenched the courts. despite
the protective tarpaulins. the conditions
we're thought 70 favor johnson. who gets
the most out Of his continuous chop
strokes upon a slow playing surface.
There was an hours delay before the
match was begun, however, and by that
tine the court had been groomed and
rolled until Il was fast enough TO suit the
sxacting taste OF the Californian. Mean
while the sun had assisted in the drying
cut process. breaking through the clouds
and bringing out the gallery in gala at
tire
Through carelessness Johnson brought
a broken racquet 70 the court. and it was
not until the match was begun that he
discovered the break in the strings. This
In a measure accounted for his unsatis-
factory performance in the first set. Once
he got into action with new bat. how
ever. Il was a different story. He held
strachan off from the net, repeatedly
tricked him with the shorter popover re-
turns and shot the ball past him when
the younger player made desperate at
tempts 70 get up 20 close range
When he really struck his gait johnson
surprised his admirers by uncovering a
service that was fairly confounding to
his opponent. The break OF the ball kept
the boy ever guessing. and IL is proof Of
NAlc tANSllfIIt OI tic brINAtc Ni4aA JOAlAA-
son finished up every set that he won by
taking the deciding game at love. In
fact the wind-up point of the match was
scored for the Pennsylvania on a ser
vice ace
In the four sets Johnson scored a total
Of l16 points, TO 20 for Strachan, and the
games tally stood at 20 to IA. respectively.
The thing that stood out boldly, however.
was the manner in which Johnson caused
the boy 10 bungle his returns
From his side OF the breastworks 6tra-
chan tried every known method OF check
ing his adversary. He lobbed, he drove
and came up 20 the net 10 volley. The
result was much the same. When he
got his racquet TO the ball It's treacherous
spin al too often resulted in his driving
out Of the court or into the net when ne
tried short returns.
Because Of this Strachan's outs and
nets soon engulfed him. The boy made
total Of 43 outs TO Johnson's 90. and on
nets his tally was 80 TO 80.
The one spot in which the youngster
shone with all the respondent vigor of
the Californian was at smashing. When
ever Johnson hit the ball up TO him or
loboed 50 the ball fell short, then Stra-
chan punctured the opposite court with
slam Of the variety that made McLough-
IN famous on his first appearance here
five years ago.
Peculiarly enough. Strachan favored the
California method OF bringing off a
smash. and not once in the many times
NAT he played the shot did he do so with
his feet on the ground. He went leaping
at the ball. body ard racquet crashing
INTO the impact with the force that left
Johnson no chance for return.
After the first set the match lost much
OF It's impetuosity, for Strachan began
10 respect the manner in which Johnson
regularly passed him and attempted 10
engage IN a driving duel from deep court
Johnson's deadly chop frustrated this.
There were prettily played rallies. hut
the boy always got the worst OF II.
Johnson led him at 81 on games in the
second set, and began the third and
fourth each with a straight run of four
games. 50 there was nothing unusually
Close about the match when once Jonn-
Son assumed command. George I. Adee,
Of the ranking committee. called the foot
faults on service. but neither OF the play
es fiagrantly offended.
The contest in which Williams defeat
go Washburn was chiefly remarkable FOR
tne manner in which the former holder
OF the national clay court championship
messed hrs opponent out Of position. The
match was not especially close. as the
games total stood at 10 20 0. with the
points at 90 to 75.
Williams did not really sail into the