New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-30
BEHR DEFEATS
TOUCHARD and
WINS A TITLE
Captures Middle States
Lawn Tennis Cham
pionship.
WINNER PLAYS FAST
AND ACCURATE GAME
Seemed Equally Strong from the
Base Line or After Gaining
Place at the Net.

Kari II. Bchr wrested the title Of
Middle States champion from Gustsye
r Touchard Yesterday on the turf
courts OF the Orange Lawn Tennis
Club in the challenge round Of the an
nual open lawn tennis tournament By
three sets TO one, at 8 6, GO, ~
6 ..
In the first part of the opening SCI
Touchard started with great speed.
Keeling of the points like a champion
until he had gained a lead of fout
cames 10 one. From then on, however.
Behr. playing with confidence an
dash that carried all before him. crcpt
M on his opponent and, after bringing
the score 10 Gall. took Touchards
service in the thirteenth game and, on
clever placement, then won the four
teenth and the set, aided by two nets
on the part Of his opponent.
Touchard. whether winning or losing,
always appeals to the gallery. There
is a certain dizziness in his strokes,
certain grace with which he moves on
winged feet about his court, that enlists
the enthusiasm of the onlookers, even
il he is playing losing game. Ana
so it was yesterday. -.
I'pon the few occasions when he dlo
make a stand against the attack OF the
challenger the champion executed
amazing shots, and he did - with an
ease and an apparent listlessncss that
could not but draw forth EXPLANATIONS
of establishment from those who
watched.
But this seeming listlessness is a de-
ception with Touchard. When his at
titude is most unconcerned he is likely
- L. r Is-s11 oh
leave his opponent laundering about
his court in vain effort to return the
ball
Once or twice yesterday TouchsrG
performed in such a manner, but II
was rarely, and served only to bring
into stronger relief the weakness Of
the champions general play.
These who watched the title holder
being swept down to defeat remarked
on the difference between his game
then and in other days. when stroke,
eye and speed were working in happy
unison. He seemed only the she'll o.
the real Touchard.
Behr's lawn tennis was always spec
tacular, whether he played from his
base line or from close 70 the net.
Taking the first three games of the
second set, he dropped the fourth, won
the fifth and sixth. lost the seventh
ard then won the eighth and Last.
In this set the challenger was at his
best. He caught Touchard often out
Of position with brilliantly placed chop
strokes on either side of the court.
and also scored on backhand passing
drives as the champion rushed to the
net.
With two sets to none against him.
Touchard seemed to realize he must
bestir himself if he was to retain his
title. and began the third set by TAX
ing the first two games through the
wi2ardry of his 'cross-court play. Behr
locked slow in comparison at this
point.
The games alternated thereafter
with Behr finally gaining the lead a.
games TO 8. but then the champion
again began s brief period of peerless
play from midcourt. which broke
through the challenger's service and
won the last two games and the set
at Cd.
A halt was called after this, while
the men enjoyed fifteen minute rest.
Behr betook freely of oatmeal water,
TCuchard sought solace in a cigarette
and then both went to the clubhouse
for rundown.
Some OF those among the spectators
thought Touchard was on the verge of
come back" and would take the next
two sets and the match. They were
doomed to isapDointment, for Behr
played at top speed in the final set,
while Touchard sent ball after ball
into the net and seemed afraid to leave
the safety Of his base line.
After the first game had gone to
deuce. Behr won il on two clever shots
for placement, and then reeled Of the
next four games without allowing
Touchard single point. By SUI
preme effort the champion won the
next two games, passing Behr with
sweeping drives down the side lines
and taking the seventh game at love.
! hat was his swan song. however, and
Behr took the final game, the match
and the championship with a we'll
placed service ace.
The final round match in the mems
doubles. which was to have been played
yesterday between George L. Wrenn
ard I. +. Watson, ir. and Behr and
theodore Roosevelt Pell. went to the
latter pair by default. Watson. who
strained his left ankle last Friday.
found the injury so serious as TO ne
cessitste his withdrawal.
Pell and Behr, therefore. will be The
par to meet Touchard and Watson VI.
Washburn. the champions. this after
noon at $3.50 o'clock in the challenge
round.
The point score Of yesterdays match
follows: