Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-14

Wonderful! tennis was on exhibition at
the courts of the Chevy Chase Club
Yesterday afternoon, when Wallace
johnson defeated r r. Peil in the finals
of the mems singles Of the spring tourn-
ament, 2-6 60, 0-S, Go. 60. Mr..
johnson has the reputation of being a
grass court player and for this reason
Mr. PeN was the favorite among those
who like to wager before the contest
opened. The favoritism carried over
the first set. which went to the New
Yorker, but when the second set was
ended the experts around the courts
saw the handwriting on the wall. not
withstanding the third set proved easy
for Mr.. Pell. Mr.. Johnson was evident
ly saving himself and when he once got
started in the fourth and fifth sets he
simply played MIR. Pell off his feet.
1t would be difficult to tell exactly
where Mr.. Johnson eXcelled His work
or the returns and service bordered Oh
the marvellous, "a he appeared to place
the ball with the accuracy of man
pitching quti;s Tine after time the
placing was 50 deity done as to compel
Mr.. Pell TO simply stand still and watch
the ball drop safe on the portions of the
court that could not be reached by
humans. Should Mr.. johnson be able
to come within 10 per cent of yester-
Gays game III the tournaments this
summer. the four men ranking ahead of
h::.: in the National Association will
have the time Of their lives keeping him
in tf'h place
As 10 Mr. Pell. an experts opinion of
his work is that he appeared stale and
lacked the force TO his stroke that gen
orally carried defeat to his opponents
Many thought he was saving himself in
not dashing after difficult chances but his
starts were SLOW, and he probably realized
that the great playing of his opponent
was unbeatable.
Weather Suits the Players.
The weather yesterday was made to
order for the players. but the spectators
wore wraps and coats in abundance to
keep warm. The hot sun of the day be-
fore was missing. and the cool atmos-
phere probably benefited Johnson more
than Pell The match was a great mag
net for society. and the beautiful lawns
and porches of the club were crowded
with handsomely gowned women. al
though the threatening clouds probably
kept many away. AS the big match pro
crossed into the final set tables We're
placed on the lawn, where tea was served,
but everybody had to scamper indoors
later when rain began to fall. The prizes
for the tennis and golf Journeys We're on
exhibition in the parlor of the clubhouse.
and the guests critically examined ana
praised their beauty.
Pelrs defeat at the hands of johnson
came as Il distinct surprise, as the New
Yorker has been playing one of the best
games of his career during the last few
days, while johnson has been off form.
winning, but only because he
has been up against rather med
iocre players. He made his rep
utation on the grass courts and for
this reason 1t was figured out that he
would not show up at his best against
the metropolitan player: but he played
a perfect game and probably has never
done any better work. His stroke was
working to perfection, he made few mis-
tates and he covered the court in the
most approved manner. While overhead
he was in rare form.
Pell on the other hand. has shown a
much better brand of tennis While his
service was exceptionally strong. he was
woefully weak on his forehand. and his
shots seemed to lack the usual sting.
johnson also outplayed him at the net.
Pell Starts Well.
The New York player took the opening
set winning six out of eight games. but
johnson had not then struck his stride.
although he improved with each game,
the last two being deuced. Pell cap
tured three OF the first four, lost the
fifth, which was deuce one, and then
took the next two.
The second set was probably one Of the