The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-12
BEHR JUSTIFIES HIS
RANKING AT TENNIS
Defeats ClOthier in Slashing
Match Of Delayed Nassau
Invitation Final.
LOSER TAKES FIRST SET

GLEN Cove. L. l.. July 1i.--Kar II.
pehr OF New York defeated william
]. Clothier Of Philadelphia, former ma
t,onal champion. in the final round
OF the Nassau Country Club Invitation
lawn tennis tournament before a crowd
OF 5000 persons at the club courts here
to-day. three sets to one at IS. g..
So. Ga. The New Yorker proved
conclusively that he was the better
man, for both Of the players were at
their top form. Behr's victory upheld
the Judgment OF the NATIONAL ranking
committee in placing him above Clothier.
a matter which caused some discussion
when the ratings were made public.
The placing. the strategy n the
court generalship displayed by the two
veterans was such as Is seldom seen out
side OF International or final round
national championship matches. Behr's
placement shots were particularly splen-
did and It was his ability to pass
Clothier when the latter came to the
net that won him the match.
Clothier came by his place among
the topnotchers through his long reach.
which enabled him TO put up q stonewali
defence at the net no matter the
variety Of the attack, and he kept his
place near the top by the same token.
His long reach and his speedy recov-
cries, however. awaited him little to-day.
when the brilliant New Yorker sent his
hot shot drives sizzling a few inches
above the barrier. Behr looped them
over Clothler's head when the Philadel-
phlan was too close to the net. but for
the most part he kept them low and
varied the programme occasionally by
slamming them cross court or along the
lines out Of Clothier's reach. Lobbing
was conspicuous by its absence.
The real fight was In the first two sets
and the best proof that neither man
was giving an inch is to be seen by
the fact that Clothier won the opener
with a margin OF only three aces on the
total and Behr took the next with
only two points on his total showing
clear above Clothler'e. It was drive,
smash and hustle all the way through.
and long before the second set was nm
other must crack.
Clothier's service was strong and after
winning the FIRST set II seemed AS II
he had an edge on Behr when he won
his first two service games at love
while the New Yorker had to work hard
70 get his. The men won on service VI
TO 4 all, and II was the Philadelphia
h cracked long enough TO let Behi
break through his service on the ninth
game and win on the next. This gave
Behr three games in a row at the enc
OF the set, the best string up to tina
time. Behr never let up when he fount
Clothier wavering and he ran his strins
OF games up to eight by taking tho frs
Ave games of the third set.
The Philadelphia looked to b
through. but he came back long enough
20 win a deuce game and a love gam,
and bring another to deuce three time,
before he conceded the set. Then tn,
customary rest came and the player.
came back ready for another stirring
battle. Behr lost no time breakini
through Ciothier's service. doing IL OF
the opening game, and 1t was Just IN,
advantage he needed. for II kept hin
in the lead up to b. and he won tn,
match by taking the tenth game a
love on his own service. The sum
maries:
Nassau Country Club Mems Inv!tatio
singles. Final Round-Karl II. Behr. Ney
YORK defeated william J. Clothier. Phila
delphla, At. s.. Ga. Ct. The po!n
score:
FIRST SET.
B.hr .......... 80
clothier....... +?t SIS