The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-08
VIM. NJ. Johnston Sweeps
Veteran to Defeat and Is
New Tennis Champion.
LOSES ONE SET, THEN
CRUSHES FAMOUS FOE
Youth Displays Skill Of a
Master at Every Kind
of Stroke.

William NJ Johnston of San Francisco
carried away the national lawn tennis
championship yesterday at the West Side
Tennis club, Forest Hills, l.. l., by de-
feating the California Comet Maurice Il.
Mclaughlin, three sets to one, at l-6,
60, IS, Us. 1t is doubtful II at
any time in the history of the sport a
greater match has been played. and 1t Is
certain that at no time has the brand Of
tennis displayed by Johnston yesterday
been surpassed Close to 10000 persons
acclaimed the youngest champion that
ever wore the tennis crown as he was
borne triumphantly off the court after
his victory.
The victory of the twenty-year-ol
wonder was treat to the crowd, for like
true lovers of sport it was glad to see
new champion, to bestow its alteration
OH new idol. In yesterdays outcome,
however, there was a little regret for the
crowd. 1t was not that Johnston had
won-almost every one was glad of that
but that Mclaughlin, probably the
most popular player that ever held the
title, was beaten.
Every body Sorry for Old Idol.
The crowd had not forgotten the Won
derful Mac that had brought the Davis
cup back to this country III 1913 and had
beaten both Norman r. Brookes and the
late Anthony r. Wildng. the two superb
Australians. in the international matches
Iagf inst bpCansp Me-
loughlin had been shorn of his title
after his great work that the crowd
wanted to see him get II back and when
the match was finished and the two glad
lators locked their arms about the
shoulders Of one another there was many
an onlookers throat with a lump in it
and many "A tear dimmed eye. Great as
the din which greeted the new crowned
king, the uproar which bore a note Of
sympathy and we-are-with-y you Mac feel
ing to the eCipsed Comet was one that
never Will be forgotten by those around
the scene OF battle.
Never in the history of the game has
man more deserved the title than did
little Johnston, and IL is doubtful II at
any time a player had to work harder
t. get IT, In the last three rounds
OF the tournament the youngster had to
meet the men rated one. two and three
IN the reverse order. and In the other
rounds all his opponents We're star
players. Johnston showed that he is a
st!Cker and not just a sprinter, for as
his opposition became sterner he in
creased his speed. Even within each Of
his various matches the further he went
the better he grew.
There can be no doubt in the minds Of
those who saw the match that the bet
III H.,
we'll If not better. than when he downed
Brookes and Wilding, and yet was out
played. Johnston was superb. Catlke
In agility and machinelke in accuracy,
he seemed unable to miss He took
chances that another player would not
have attempted. and got away with
them. His play left nothing to be de-
sired. His backhand and forehand were
equally strong. his volleying the best
mat has been seen, and his ground
strokes far ahead OF those OF william
A. Larned or the Doherty brothers in
their heyday.
Guesses Rivals Every Move.
Besides the finish of his strokes the
young champion had a strange intuition
In dlyinlng where Mclaughlin was GO
ing 10 return the ball. no matter what
me possibilities were and the judgment
o. a solomon in returning the sphere
not so much to where McLoughlin
wasn't as to where Mclaughlin couldn't
get.
Il was struggle from the time the
men took their positions at either side
of the net until Johnston placed the
pan out Of McLoughln's reach for the
hudl point that put a new name on
me championship cup with those of Lar
RED, Mclaughlin and Richard Norris
Williams I'd, And. by the way, that
III" to hang on II was not one OF
those miserable misses or undeba
snoiS that come In hurry and spell the
word inis. 1t was scored after brill
,ant rally wher Johnston had pulled Nc
Ioughlin out OF position following mar
,'Hous gets by both men, Johnston
Just barely placed tho ball out Of his ad-
N'r,drys reach and the latter made
game try for II, but was unable to con-
meet
! Johnstons victory over Mclaughlin
Yesterday and over Williams Karl Behr
L ana Clarence }. Griffin on preceding
\ Gays stamps him real champion and
n " boon to the game. 1t disposes of
me trlumvirate in tennis even as that in
to' was dissipated and changes the
aspect Of the rating which was beginning
O p'cnme stereoyped Victory meant
mu'h to Mclaughlin, for It not only
Non.d bring back the title lost to Will
an last year, but would give him per-
| ~. mt possession OF the championship
y, .,,oW on which he won legs in 1912 and
Comet Plays FavOrite style.
MrI.pughln had all the confidence in
,he world that he would win the cham
p''hp and well might he have had
hai ceiling for although he had met
apNN '"u more than "A score of times
% WIZ" last few years. the best his