New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-20

Kumagse, Of Japan, created the most
startling upset of the lawn tennis year
on the championship Casino court to-
dav when he defeated William NJ.
Johnston, Of California, national cham
pion. by a score of 6-1, 81, 81,
2-e, 81, in the final round OF the
annual invitation singles.
Johnston was not the only national
champion to taste defeat to-day, for IN
the final round Of the doubles he and
Clarence ]. Griffin, his partner, who
held the national title, were defeated
IN a ive-set match by Joseph j. Arm
strong and Wallace F. Johnson, OF
philadelphia, the score being 4-6, g.
CT, 3-6, 81
Johnston was plainly still tired from
his terrific tussle with Kumagae IN the
morning. and was unable to give Grinln
tho assistance he generally does. Arm
strong was a tower of strength TO ms
side. and it was his sensational work IN
the rallies that did much to bring about
the champions defeat.
The wonderful little japanese played
his great rival fairly into the ground
and although Johnston made gallant
battle against the inevitable, leading
in the match by score Of to o ana
20 On games, in the final set'
Kumagae, driving with remarkable pre-
cision and with a world Of power IN
his strokes, finished with a great burst
of speed TO win at 81.
One Of the largest galleries that has
,at about the famous stretch of turf
IN years watched the struggle between
the Japanese and the American. There
was little to cheer the spirits OF the
,peetators in the first part OF the
match, for Kumsgae was outplaying
his opponent so easily as to make
Johnston almost an object of pity. The
high bounding balls that kumagae
kept hurting back into Johnston
court seemed TO totally disrupt the
champicn's usual forceful game, ana
when he did essay the net position the
little man from the Far East passed
him down the side lines with remark
ably well placed forehand and PACK
hand drives that either nlcked the
lines or landed inside by inches
Makes Many Errors.
In the third and fourth sets kuma-
gAe's game lost allttle OF us strength;
he made many errors, while johnston
taking a grip on himself, put more pace
into his strokes and went to the net
with encouraging success.
-
high state of excitement, for it believed
that the little Californian was about to
null the match out Of the fire and send
his Japanese rival down TO defeat.
In the last set the games went TO j
all with both men breakin- through
service apparently at will. America
homes sank again when Kumayae took
the lead at 53 and needed only
point for the match in the next game.
But then Johnston electrified the on
lockers by bringing the match level at
b all.
Everybody at once assumed a more
hopeful air. and the sentiment was
summed up in the words Of many Of
hose in the seats who said, compla-
Gently: cts all right now; Johnston
will win; but he had nightly close
call. didn't he"
Even the suave Kumagae lost bit
Of his imperturbable bearing. lie
strutted nervously up and down back
% his base line while waiting Tor
Johnston 20 begin serving and then
seemed on the verge OF defeat when ne
lost the next game at love, netting
Johnston's service and returns Tour
times in succession.
Sympathy for kumagae.
III. American was in the lead at 6
games TO 3, and the japanese was ap-
parently on the downward path. Inc
situation was so tense that Newport
forgot itself for the moment, and men
and women stood up and cheered and
clnpped their hands. On many sides
were heard expressions OF sympathy
for Kumagae, who tottered on the brink
Of defeat, II seemed, after a courageous
battle against Americas champion.
But Japan's sun had not set. kuma-
rse. after making a double fault on
bis 6rst service in the twelfth game,
proceeded 10 win the game by taxing
me next four points in a row. Two
,evere driving rallies ended when
Johnston landed his returns into the
net. and the next two points went TO
the Japanese, who scored on two knife
like passing drives down Johnston 5
side lines as the champion made frantic
leans 90 intercept the ball,
Again Johnston rallied his fast ebb-
ing strength. Kumagae netted the
Caiifornian's service and lost the next
point by driving into the barrier az the
finish Of a deep court rally; when
Kunagae lost the next point by send
ing one OF his "loop' drives far behind
the base line and Johnston led at 40 o
on points, the son Of Japan seemed
slipping fast ,
Once more the gallery wondered
when the national title holder made
two double faults and a net and kuma-
rae scored on sensational passing
drive down the side of the court, CIV
ing him the lead on points. With his
teeth gritted, Johnston entered into a
furious rally with his opponent, both
STAYING well in the back court
Finally the champion found the
opening he had been awaiting and vol
LEVIED sharply across the court kuma-
gae had been caught hst-footed near
his base line, but his white teeth
showed in a wide grin as he stood with
feet apart and shook his head. Amer
lea led BY 7 games 10 o.
Begins All Over Again.
Kumagae began all over again 20
wea, down the man who stood between
him and the greatest victory OF his
career. lie won the first two points
in the fourteenth game when John
atom sent his drives into the net and
dropped the next by driving high and
out Of court.
The crowd was trying desperately
20 rally the Americans faltering
strength by bursts Of applause when
ever q point went against Kumagae,
whether IL Was on the Japauese's err
rors or on JohDston's earned points.