The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-06

While the contest between the two
champions of 1914 and 1915 had
nerve-racking climax, the match con-
sidered as whole was hardly up to
the tennis expected from these two
masters. A gallery of close to 10000
final contest of the thirtysixth annual
tournament of the national assocfa-
ton between the two survivors of the
1913 entrants who started play here
more than week ago. In the main
they were disappointed, for while
there were occasional brilliant rallies
end flashing strokes, both Williams
and Johnston, in their endeavors to
play carefully, unconsciously eliminat-
ed much of the dash and fire from
their racquet and footwork.
The fortunes of the players swung first
one way and then the other. but there
was lacking the sensational fighting of
the ball back and forth across the net,
which was so marked in the Murray
Church and similar contests in the pre-
liminary rounds.
WEATHER EXCELLENT
z Weather conditions were excellent, the
sky being overcast and there was no
wind.
careful analysis of the play during
tho five sets shows that while Williams
ran far ahead of Johnston in his ability
to score both service and placement
he mill cd ma mn
the San Franciscan. There was but four
points difference in the totals of the
players at the end of the match and
they were tied in the number of games
won.
From the very beginning 1t was evident
THAT these representatives of the best
in eastern and western tennis play of
the present year realized the RESPONSE
bility that rested on their shoulders.
They started in a slow and deliberate
manner and the ball Travelled back and
forth without particular speed, except
during service until in the majority of
cases an error gave the point away.
TIDE BEGINS TO TURN
3 The tide really turned in the fourth set,
when Williams awoke and started to play
With the dash and vim which usually
characterizes his game For the first
time in the contest the rallies were long
and hard-fought, but the easterner US
ually wound up by forcing an opening for
a shot with which Johnston could not
connect.
At the opening of the fifth and final set
the spectators settled back with the idea
that Williams would sustain his game
and quickly run out the necessary points
to win. They nder-estimated Johnston's
fighting spirit, however Johnston slashed
and whipped the ball back to Williams SO
fast that the latter temporarily went
to pieces and ended rally after rally with
an error.
ut was not until three games had been
lost that Williams finally held himself in
check The strain was beginning to tell
on Johnston, who gradually began to
weaken under the combination OF Will
liams' skillful placing and his own exer-
lions. The gallery, with which Williams
was a decided favorite, changed its
groans at the latter's errors to cheers
as he began to run up the points and
there was remarkable demonstration
when Williams made the score three all.
+; JOHNSTON MAKES RALLY
Spectators were beginning to leave the
stands as Johnston started his final
rally and there was hurried return to
seats when the titleholder completed the
ninth game and was within one of max
ing 1t deuce. Deuce was called four times
before Williams went to vantage with a
sharp backhand crosscourt placement ace
and Johnston gave UP the title by netting
the next service.
Williams in winning the title for the
second time since he came to this country
In 1912 from Switzerland, fought his way
through the present national tournament
from the first round and figured In seven
matches, rs sets and 217 games. john
eston's record for the tournament was
seven matches, 20 sets and 2oS games.