New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-25
Armstrong, Roberts, Wash
burn and Clothier to
Play in Semi-Finals.
M'LOUGHLIN SHOWS
SPEED IN PRACTICE
Griffin and Johnston Score
in Doubles-R. Norris
Williams Defaults.
By FRED HAWTHORNE.

BY FRED HAWTHORNE.
Southampton. N. Y. Aug. 24.-One
veteran and three players OF the
younger school reached into the semi
finals to-day in the playing Of the
annual invitation lawn tennis tourna-
ment of the Meadow Club.
Watson NJ. Wsshburn. present holder
of the cup; Joseph j. Armstrong. for
mer Pennsylvania state champion; Rol-
and Roberts, of California, national
clay court champion, and William ).
Clothier, National title-holder away
back in 1906, are the four men who
will meet in the order named to-mor-
row morning for the places in the final
brackets
The clubhouse was in a state OF ex-
element all the morning. First came
the unexpected default of + Norris
Williams, I'd, national champion OF
1914. The Philadelphia defaulted to
Washburn in the round before the
semi-fnals. The man who conquered
the great Mclaughlin at Newport two
years ago did apparently the wise
thing in not risking the ankle that has
not yet mended.
When Williams fell in his match
with Roberts about a week ago he tore
"a ligament, and although the injury
has come along nicely the former
champion has been nursing II all
through the present tournament AS
long as he was opposed by men he
could defeat without endangering the
torn ligament, the Philadelphian
played for the practice he plainly
needs, but against player OF wash
burns quality he would be compelled to
do too much quick footing. so he de-
cided to drop out and conine his play
TO the doubles.
Mclaughlin Warmly Welcomed.
Shortly after the noon hour to-day
an automobile rolled up to the CLUB
house veranda and from the interior
of the limousine stepped forth young
man of rudy complexion and a shock
of flaming red hair. Under one arm
he carried three racquets.
It was Maurice Mclaughlin, OF Cali
fornia, the man who has done more
for American lawn tennis probably
than any other one individual. In a
moment the former champion was sur
rounded by a crowd Of players and
club members and was forced TO hold
an impromptu reception where he
stood.
The hero of the last Davis cup
matches looked well, splendidly so, and
the old smile, modest, infectious, was
working overtime. He was the same
Mac who held 10000 spectators SPELL
bound by his skill in vanquishing the
great Brookes and Wilding at Forest
Hills in 1914, If appearances count for
anything.
Characteristically too, Mclaughlin
seemed relieved when the handshaking
was over and he was in tennis toys.
He and Ward Dawson, his partner in
the national challenge doubles next
week, went out on one of the outer
courts and started practice.
Dawson, who has improved inn
mensely since his last appearance
around New York in 1915, took the
first two games, both volleying sharply
from close 20 the net. They were not
at it seriously, but it seemed to the
writer that McLoughlin's ground
strokes have acquired quite an appre-
ciable bit of strength since he was de-
feated by Johnston in that memorable
match last year at Forest Hills, when
Johnston won the title.
Weak on the Backhand.
The former champion put a lot of
top spin on his forehand drives and
the ball sped through Dawson's court
with the speed OF a bullet. On mis-
backhand the Californian still showed
weakness, although it was difficult to
form an accurate estimate of his game
because of the conditions. But one
thing is certain, Mclaughlin can still
smash from deep court with all his
old abandon, can smash with a deadly
finality, while running backward, that
should prove a terror to future oppo-
nents. His service had not the light
ming fash of speed to-day that it pos
sessed two years ago. although he APP
peared to have more on the ball. which
broke high
OF the seven games played between
Dawson and Mclaughlin, the Comet
won the last FIVE, and through il all
romped and laughed like a schoolboy.
Later he played some doubles, display
ing the same dash and exuberant spir-
its he had shown earlier in the day.
Many of the spectators who had
started in to watch Johnston and Crit
fin and William A. Larned and William
J. Clothier in their doubles match
turned about in their seats and fast
ened their eyes on the magnetic figure
of Mclaughlin.
Armstrong Defeats Harte.
In the matches played to-day in the
singles, Armstrong defeated Richard
Harte in straight sets at 6-3. 6-4;
Roberts took the measure of Harry S.
Parker at 40, 6-3, GO. and Clothler
conquered young Francis T. Hunter by
a score OF Is, Ga.
Armstrong and Harte we're assigned
10 the clubhouse court, and they went
at each other iercely. The Harvard