New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-06

love of the sport"
on his own service and the set at
"a. leaving the match even again.
Johnston began 20 show signs OF
worry as they began the third set, Tor
Williams had met his fastest play
without finching and was having the
better Of the exchanges, whethey they
were from back court or near the net.
But y was the erratic nature OF
Williams 20 give his well vlshers 4
fright a. this stage OF the struggle.
Suddenly. and without apparent cause,
he began 20 miss on the very shots that
Won him the second set. johnston
quick 20 take advantage Of this tenn
porary lapse. went into the rallies with
an added burst Of speed, raining low
vol.evlnc shots into every section OF
his opponents court.
Tic was travelling az a wonderful
clip, storming the net relentlessly and
drawing Williams out Of position WIFI
ease. In the third game the kas-erne-
came back 20 life, and sensational
struggle went on for the points. Win
the score going twice 20 deuce, johns
ton took the game. although every
noi0t Williams won was the result OF
brilliant placement aces. But he mad
rot yet gagged the angles perfectly
ard his margin Of safety was not SUI
fc.ent 20 overcome MS errors.
williams Looked Beaten.
Johnston swept on impressivelv, and
the gallery thought Williams doomed
% defeat when the champion ran out
the set az love. Just twelve minutes
after they had started on the third
session.
But the loss OF six straight games
did not appear 20 worry Williams \
the least. and he was the more conf
dent Of the two as they ran 20 the
clubhouse for the seven-minute RESI-
between sets. Il is probable that
Johnston felt his speed and strength
slipping from him, while Williams
seemed 70 feel that his greatest mo-
ulerts were vet 20 arrive.
The breathing spell did not seem 20
have benefited Johnston greatly and
lines q WORRY had settled on his face.
Williams was 2 changed man. As ne
awaited the renewing Of the strugg e
he walked up and down his base llne,
shaking his racquet savagely as 5ough
determined 20 settle the issue quickly.
The Californian started service, but
Williams ran into q lead o. 4O-l5 on
points. scoring three beautiful place
r1ert aces. now down the side, then
sharply across the court and then 20
Johnstoa's feet, as the latter tried 20
come into the net But the champion
was putting everything he had into MS
service and won the game after Will
Jams had made four errors of his OPP
ponent's delivery. For the last point
Johnston scored a placement on low
volley, the ball just rolling over the
top cord.
Thrill After Thrill.
There followed during the next seven
games Of the set such q series OF brill
liant strokes on the part Of both men
that those in the stands alternately
held their breath and broke into eX-
cited cheering and hand c.applng.
Williams was working with perfect
smoo-hness, curbing J0hnston's vicious
drives wiki stop volleys that sent the
ball driving across the court, always
for the smallest openings.
Sometimes, when the rallies had at
tanned -heir greatest speed, Williams
softening Of stroke, so that Johnston
found himself far out OF position.
Playing al an absolutely unbeatable
pace. Williams took game after game
and within twenty minutes OF unre-
taxing speed had won i've games N a
row and led al 81. The seventh
game went 20 the Californian. largely
on Wil.iams's errors. but then Williams
went at u again and TOOK the anal
game and the set at g.
The champion was about 20 taste de-
feat and his bearing Indicated that he
realized his race was almost run. Gone
were the FIRE and dash that lad swept
Lindley Murray from the court on the
previous day and in their stead were
fatigue and an ever-pressing desire for
rest from the combat In spit Of this
the Californian summoned all MS
strength 20 stave Of WI.lams's rush,
perhaps in the hope OF unsetting MS
opponents confidence with q trench
dous burst OF speed and severity.
But Williams took the best that John
ston had 20 offer and lost the first
three games, the little champion play
ing with the energy % despair, tght-
ing the last fight. Then came the
breaking up, and Williams won the
next FIVE games at wonderful speed.
He tried every shot in his category
and all Of them were successful. He
could no- miss, 10 seemed.
Johnston wilted rapidly. Following
the eighth game he reeled uncertainty
70 a lnesman's chair and sat down,
head bowed. shoulders bent, as with
thousand cares, but Williams, eager 20
end 10 all, was waiting. and Johnston
dragged himself 20 MS feet and reen-
tered the battle. The ninth game he
won. with Williams indulging in
streak Of wildness, and then came the
tenth and last game.
The man who was about 70 win the
title and the man about 20 lose one
went into each rally with fierce rushes,
but williams was the stronger, and
Johnston, weakening pitifully, could not
handle the terrific service on the last
two points, and bis championship was
gone.