Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-02-25

Surprises were the order OF the day
at the Pacific courts yesterday after
noon In the semi-final matches of the
tennis singles championship and these
same surprises furnished excellent
tennis for the many spectators who
gathered to watch the play of the
mainlanders and the work of the Ha
Naiian champion. Ward Dawson de.
feated Clarence Griffin in three sets
and William Eklund won from Beals
Wright in the same number of sets.
The surprises of the day made a
great program for the spectators and
two great matches were staged. Ho.
< 1olulu deEotees OF tennis are not like
" to see such an exhibition OF general
ship and carefully planned campaign
play as was witnessed yesterday after
noon, for some time Dawson won
the match by playing a careful game,
! and takins. adEa1taee pfs6riffin otitss
Summing the situation up, Griffin
was defeated hy his.failure 10 return
the ball to the back court. He played
q pretty net games and his angle shots
70 the side court were bright features
OF the match, but Dawson played Grit.
fins back hand on many occasions,
and Griffin in angling for points made
enough outs to give the victory to
Dawson
When Griffin took the court and
played the BAH back and forth in the
volleying before the first serve, he be-
came the favorite for the match. He
looked to be on his game and showed
all the possibilities that made him a
member of the first ten last year. Bur
Dawson had many followers who be-
lieved that he would pierce Griffin's
defense, and he did On many occa-
sions, his game being featured by
his hard forehano drives close to the
net that were usually good for points
Dawson Wins First.
Dawson began we'll and won Grit
fins serve and Immediately the crowd
became enthusiastic as the semi-finai
lists began pretty rally which was
won by Dawson.
Griffin took Dawson's serve away
from him after gaining two advan
tages. This game was featured by
the delicacy and finesse which Grit
fin showed. There was none OF the
dashing game with hard drives down
the center of the court but his play
was usually q sharp chop from either
hand close to the net on the side line
,Griffin won his serve and then took
Oawson's serve when the latter made
two double faults. Dawson was lead
ing love but by clever returns close
to the line Griffin won out. Dawson
won the next game when Griffin faul.
ed twice on love game. In the next
game Griffin killed every return, but
Dawson began squirt by careful shots
to the back court and angle returns
which won for him the next three
games and the set. One of the pref
test plays of the game came up on
the net point when after a rally Daw
son drove a hard ball close to the net
after a nice return by Griffin and the
latter could not meet the shot.
Griffin Stars In Cut Shots.
Griffin took the lead in the second
set, winning the first game, by cutting
sharp angles close 10 the net Dawson
next won his serve. The next game
was marked by sterling tennis through
OUT The first two points were holly
contested and the spectators admired
the great work of the two players.
Griffin was trying for his sharp
angles and Dawson close to the net
drove a pretty drive to the sideline.
sending tire game to deuce. Griffin
won out, but Dawson was playing
good tennis and took the next two
games. With the next game at 1910
Griffin serving, Dawson made a won
derful return. The ball was cut
enough to give Griffin a race and the
latter failed to touch the ball.
The turning point in this set came
when Griffin made the set 5 all. Two
net shots which drew out the admira
ton Of the spectators, made the game