New-York tribune., 1916-07-23
Johnston and Griffin Not
Equal to Task Set
Before Them.
FORMER, HOWEVER,
PLEASES ADMIRERS
Behr Suddenly Returns to Form
at Bay Ridge and Stiff
Match Results.
BY JAMES S. O'NEALE.

That he still possesses the pep punch
and speed shown in his sensational
progress through Griffin, Behr. Will
Jams and Mclaughlin to the national
tennis championship at Fores. Hills
last September, vas demonstrated yes
terday by William ". Johnston, Of San
Francisco, in mis- first public appearance
in the East this season.
However, the sandy, freckled faced
little youngster went down to defeat
with his holding partner in the national
doubles championship, Clarence j.
Peck Griffin, before the onslaughts
Of r. Lindley Murray and Karl ". Behr
in a great fve-set exhibition match
on a soggy turf court of the Crescent
Athletic Club, Bay Ridge. The scores
in favor Of Behr the Fiery and Murray
the Meteor were SIS, 6-l, 4-6, 3-5.
Ga.
Chief interest centred in the play Of
Johnston because of the alarming re-
ports Of his physical condition that
went countrywide after his winning OF
the title last year, because of the re.
cent injury to his back at his home and
because tennis followers are more or
less dubious as to his chance Of retain.
ing his crown.
In singles match during the after
noon Walter Merrill Hall, tenth on the
national ranking list, came back and
defeated Roland Roberts, the young
San Francisco City champion, 6--4,
6-3, IS. Roberts, new TO the turf.
was at a disadvantage and could not
meet the low bounces successfully.
Johnston set the physicsl-condition
rumors at rest yesterday, and, though
he and Griffin lost because Behr was
in superb form, Johnston's play, after
only three days Of turf practice, did
much to reassure those who thought
the wiry champions victory last year
was a fuke. Round-fsced and tanned,
the champion looked fully as healthy
as the perennially vigorous Miss MolIs
Bjurstedt, as they shook hands and
posed for their pictures on the court.
Johnston's terrific forehand drive,
/ into which he throws every ounce OF
his weight, was as speedy as ever, even
4 though the balls were heavy and wet
Several times the champion hit the
sphere so speedily past Murray that
the good natured opponent, not seeing
the ball, but surmising the fact that
Johnston had stroked it, grinned de-
lightedly.
A Real Speed Burner.
The champions fast ard deep volleys
from a few feet in front Of the SER
vice line-the characteristic shot that
was the admiration Of the galleries at
the championships last year-was also
on the job. His fine backhsnd. which
he has been trying TO hit with as great
velocity as his forehand, which is the
I speediest drive in the country, was not
as fast as early reports from the Coast
indicated.
The match was fast and furious, even
though the court was soggy from the
rain, and several times the ball refused
absolutely TO rise, skidding along the
ground as quickly as the flying foot
steps of Murray. No service was as
effective as usual yesterday, because
of the soft surface. In consequences,
deliveries were broken through oftener
than usual in doubles
Johnston was in fine form consider
ing the turf practice he has had, and
Griffin played mis- usual steady, imper-
turbable game. Tho unexpected return
, to his Davis Cup form OF Behr, who
has been having bad season, and the
expected efficiency plus" of Murray
was a little too much for the national
doubles champions, although the match
was close, with only eight love games
registered in the five sets.
Behr's all-around play, tricky and all
ways with changes of pace and direc-
tion, scored often. The former Yale
hockey star was particularly effective
with his horizontal volleys, since tho
handkerchief he wore around his fore
head did not appear to interfere with
his sighting along his racket at all.
The tempersmentsl, fiery internation-
aist missed several easy chances, how
ever, much 20 the delight Of the gal
lery waiting to see-and hear-him ef-
fervesce.
Murray Was Deadly.
Murray hit with deadly precision
overhead. fairly numbering whatever
lobs Johnston and Griffin were fool
hardy enough 20 send his way. He vol
leyed we'll, also, his returns huggins
the ground as tight as Behr hugs .
favorite racket That is. there was no
chance to get Murray's returns. For
the most part, he and Behr worked
smoothly together, although there were
several mixups. due partly 20 the fact
that the new combination held a right
handler and lefthander.
The point score and analysis follow:
FIRST SET
Johnston and Grim: