New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11
MATHEY EASILY
DEFEATS GEER AT
INDOOR TENNIS
Three Defaults Make National
Championship an Open
Proposition

1t was tired and sleepless lot of
players that began play yesterday in
the 9TH Regiment Armory, Park Ave
nue. and Sixty-sixth Street, on the first
day of the eighteenth annual national
indoor lawn tennis championship tour
nament.
About nine out Of every ten had been
at the annual meeting of the tennis
association at the Waldorf on Friday
night, and as the meeting did not
break up until yesterday morning bad
got a good start, there was not much
enthusiasm shown on the courts.
As predicted in The Tribune some
days ago, Robert Lindley Murray, the
champion, did not play, mis- match with
c. A. Anderson going to the latter by
default. Theodore Roosevelt Pell
former champion, and Watson NJ
Washburn also defaulted, thus leaving
the tournament rather an open PROPOSE
ton, although Dean Mathey now looks
like a certain finalist in the upper half
Mathey defeated Danforth Geer, jr.
with ease, winning by a score OF 50
6--1. He was very fast in covering his
court and his volleyipg was sharp and
accurate as to placement
Boys in Hard Match
One Of the feature matches developed
in the struggle between two mere boys
BENJAMIN NJ. Letson, national boy
champion. ard Willard Botsford, former
public school champion of England.
Letson, s,roking the ball with great
power Ar d smashing viciously, won at
"a. 81 Botsiord was clever at
sticking his shots down the side lines,
but Letson stormed the net continually
and smothered a majority of these at
tempts at aces.
Clifton B. Herd, Of California, took
the measure Of the veteran Abraham
Bessford, jr., in straight sets, by a
score of 60, 6-2. The youth from
the Coast hit hard and fast, and Bass
ford's usual steadiness was not enough
to save him from defeat.
Benjamin NJ. Phillips, another player
with years Of experience to aid him,
vanquished young Elliott Binzen. ma
tional junior indoor champion, by a
score of 81, 4-6, 7-5. in a stirring
match. Phillips employed chop stroke
throughout and covered court with
unceasing energy, but, even so, Binzen
made him fight hard for every point.
Longest Set of Day
The longest set of the day was played
by Alrick II. Man, jr., former New Eng
land intercollegiate champion, and Neil
c. Stevens. Man took the first set with
out the slightest difficulty at 60, but
in the second session Stevens fought
desperately, and it was not until the
games had gone to 1916 that his OPP
ponent was able 20 claim a victory.
The entire first round matches were
disposed of before play was halted, to
begin again on Monday.
The summaries follow:
National indoor championship singles first round
Edgar T. Appeby defeated Corey NJ. Ammer-
man. 81. 60; Dmon T. Roberts defeated Merle
Theodore A. Bruno. 6-2. 6--l: Dean Msthsy de-
featod Danforth Geea, IT., 90, 81: Arthur <.
Crahn won from c. A. Sparks. BY default; Ben
= 4 'walbridse defeated R. c. Dosse. e..
s-l. Is. -; George KIM won from John
Mstheys. By default: Count OTTO salm won from
from , Rotsrt Lndley Murray by default: Carl Jo-
lire defeated lingo T. Hartmann. SIS. 81. =.
Howard vOshall WOO from Theodore Roosevelt Psll.
Paul Good won from Walton NJ. wmhspn. by
P. Goodhue' as. a.; Clifton r. Herd de,ested
Abraham Bas.ford. r.. 50. 60; Benjamin "
Phillips defeated Elliott BInzen. "a. IS. IS
Herbsrt l.. Bowman defeated J. T.. Anderson 81.
So: @. A. Ia Dtonne defeated DIR. William
Rosenbsum. -, 80: Craig Biddle defeated Harold
4. TAYLOR "a. SO: George s. GroesbccS de-
feated Howard No,msn. 6-I. 81.
Carroll j. Post defeated j. Harry stankampf,
Sc. So. -: e. g. Grenl won from Carlton
Y smith. by default Rowland b. HAines defeated
King smith, 20. 81. 6-3: Charlie Chambers
defeated John y. Thurlow IS. s.. Francis T.
Hunter defeated Anton Won Bermuth. IS. 60.
Henri s. Parker defeated H. Waller Robinson.
81. 60: Alnck II. Man. IT.. defeated Neil c.
& le-Ia