Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-09-02


deeds OF 1917 are written down In the
lawn tennis histories the name OF
Robert Liudley Murray, formerly OF
California, but now Of Niagara FallT.
". Y, ~ certain TO be placed before
that Of every other player. Murray
clearly earned this honor by his de
cisive defeat of Nathaniel ". Niles
Of Boston in the final round Of the
national Red Gross singles AZ the West
Side Tennis club on Saturday.
Before this the Meteor nld given
evidence earlier IN the season that he
was playing in better form than ever
before In his career Tho Culifor-
uian has rounded out his game APP
preciably since that time. in 1914.
when he fitst astounded the east by
his spectacular STYLE Of play and
earned a ranking at the 40. posi-
tion among the FIRST ten
In those days Murray was the en-
hodlmeut OF Parfic cOast tennis AZ
exemplifed first hy the greut Nc
Loughlin. with him 1t was case
of terrific service. crowd the net and
then smash or yolley-mOstlN smash.
1t was sensational tennis to watch.
but 1t entniled tremendous waste of
physical energy and when pitted
against game like that OF Richard
Norris williams IT, present national
champion. Il could not prevail.
Wild Speed Curbcd.
But since then the Californian has
curbed his wild and undIrected speed
and has brought 10 his aid q roper
tory OF ground strokes Tint while not
OF the sounduess possessed by some
others among the top-noichers. never
theless are sufficient 10 help him out
OF tight situations and bolstr up his
net attack.
Murray can now afford 10 wait in
the back Of his court until an opening
presents itself and then rush 10 the
net TO finish off his points. His vol
leying has al undergone a marked
change for the better Some of his
low volleys during the week OF play
at Forest HIS were remarkably sharp
and decisive. and these did their part
In encompassing the downfall OF
Niles.
The Californian Is still prone TO eN-
pend too much energy In going after
almost unreturnable shots. hut even
here he has put a check on himself
with the result that he can survive
he rigors OF hard five-set match
far better than was the case before
he learned caution and conservation.
IL Is "A pity that William NJ. John
ihon. national champion OF 1915 and
me of the soundest players who ever
rod n court, could not remain In the
east long enough to take part In the
journey nt Forest Hills, This little
man with the mighty forehand drive
and the deadly overhead volleying
game was just reaching the heights
In his game last month when he was
summoned back 20 his native Cali
fornin to accept n commission In the
navy.
II II true that Murray had taken
his measure In a three-set match on
the clay courts of the Nahnundass
Golf club OF Utica in the latter part
OF July. but Johnston had barely
stepped off the trhnscontncutal train
ut that time and had not yet worked
the kinks out OF his muscles.
Bows To TbroclSmorton.
Harold Throckmorton had also de-
featod him in the same tournament
but at Plninfield two days later
Johnston turned the tables on the
national Junior champion. and at
Greenwich on the turf. the follow
ing week the former national title
holder gave evidence that few me- 5
days OF play would find him at me
top of his game
Murray and Johnston have met on
a number OF occasions In the last two
or three years and the advantage has
always rested with Johnston until the
meeting at Utica. Had these two ma.
tive sons met In the final round at
Forest Hills the match would have
been n memorable one and we are
inclined 10 believe that Johnston would
again have been victor. liut that is n
question that must ever remain unan
swered
But these facts stand ont with com
pelling directness: Murray started out
I'm field of Ga competitors at Forest
Hills, among whom were some OF the
greatest players on the courts today,
and he travelled a difficult path to the
final round. William r. Tilden, jr, a
slashing. brilliant player. was the first