New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-08
Strachan Too
Speedy at Net
For Alexander
Coast Player, Who Re
placed Johnston, Beats
Former Champion
By FRED HAWTHORNE

SOUTHAMPTON, n. Y, Aug. T.
John R. Strachan, Of California, who
came East last week to take the place
of William VI. Johnston. former ma
tional champion, in the various lawn
tennis tournaments in behalf of the
ambulance section fund, proved himself
an able substitute this afternoon.
Playing in the invitation tournament
Of the Meadow Club, Strachan
defeated Frederick B. Alexander, OF
Davis Cup fame, by a score Of 10,
6-l, Cd. In encompassing the de-
feat of the fve-times former holder of
the national title Strachafl unleashed
a forehand drive that is second only to
Johnston's terrific shot. The latest
visitor from the Coast takes the ball
at the top of the bound and almost
rips the cover off as he crashes it back.
Only the fact that he imparts a de-
cided top to the ball keeps it within
court confines.
In the first set of the match Strachan
had only this shot and a severe service
to combat the court cunning and the
wonderfully sharp, low volleying Of
Alexander. AS the match progressed,
however, the young man from the
shores of the Pacific began to go for
the net position himself, and his vol
leying, backed up by the speed and
accuracy of his ground strokes, proved
an obstacle that could not be sur
mounted. In the final set, though, the
veteran internationalist, with Strachan
leading him at ID on games, began a
fight that thrilled the gallery.
N great
speed Alexander smothered his oppo-
nent's shots by dazzling low volleys,
and when the Coast star sought to lob
him to the back of the court the inter-
nationalist retorted with severe and
we'll placed smashes. Strachan grew
erratic under the spirited attack. and
Alexander rushed ahead until he had
brought the games score of ID. But
the extra effort had taxed his speed so
severely that he was unable to meet
Strachan's next rush, and the latter
took the tenth and last game and the
set at Cd, which gave him the match.
Next in interest to this match was
the meeting of Mrs. Rawson l.. Wood
and Frederick c. Inman, on one side,
and Mrs. Robert II. Williams, of Cali
fornia, and Alexander on the other in
the mixed doubles. Mrs. Wood and
her partner won by score of 81,
3-6. 90, and 1t was Mrs. Woods spec
tacular overhead play at the net that
raised the match above the ordinary.
The former singles champion of Flor
ida was a tower of strength at the bar
rier, and no matter how wizard Alexan-
der and Mrs. Williams tried to force
her into back court by severe driving,
Mrs. Wood stood her ground and
blocked Off almost every shot that came
to her. In fact, she proved so effective
at this position that Mrs. Williams and
her partner often switched their attack
TO Inman, in the hope of earning their
points that way.
But lnman was in particularly fit
condition to-day, and not only handled
everything that reached his side of the
court, but often ventured into Mrs.
Woods territory to score kills" Of
lobs or placement aces on chop volleys
for the corners.
Mrs. Williams was erratic in her
play. Occasionally she rose to fine
heights when she had a chance to reach
the net. A weakness on her backhand
however, spoiled many opportunities
for winning points. She partly made up
for this by her service, which was well
placed and unusually severe, but, on the
whole, her work was not equal to that
of Mrs Wood.
The latter often tricked Alexander
and Mrs. Williams by shooting her re-
turns down the centre Of the court and
between the opposing pair, and her low
drives from deep court were useful in
making the openings.
Alexander had q little too much to do
in this match. Once he could gain posi-
ton within the service court lines he
finished off his points with great brill
lance, angling his shots so sharply that
the opposing pair were hard put TO il to
get their racquets on the ball. But the
Davis Cup star of other years had to
cover so much Of the court, when In
mans snappy volleys began to ferret
out the openings, that he could not al
ways get into position. Although Mrs.
Williams made valiant attempts to help
him out, the task was a bit too much.
In the other match Of the day Fred
erick C. Bags defeated DR.. William
Rosenbaum by a score Of 6-S, 60,
Cd. Both men favored the net at
tack once their deep driving had opened
up the way, and Baggs, with his chop
strokes, was a bit more effective.
The schedule of matches for to-mor-
row follows: 1880 a. m, Strachan VS..
Inman; II a. m, s. H. Voshell and F.
c. Baggs vs.. l.. f. Mahan and DR.. Will
lam Rosenbaum; p. M. Miss Molla
Bjurstedt VS.. Mrs. K. II. Williams; 4
p. m, Alexander and H. A. Throckmor-
ton vs.. Voshell and Baggs; 1880 p. m,
Miss Mary X. Browne VS.. Mrs. Rawson
L. Wood.