El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-09-14

career Of Tilden is closely linked
with that Of Vincent Richards. The
latter had never attempted 70 play
lawn tennis until three years ago. AT
that time he became somewhat inter
ested in playing on the court OF J.
Prescott Gage. at Loweree. near Nou-
kers- He appeared 20 possess ready
adaptaD-llTy, forging ahead by meet
ing all Corners. so that two seasons
ago he defeated Allan r. Behr in the
Nonkers city championship. That
compelled attention 10 the kid" that
could give some OF the old campaign
ers a run. with the result that play
ers interested in the upbuilding OF
the game saw to IL that Richards en-
tered into the tournaments
Richards was one of the New
York team that went over 20
Philadelphia. and "a was there
that Tilden saw him play for the
first time Boy that he was. Rich
ards forced one OF the Phiindel-
phia stars to 20 the limit OF five
sets. just a. he did against =
Howard FOshell before he yield
ed Sc impressed was TIlden with
the wonderful ability OF the boy
n a stroke player and general
that he paid considerable atten-
tiom TO him.
IL is not stretching the point to say
that the partnership Of Tildeu and
Richards has resulted In materially
etfecring IN Improvement IN the skill
OF each Ilden regards Richards as
the best voueyer in this country. bar
ring none. Strangely enough, the
fame that Richards has won on the
lawn tennis courts does not appear
to interest his family in the slight
est degree. He is the youngest OF
several children. and an elder brother,
now in war service. won honors as a
track athlete
The cIevsrness with which the boy
conducts his game amazes some OF
the older players He is a brainF
youngster. and the fact that he won
scholarship at the Fordnam prepdr-
atory school IS fair indication that
he does not neglect his studies for
his recreational exercise. Tilden and
Richards are certainly among the
outstanding players OF the season
InVincible Murray.
Robert Lindley Murray. OF Niagara
Falls. one OF the finest spOrtsmen
and most proficient racquet Wielders
who ever came forth from the Golden
Gate. was crowned as the national
singles tennis champion when he de-
feated William T Tilden. 3D. OF Phil
adelphia. in the final round o. the
tournament at the West Side Tennis
club at Forest Hills with the score
SIS. 81, IS. Probably there has sell
dom. If ever. been case in the long
history Of the championship when a
PLAYER so little coveted the title as
did Murray this season SIX weeks
ago IL was his firm intention not to
play in the event. and he was shaken
from his resolve only because he was
duced the tennis officials to provide
funds for the soldiers and sailors In
Won with Little Practice.
Even when Murray did consent to
play there was hardly a possibility
! q -r@ 4 a nfrHn 10 Hn-mHrrH|H
the tournament He had had no prac-
tice- Being engaged In war work he
had more serious things 10 interest
him than tennis II has been the his
tory OF championship tennis rnar a
PLAYER must prepare during an en-
tire season before he could even hope
TO stand forth prominently IN na-
rfonal singles event How much the
worthy successor 10 Maurice f. Nc
/ LouEhliu. William 81 Johnston. ana
Richard Norris Williams ed &C
comDlished in the short space o. time
allotted 20 him is Indicated By MS
victory. an accomplishment as arlal-
ing as IL IS gratifying TO a host OF
Murrav's admirers
Coming 10 the Southampton tourna-
meut only two weeks before Il start
ed Murray was a weak contender. but
his Improvement in play was quick
as we'll as steady. and 10 reached its
elimination in the final match against
[ Tnden. who was fairly swept Off his
Z feet BY the onrush OF the indomlta-
[ bic Californian
It was AIurray's service more than
anything else which broke up TIL
den's play The philadelphian. him
/ self a brilliant player in this part1cu-
[ lar. met more than a match in the
Californian. who time and again
burned across service secs were
hardly more than a streak Even
I 1Iurray's twist service was a puzzle
/ 10 Tf1den who found himself drawn
into reneared errors On the other
hand Ti1den's service, which was not
I going any too vel. was FAR rom
/ being troublesome TO Murray
The new champion PLAYED The
characteristic net game for which
he is famous. He tricked Tilden
with ease with soft shots and
stop volleys and smashed and vol
Legged IN n manner that almost de-
fled return