New-York tribune., 1919-08-10
It Of position. Johnston leads games

out Of position. Johnston leads 3 games
to 2.
Was this to be the breaking point for
Iliden? Tilden answered the question
himself by winning the next two game
and gong into the lead at 4-3. He
began consistent attack upon Johns
tons backhand, keeping the ball very
low, and lmparting a tricky underspin
mat forced the Californian to dig
tor every shot.
Johnston was fighting back fiercely for
the points and the points went to
deuce twice in both games, but the
Californian was finding the net with
II ajoritv Of his shots, for it was next to
Impossible to lift the ball sufficiently
nigh to clear the barrier.
AGAIN the match was squared when
go.2nston took the eighth as he caught
Illden out Of position by driving his
returns short ino forecourt. The, split
the next two games, and then Tilden
won the eleventh on his own service.
Johnston driving out of court three
times. The first set was the Philadel-
phian's at 7-5. when he broke through
the Cahfornian's service for the second
time, Johnston making two double
faults in his anxiety to score on aces.
il Was Iilden's service again as they
oegan the second set, and the Eastern
er pulled the game out, after Johnston
mad twice held the vantage point. The
Coast player was getting precious little
opportunity for smashing or overland
vclleys, because his opponent kept his
returns low, so low that the ball bare
~ SKINNED the net.
Tilden Wins Second Game
Three wonderful placement aces
scored by Tilden as he closed in at the
net and spcared Johnston's laundering
forehand drives, reaching out an ap-
parensly interminable arm, and an
other costly net by the Californian
gave Tilden the second game 1t was
d dangerous lead.
Johnston realized what it was facing
man Of Tilden's resources, and he
came back with splendid rally, squar-
ing the set at 2-all, and then they
alternated in the lead.
The final point in this game was
scored in sensational manner by Til
den. Johnston edged one over almost
parallel to the net for what seemed
certain ace, but Tilden raced to meet
it, and, taking half volley on his
backhand, shot the ball back for per-
feet and unbeatable ace Johnston
had been so certain the point was his
that he had already started back tow
ard the base line.
tional doubles champion, but he
dropped the twelfth, and once more the
games were even at six all. Then came
the final turning of the tide against
Johnson, for Tilden started a bewil-
dering attack with every variety of
shot at his command
Johnston Makes Game Fight
Two wonderfully played games came
in the thirteenth and fourteenth ses-
sions before Tiden could win and claim
the second set at 8-6. Johnston was
fighting in the last breach, knowing
how vitally necessary it was to halt his
opponents all-conquering rush. The
little Californian fought brilliantly in
stay Tilden's cyclonic flight.
Tiden took the first game in the
third set on his own service and John
ston made it / all by winning the Sec
ond, and then came the deluge, Tilden
running off the next FIVE games in q
row for the set at 81 and the match
There was no sudden breaking in the
Cahfornian's game, but his vulnerable
backhand had begun to falter, his SER
vice had lost much of its power and
his volleying lacked the necessary
sting.
Brookes and Patterson, by winning
the doubles event, started their Ameri-
can tour with triumph that seems
destined to be only one of many. 1t is
too early yet to say what this great
pair will do against our strongest
team, Johnston and Griffin, for instance,
or against Tilden and Richards, the
national champions, but enough has
been seen of their game to prove that
Patterson is terror at the net, man
who can smash with any Of our own
players, and the possessor of sound
ground strokes and deadly service
He seems an ideal partner for the vet
eran Brookes.
Patterson was the dominating figure
on his side of the net and the slender
Richards far outclassed Wallace John
son in the other court. 1t was re-
markable and inspiring sight to see
this seventeen-year-old youth exchang-
ing volley for volley with Brookes, the
great master, and fairly holding his
own. Brookes himself must have been
! impressed