The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-13
EAST BEATS WEST
FOR TENNIS HONORS


fornia youth did well when he could gain
his place at the net. but this only hap
pened rarely. for Richards was placing
in such deadly fashion that Craven
found 1t costly to go in the face of the
battery of passing shots that came from
his opponents racquet.
The gallery, which at first was apa-
thetic and a bit doubtful as to Rich
ards's qualifications as a real star. grad
ually warmed up in its appreciation of
his work. As he went to the net for
sessions of brilliant volleying he sent
the ball straight for the openings. In
the last game of the match Craven
made his stoutest fight and he held the
match point three times before he was
able to win. The Californian rushed the
net and KILLED" off two lobs beauti-
fully. On the final point Craven popped
a weak backhand return of service into
the net
This left the big attraction the singles
between Tilden and Johnston, the No. l
men of the opposing teams. The West
needed this match vitality. II II was TO
continue in the running. but there was no
decided opinion either way as to who
would win. T1lden is known as q player
capable of rising to any height, but no
one knows, not even Tiden himself.
when he is going to strike his best
gait
Johnston. on the other hand. is known
as the soundest tennis player In this
country when in form. He has not as
yet enjoyed all the practice he needs,
but he had shown in his two previous
matches that he was pretty close to par.
TiIden. Breaks Through.
Johnston started the service in all four
SETS but he made n bad beginning by
allowing Tilden to break through in the
first game. The Philadeiphian ripped
two lightning backhand full volleys to
his rivals back hand. for placement aces.
and then won his own service with three
backhands to the sidelines as Johnston
tried to come in to the net position.
But the Californian gradually got the
range and fought his way into fore court
and from there worked his deadly over
head yolleys for the aces. He brought
the games to 3-ali. breaking through
Tilden In the sixth game. Johnston
went into the lead at as. playing beau
tifully overhead, and It looked bad for
Tilden. But he chose this time to stage
great rally. making almost impossible
shots, and won the last three games for
the set at Ga.
1t developed into a typical Tilden day
in the second set. for the clay court
champion completely reversed himself.
hanging in back court fubbing his
ground strokes atrociously. Johnston
looked very good then, as he went to
the net to smother Tildens weak shots.
The Californian won six games in a
row for the set, squaring the match.
Then Johnston took the first two
games of the third set. Tilden seemed
to be feeling the terrific heat more than
his opponent did. but again he startled
3 ha hNyu T.
able brand Of tennis.
Johnston accepted the challenge and
! there was a continual series OF brilliant
duels at the net and from back court.
| but most of the points were finished on
at the barrier. Johnston saw his lead
cut down and Tilden had the games at
5-3, the Californian made 1t 81, and
then the Philadelphia took the tenth on
| his own service, for the set at e..
Both men rushed to the clubhouse for
| the usual seven minutes rest, and when
they came forth again Tilden was a
transformed player. Confidence showed
in every move and he footed about his
court with remarkable speed. No shot
/ was too hard for him to make. He took
the first three games with the loss OF
only 2 points. volleying, smashing and
driving like one possessed. Johnston
seemed to realize II was hopeless, only
rousing himself in the final game. when
he put up a terrific struggle before go
| ing down.
! In the doubles match Burdick and
Green displayed good tennis such as won
the opening set. but the fast play OF
| Murray and Kumagae soon began to tell
and the latter team ran out with second
third and fourth sets rather handily.
with the exception OF Murray. all OF
the players in the International tourney
! left for Chicago tonight to participate
| in the national clay court championship
| there