New-York tribune., 1919-05-04
By Fred Hawthorne

Robert Lindley Murray, the national
champion, met with defeat in his first
appearance this season yesterday, in a
special exhibition lawn tennis doubles
match on the clay courts of the West
Side Tennis Club, at Forest Hills, Long
Island. With Harold A. Throckmorton,
of Elizabeth, as his partner, Murray
played S. Howard Voshell, former ma
tional indoor champion, and Walter
Merrill Hail. Middle States title hold
er and the latter pair won by score
of &c, 6-3. 7-5, showing superior
ity all the way
The day marked the opening of the
season for the West Side Tennis Club,
and before the stars went on the court
in the doubles match there was sim
giles exhibition between Frank 7. An
derson, the youthful Long Island and
North Side champion, and Harold L..
Taylor, national junior champion. An
dcrson won at 7-9, 60, 6-1. outplay-
ing his opponent completely in the last
two sets, although in the first Taylor
because of his excellent volleying, held
command. AS soon as Anderson had
gained better control of his strokes,
however, he made rapid Roadway
against the junior champion, making
his openings with powerful drives
through deep court, and then going to
the net to finish off his points by vol
leying.
Players Lack Practice
Weather conditions for the opening
day hardly could have been more
auspicious. There was an almost en-
tire lack of wind, the clay courts had
been groomed into splendid condition
by Mike, the head groundsman, and the
sun was so warm that the large gallery
fairly basked in its rays. The quality
of the tennis, however, could not COM
pare with that of the weather, nor
was this surprising, when we consider
that none of the players had had much
chance for practice, particularly Muir
ray and Throckmorton.
As always when Murray plays, there
was great eagcrness to see the famous
California Meteor" in action. There
is that in the national champions
game IN his engaging personality on
the court, that draws the crowds much
as the great Mclaughlin used to do,
but yesterday Murray was far from
his best. There were occasions in the
match when his low volleying and his
tremendous smashing brought to mind
the Murray who humbed Tilden in
the final round Of the national cham
plonship singles at Forest Hills last
September; but, on the whole, the "Me-
teor" was inclined to wi;dness, and
the fast pace of tho match had it's
effect IN slowing him up toward the
last
Upon Throckmorton, however, must
be placed the responsibility for the
defeat. The New Jersey player is
geared to such sigh speed tension that
only exceptional control will keep the
ball within the court once he gets his
racquet on it. This being his first ap-
pearance nobody expected Throckmor-
ton to curb his customary tendency
and he did not dlsappoint in this re-
spect.
Spectacular Plays.
Spectacular kills" of lobs, almost un
behevabiy difficult backhand gets" and
dazzling cross-court volleys were thinly
scattered through the most glarine
errors and many, many times Throck-
morton tossed away points that looked
second before like almost certain
points for his side There was this
encouraging feature about his play yes
terday, however, he did his best work
you will see different Throckmorton
one who seems destined to make dea
of trouble for the first ten' clan this
season.
Of all four players in the doubles
match the work of Hall stood out. He
was shade more reliable thar Voshell
who was travelling at fine pace him
sell. The Middle States champion hac
his powerful forehand drives ripping
"a
pace" and fine control and he handled
the lobs OF Murray and Throckmortor
IN mastery manner. Of course, there
were many errors, yet Hall was dis
tinctly above early season form.
Voshell backed his partner up splen
didly in the pinches, particularly in tn,
last yoileying exchanges at close quar-
ters, and overhead he was almost a,
reliable as Hall. But the real secret O
the defeat OF Murray and Throckmor
ton lay in the smooth team work o
VosheH and Hall. They forced the ne
at all times, in spite OF the efforts O
Murray and Throckmorton to driv
them back by lobbing, and the latte
pair came to grief frequently When
they attempted to pass. Hall and hi
partner rarely clashed on the cour
or got their signals mixed, wherea
Throckmorton trespassed upon Muir
rays territory far too often.
The order Of service went as follows
Murray, Hall, Throckmorton an,
Voahell. An indication of Throckmor
toms wildness is shown by the fac
that ne dropped his own service fou
times out Of the seycn he toed tn
servers mark, and lost one Of Murray
deliveries through his errors. Hall los
only one service and Voshell nom
at all.