Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-05
JOHNSON WINS NET TITLE
DEFEATS WILLIAM T. TlLDEN
IN THREE STRAIGHT SETS
Victory Of WHY Little Californian
Gives Him second Leg on Chnm-
ponship Tennis Bowl.
[Ry Associntcd rrcss.1

4.-William NJ Johnston. OF San Fran
cisco. won the national turf tennis
featins Villain r. Tilden. H.. of rhla-
dclphia in three straight sets by
scores OF ca. 6-4. 6-3
Johnston's victory gives him a sec
ond leg on the championship bowl, the
san Francisco player having won the
1915 championship from Maurice Me
LouChlin on the same strip of turf
where he won his title today.
Johnston was forced 10 play super
tennis in defeating Tilden. using every
stroke ut his command and every atom
! of court strategy before he could elm
mate the tall Philadclphan. The
match which was witnessed by a gal
lery OF more than 5000 spectators was
filed with long rallies. sensational gets
and terrific service. which kept the
spectators on their feet throughout the
entire match.
California is again supreme as the
home Of the worlds greatest tennis
player for the season OF 1919.
Plays Ip 10 Standard
In eliminating the towering rhila-
dclphiau by scores OF Ct 6-i Ga
Johnston placed himself upon tennis
pinnacle seldom reached by racket mas
ters. With Tilden he was the sole sur
vivor OF l2S players who began the
struggle for the title on August -
The new champion in winning his
latest honors played fully up TO the
high standard necessary TO clinch such
an honor. It is doubtful if Johnston
or any other tennis star has ever shown
a better all-round game from both the
standpoint OF strokng and court
strategy.
This too, in tho face OF the s,irest
opposition that he has over faced for
Tilden did not go down TO defeat with
out demonstration OF remarkable
play Yet, great as was the Philade!-
stamina there was no; the slightes;
question when the last shot had been
scored that Johnston was the master
that both the game and point scores
appeared to indicate.
Declares Him Champions.
Johnston, who is not quite twenty
five years OF age. stated after the
match today that he felt that he had
never played better tennis at any time
In his career. As he expressed it, he
felt like a champion" T!lden cor
roboratcd this statement when he said:
Il have never faced better tennis in
my life. Johnstons game was abso-
lutely unbeatable today. He is GER
tainly champion in every sense OF the
word"
In analyzins the match it is hard 10
discover a single weakness in the ten
mis-. OF the new iitle-holder Notwith
standing that he is but i've feet nine
Inches. as compared 10 Tilden's height
of over six feet, and weighs less than
1870 pounds, The terrific speed of Til
den in both service and volley did not
for moment nuster the victor.
Brought UP on the hard courts of
California where speed is the great
returned shot for shot and service for
service with Tildcn without asking the
slightcs, odds. Although every point
was bitterly fought and numerous err
rors recorded in the constant chance
taking efforts Of the two players TO
| md an opening through which TO
{ drive winning point, Johnston was
always the Stcadler.
1 Johnson Agile As Cat.
With his cat-tkc agility ne was
MS racquet until he had maneuvered
T!ldcn into position where he could
'rackle out an unreturnahic placement.
ace When the i'hiladeiphjan was able
10 secure stand at the barrier John
sion would slide the bal! down the
side lines Just on; OF his. reach.
mamen; OF the National Lawn Tennis
Association was concluded with two
minor matches, IN which /. G. Ander-
( H. Chaplin and son o: Springfield. in
| The final round OF the father and son
doubles. while another Anderson boy
teamed up Win Donaldson for a New
double Championship, defeating Neyr
and Richards.
Exhibition Mntchc, To-day.
matches between the all-Amcr!can and
all-AuSiral.an teams will begin In
these matches THden and Johnston.
Norris Williams II, q: Boston and
Wallace Johnson. OF Philadelphia. Will
oppose Norman B-Ookes, Gerald Pat
ier sc!' H. ', Thomas and Randolph
l-yceit IN series OF singles and
doubles contest.
summary national turf course sing
les s.. anal and championship round:
William NJ. Johnston. san Francisco.
defeated William T. nldcn. Philade!-
ahia. ca. Ct S-3
summary junior national champion
snip singles, final round.
Y: richards. ionkcrS, y. v. defeated
II, CAapin. IT. Springfield
summary veterans national cha m :
EeaES or Older, final round:
clarence hobart, Alexandria Bay. y.
/ !" defeated +. .. Anderson. New Yorh