The sun., 1919-02-25
DOUBLES CHAMPIONS
REACH SEMI-FINALS.
Tilden and Richards Beat
Gibbons and Beard in
Philadelphia.
spectl pe.patch 10 TIE srs.

PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 24.--The much
heralded semi-nnal round match be-
tween Vincent Richards, the sixteen
year-old national doubles champion. and
Wallace F. johnson, the great chop
stroke player of this city. did not take
place to-day In the playing of the Mid
die States covered court tennis tourna-
nent on the roof Of the Wanamaker
Building. Richards was due at the
courts at 10 o'clock noon. but a stalled
engine between New York and Phila-
delphia kept the little champion an un-
willing prisoner until long after the
hour set for the match to begin.
johnson will face the New York
schoolboy tomorrow afternoon at
o'clock, while in the other semi-nnal
bracket William T. Tilden I'd. Richards's
PARTNER in the holding of the national
doubles title, will take on Frederick B.
Alexander, famous as a Davis Cup
player a few years ago. and still rated
one of the most dangerous players on
the courts. This match will begin at
AS o'clock. The final will be played
next Saturday afternoon according to
the present plans.
While Richards did not get the oppor-
'unity TO play in the singles this after
noon. he and Tilden went into the semi
firal round OF the mems doubles by a
Charles N. Beard at Ga. IS. 6-1.
Gibbons and Beard Banned.
The champions were not any too anx-
ious to extend themselves to the limit In
this match. playing at top speed only In
flashes In the first set Gibbons and his
partner were keen to win, however. and
by some very clever volleying In the
second set and some great court cover
ing won the set and brought the match
even.
This state Of affairs seemed to rouse
the national title holders and they began
Keeling of shots that thrilled the gallery
| and completely baffed Gibbon7 and
Beard. Richards sent the ball SIX mining
through every little unprotected spot In
the opposite court, while Tilden, scoring
on terrific service aces, spectacular
smashes and dazzling crossed art shots
for placement aces, soon settled he issue.
Craig Biddle, paired with johnson, en-
tered the round before the semi-f finals
by defeating H. w. Hanna and c. NJ.
Harlan at Ga. 81. johnson was in
rare good form in this match, playing
the ball with so much cut on 1t that
Hanna and his partner experienced great
difficulty in making their returns. Bid
dies fne volleying, even from deep
court, was one of the features OF the
| play. the veteran internationalist back
ing up his partner strongly at every
stage.
Tflden Beats johnson.
! T!lden played more tennis yesterday
| than any two men on the courts Rich
ards and he were scheduled to begin
their doubles match at noon. and when
/ Richards did not appear Tilden. to sat
: tEF, ~
had braved the chilly winds on the roof
/ for the opportunity of seeing Johnson
face the New York stripping. began q
series OF singles matches with anybody
| who volunteered.
| The tall Ph!ladelphian played a total
OF fourteen sets during the afternoon,
playing against Gibbons and Beard as a
! team when he ran out of singles op-
ponents, Only one set did Tilden lose
in these warming UP matches.
Johnson. having appeared ready to
play Richards, consented to play an ex-
hibition three out OF Ave sets with
Tilden. and although he forced the latter
to his limit TO win, was defeated by a
score of e.. SIS. ca.
The summaries:
MsG. Midi stats 4,,..S siGt', Fourth
and Brown won from Osborne and Mar
tin by default. Craig Biddle and wal
lace r. Johnson defeated II. w Hanna
and C. NJ. Harlan. 6--s. 6--1. William T.
rilden "a and Vincent Richards won from
II F. Dornhcn and J. Fischer by de
fault; Paul W Gibbons and Charles ".
Beard won from p. and J. 81. Vanns-
Second RoSnd-T,ld.n and Richard.
defeated Gibbons and Beard. 6--+. sc.
De La SHllc t?SI, St Peters (l0.
won from kumagae and Taylor ~ de-
fault
Special Exhibition sinEles-william T.
Tilden I'd defeated Wallace F. Johnson.
4