The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-04
WEST vS. EAST TENNIS MATCH
 EVEN THING
Players From This Section, However, Have Made Better Record In the Past Racquet News.

to the members of the Western team named for the East versus West matches next month followers of the courts have attempted to ascertain the exact strength of the invading forces. On the form of previous performances the joint combination from California and Chicago does not appear suffi- ciently formidable to give the players in this section of the country any un- easiness.
 As a matter of fact, one of the critically inclined remarked that 1t appeared that a second-rate team could be named by the East that could reasonably be expected to win on the courts at Cincinnati next month
 The California members of the Western forces include William M. Johnston. Adel Craven and Robert Kinsey. The Chicago members are Samuel T. Hardy, A. L. Green, Jr.. and Ralph H. Burdick.
 So far as the CalIfornians are con cerned Johnston Is the only player whose work on the courts Is known in this section of the country. He stood as the winner of the national championship title on the turf at Forest 6lllS Tn lS1D. 1nTee ytdES prior to that he had first appeared in Eastern championships as boy wonder from the Pacific coast. Hel leaped to a place fin the top 10 in a single season, getting the place of No. to Maurice P. Mclaughlin and R. Norris Williams. Since that year he has appeared in the top 10 every year he has competed in this section of the country.
 Two seasons ago Johnston made a short and disappointing visit to the East. At that time he was far from form and was soon replaced by John R. Strnchan. So far as the records show he has done little since that time. His re-entry to the game and his performances here will be inter esting. for there has never been any question as to his remarkable skill and ability.
 What he may accomplish in the in- tersectional competitions will be closely watched because of the fact that he is likely to continue in the East to compete in the other impor- tant tournaments leading up to the national championship decisions at Forest Hills,
 Robert kinSGy mas been n most con sistent player In the Pacific coast tournaments. He stood as a competi- tor in the Panama Pacific champion ships in 1915. In that competition he was defeated by Ward Dawson at s-2, 6-3, and as Dawson has played here without creating much of a sen sation. it would fairly indicate the approximate form that may be ex- pected of Kinsey.
 In the California State champion ship a year ago. Roland Roberts de feated Kinsey, 6-2, 60. Later on Roberts won the Pacific Coast title. Incidentally Clarence J. Griffin de- feated Kinsey in the Bay Counties final in fairly easy fashion. The rec ords do not contain anything note worthy of Adel Craven.
 The selection of these players from the California contingent has oc- casioned some surprise. It had been expected, according to reports. that there was the possibility of Maurice F.. Mclaughlin again visiting the East. As a popular choice there could not have been anything more desirable for the California Comet has a firm and enduring hold on the affections of the lawn tennis players throughout the country, and many |. have been anxious for him to make another trial at the national title. The fact that he has not been nom mated for the team dashes the hope of his competing at Forest Hills
 Another Californian who has been showing great strength in the Pacific coast events, Mervyn Griffin, a. brother of Clarence J. Griffin, has also disappointed the followers be- cause he has not been named. Grif- fin has won many of the highest hon ors upon California courts. In his way he is the Vincent Richards of the Pacific coast and the desire has been very keen to see him in action against the greatest racquet w!elders In ti,As section of the country.
 Why Mervyn Griffin, undoubtedly one of the strongest of the Cali fornians has not been nominated or some mention made of him in the connection of the international series remains a mystery. If reports are to be accepted at their face value he is easily the equal of William M. Johnston at this time and would add considerable degree of strength to the invading team in the matches.
 This is the first time in the history of the Fest versus the West series of matches, first launched in 1915, that group of Chicago players have been included in the Western team. Heretofore it has practically rep resented a contest between the Pa cffic coast and the Atlantic seaboari The inclusion of Samuel T. Hardy. formerly of California A. L. Green. Jr., and Ralph H. Burdick is an in. novation.
 Hardy is the best known of the Chicago trio. He was rated No. 2 to Walter T. Hayes in the Chicago ranking of last season. Burdick re- ceived the ranking of No. 3, On the national rating of last year Burdick