New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-04

PEELED to literally dig" it up from
the floor on the half-volley.
Of course, the boys whole game
time the last set began Richards's de-
tense was shot to pieces and Tilden
romped through the set without a halt,
except IN the third game, which Rich
ards took on his own service.
The greatest crowd that has ever at
tended a national indoor tournament
in this city was banked in the gallery
seats when the singles match began,
the court was a pretty sight. Ser
geant Ben O'Brien, official marker Of
the playing surface, had exceeded him
self IN laying out the court for yes
terday's matches. The lines were
painted in glazing white, as straight
and true as though done by a machine.
Even the net posts and the top tape
had been painted white, so that, in
spite of the rather poor light, every
thing stood out in sharp relief, a
great help to the players.
Both Tilden and Richards came out
arrayed IN maroon sweaters over their
shirts. Richards wore a large, white
F." the emblem of Fordham Prepare
tory School, of which he is a pupil.
King Smith acted as umpire and every
line was covered by a lineman.
Fine Start by Winner
Tilden started the service and took
the game at Glove" crashing the ball
over the net at dizzy speed. Time
after tim in this set he scored clean
aces against Richards eleven in all,
| think it was), and the champion was
not able to even get his racquet on
the ball at times. In the three sets
Tllden made eighteen service aces. an
unusual thing in championship tennis.
They went along winning on service
up to 4-all, and then Richards won The
ninth game, when Merrihcw called a
footfault on Tilden at a critical point.
But the man from Providence took the
next two games by wonderful volleyine
and deadly smashing, and always was
his service a devastating weapon.
Richards held his challenger on ever
terms through the greater part Of this
set by his splendid volleying, shooting
his returns through very small open.
1ngs in Tilden's court, and the ex,
changes between the two we're thrilling
and aroused the crowd to bursts OF
applause.
But after Tilden had won the opening
set there was a noticeable falling off il
Richards's play. The %schoolboy seemed
10 1eel that every move ne mad WheT
serving was going to bring him a pen
atty, and, once he was unable to ge'
into his volleying position quick,
enough, he was helpless against hi
great opponent, for Tilden was goin(
like the wind and hitting with more
power and certainty than l had seer
him do since last summer.
Loses on Double Fault
An illustration Of the degree tc
which Richards was affected Is shown
by the fact that ne lost the final point
OF the match by making d double fault
IT was a hard way to lose Il Champion
ship.
Against Hardy and Voshell, Tilder
and Richards were always faster anG
more brilliant, but in the last set they
both tired badly, as the result of theil
singles struggle in the morning
Voshcll and Hardy broke through
service in the seventh game and there.
after held the one game advantage W
to 81, when the defending champions
gathered themselves together for 8
final effort and took the last three
games.
As In the final games Of the Garlic,
match, the losers were defeated az the
result Of double fault, Hardy being thu
nNcndcr