New-York tribune., 1920-05-26
Choice for Cup Team Lies
BetlUeen Garland and Hnrfe
Committee to Announce
Selection of No. 4 Man
To-day; Johnston Stars
By Fred Hawthorne

Ihere was more grooming for the
Davis Cup matches yesterday, down at
the West Side re. MS Club, at Forest
Hills. William NJ. Johnston, Of Califor-
MIA, the little national champion, being
the object of special attention on the
part of Samuel Hardy, the international
team captain. This afternoon it is ex-
pected that William T. Tilden I'd, Of
Philadelphia, will unleash his strokes,
either in singles match with the ma
tlonal champion or in a doubles match,
with Johnston on the other side OF the
net.
Neither Tilden, Charles S. Garland
nor Richard Harte went to Forest Hills
yesterday, Garland being back at his
studies at Yale University and Tilden
and Harte taking a needed rest. In
connection with the last two players
want to say q word in explanation of
their showing on Monday, when both
were defeated, Harte by Garland and
Tilden by Johnston.
1t is true that Garland defeated
Harte in straight sets at 6-3, 81,
but the fact should not be lost sight
of that Harte has been very sick
man for the last three or four days,
and hence has not been able to do
himself justice in any of his matches
during this period.
Harte Not in Condition
Garland and Harte were supposed
to play a five-set match on Monday
but the Boston player was "all out"
after two sets, so much so that on one
occasion, when stopping for low half
vol!ey, he was SO weak that he could
not rise to his feet again for a couple
of seconds. Under the circumstances
it is surprising that Harte was able
to do as we'll as he did against the
deadly placing and cool generalship
Of Garland.
With three or four days of rest ard
recuperation, Harte should show d
game at least 25 per cent stronger than
Hills Up to date. He should not be
judged on what he did in these Church
cup and test matches
In the case of Tilden, when he played
Johnston on Monday afternoon, and
was defeated by score Of 6-1. 60,
this was not fair comparison Of their
relative strength. Tilden, who is al
ready bit too fine in physical con
dition, went out on the court unpre-
pared 10 put up match game Of ten
MS. He wore the regulation clay court
'sneakers.' and made practically no
attempt to so to the net against the
with "feedng' Johnston with practice
shots for fore nd back hand drives and
overhead play. Certainly, he made no
serious effort to go out for his points,
generously contenting himself with
giving Johnston every opportunity to
polish up his strokes.
Johnston Requires Work
This does not mean that the national
title holder is not IN wonderful play
ing condition at this moment, particu-
larlv when it is remembered that this
is barely more than the beginning Of
the outdoor season. Johnston can un-
dergO two or three weeks OF hard work
yet, and still not be in danger Of going
stale, but the terrific pace" with which
he is hitting the ball, and his all-round
work on the Forest Hills courts indi-
cate that he Will make a wonderful
showing IN the struggle for the Davis
Cup.
The Californian worked out yester-
day with Hardy, playing three sets,
during which the Davis Cup team cap
tain played the sort of tennis best cal
culated to give Johnston needed prac-
tice. Rarely has the champion hit his
forehand drive with more speed, and
his severe overland volley was a
Weapon Of ofense that won point after
point. Between now and June 4, when
the Davis Cup team sails for England
on the Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, the
California wonder should be getting
pretty close TO his best form.
Hardy told me yesterday that the
Davis Cup committee, would hold