New-York tribune., 1920-01-04
ChampionBeats
Out Runner-Up
In 3-Set Match
Frank Anderson and Vet
eran Cragin Advance With
17-Year-Old Title-Holder
By Fred Hawthorne

The feature match In the annual
7th Regiment Tennis Club champion
ship tournament. that began yesterday
afternoon on the board floor courts Of
the armory, at Park Avenue and Sixty
sixth Street, was the meeting between
Abraham Bassford Sd. the playing
throughF champion In the singles, and
Samuel Robert McAllister, runner-up
last year.
History repeated itself, for Bassford
won, by score of go, 6-S, 81, in
a struggle that kept the men on the
court for more than two hours. Meal
lister came strong in the last two sets,
and after squaring the match by the
steadiness of his play from back
court, put up fierce fight for the
honors in the third session. Games
went on service up to 81 in Bass
ford's favor. At match point McAllis-
ter served double fault, thus throw
ing away all chances of winning the
title this year.
On the face of things it looks as
though young Bassford, who is only
seventeen years old, will have far
championship this year than was the
case in 1919, for the quality of the en-
trants in the present tourney is far
higher. Both the brilliant Anderson
brothers, Frank T. and Frederick c., are
entered, as we'll as the veteran Arthur
S. Cragin, several times q holder of
the title
Frank Anderson won his frst-round
match with ease, defeating T. A. Bruno
at 6-1, 6-1. Fred drew default in
his opening match and did not get into
action. except for couple of practice
sets. Both Of these youths are consid-
cred dangerous contenders for the
title now held by Bassford.
Cragin and Ewing Win
William B. Cragin jr.. former ma
tional indoor champion and veteran
on the board courts, proved that ex-
perience is big factor by overwhelm-
ing young Michael Macksoud at 60,
Go in the opening round. In the only
other Glass A match played yesterday
]. D. Ewing defeated f. c. Coughtry at
GO, GO.
The entry was small in Class and
only two matches were played. Harold
Moore eliminated Hugh L. Follett at
Cd, 1-6, Cd, and A. Castle Postley
defeated S. G. Russell at 60, GO.
The tournament will continue during
the week.
Bassford was the quicker at swing
ing into the full speed of his game
when he faced McAllister. and soon
Last years runner-up could not get
the range of the court accurately
Enough to score consistently with his
deep drives, and this enabled the
champion to force the net at times and
finish off the points by clever volleying
After taking the opening set at go,
Bassford discovered that his opponent
had only been doing "John Paul
JONES'" in other words. McAllister had
just begun to fight.
Puts Up Plucky Fight
Every point was bitterly contested
in the second set. McAllister kept his
rival away from the net by driving
through deep court, placing the ball
close to the side lines, and the cham
pion found it risky to charge for the
barrier as he had been doing in the
early stages of the match Well timed
lobs to the base line fooled Bassford
often, but even so, he managed to
bring the games to 6-a1l before Nc
Ailister broke through service and took
the set at 8-6.
No quarter was asked or given in
the last set and both men continued
to WIN on service. Bassford's delivery
was more deadly in execution, the bali
having great speed, and McAllister
never had much success in trying 70
handle it.
1t was the champions erratic play
ing that allowed his opponent to keep
on even terms, however. After taking
his own service in the fifteenth game,
Bassford won the match when Nc
Allister drove out at "deuce." and then
made double fault on the final point.