New-York tribune., 1920-09-04


e-4, Is; Johnson vanquishing Clar-
eEce ]. Griffin. of California, by a score
of 6--1, 6--3, 2-6, 6-4; Tide. elimi-
mating young Walter Wesbrook, Of De-
troit, at 6-3, 8--6, 6-1, and Gamer
defeating the veteran Irving c. Wright
by score of 6-3, Ga, 6-2 in the
round before the semi-fnal.
There is rot one chance in a hun
drea that Johnston, the little Cali
fornian. will not overcome the tall
Gamer this afternoon and gain his final
round bracket, but there Seemed to be
some difference of opinion regarding
the scheduled meeting between Wallace
Johnson and Tilden, the worlds cham
pion.
Johnson Disappoints
Some were inclined to believe that
johnson would at least extend his
famous rival to the limit, while others,
end they were in the majority, believed
that Tilden would take the match in
straight sets and then 20 on to win
the championship on Monday.
Johnson and Tilden have met fire.
quently, both in tournament and prac-
tice matches, and Tilden has generally
come out on top. But the chop stroke
artist usually manages to force the
issue to four or five sets, and he may
do the same thing this afternoon, but
personally | favor Tilden to win by a
safe margin.
The matches yesterday did not come
up to the same high standard of play
that was observable on Thursday, ex-
cept perhaps in the case of Johnston. !.
who was very impressive against Wash
burn in the first two sets and the latter
half of the third.
Johnson played sound tennis against
Griffin, holding the upper hand almost
from the start, as he literally chopped
the Californian into defeat After
losing the first two sets Griffin steadied
and won the third, and then worked
into lead of 43 in the fourth set,
only to drop the next three games for
the set ana match after being appar-
emily on the verge of squaring the
match.
An unfortunate decision by lines
man, who called one of Johnson's deep
drives good" when it was plainly sew.
eral inches out, as Griffin was leading
By 40-15 in the ninth game. was suffi-
cient to upset the chubby Californian
who lost that game and then the next
just when it seemed that he was about
to square the match by winning the
set.
"Peck" at Disadvantage
Make no mistake about it, Johnson
played beautiful tennis yesterday, and
it would have taken Griffin at his very
best to stop the Quaker Peck" was
at disadvantage from the start in
handling his returns of Johnson's
crafty chop strokes, the low, deceptive
bound of the ball raising havoc with
the Californian's own strokes.
1t was not until the third set that
Griffith appeared to have solved the
secret Of taking these chop strokes of
Jehnson's. and then he took the set in
easy style, forcing the net position at
every opportunity to cut the ball off
before it could bound.
But Johnson proved an exceedingly
dangerous man to take chances with
control of his shots and nicked the
lines time and again for passing aces
as Griffin tried to gain position at
the net. The national doubles cham
rion improved as the match progressed,
and had he won the fourth set he might
have made it very interesting for john
son in the fifth session.
Johnson deserves a world of credit
fcr his work in the tournament, hav-
ing done all that was required of him.
1t is quite within the range of posi-
bil!ties that Johnson may extend Til
den TO the limit of five sets this after
noon, but look for the worlds cham
pion to win and once more challenge
Johnston for the national title.
Wright, who had surprised every
body by his advance to the round be-
fore the semi-hnal, had to succumb to
the aggressive net attack Of the tall
and energetic Gamer, the latter win
ming n straight sets as he smothered
Wrights chop strokes by taking the
ball on the full vollcy at the net po-
stion.
Many Spectacular Shots
Tilden enjoyed his match against
and seemed to take delight in bringing
on spectacular shots for the edification
o. the gallery. But Wesbrook played
the game for all there was in it, and
in the second set he forced the issue
to s--all before Tlden could break
through and win the last two games
Tor the set. In the final session the
Wimbledon hero uncorked wonderful
burst Of speed, allowing his opponent
only one game out Of seyen.
Frederick 3. Alexander, the veteran
Davis Cup star, sat in the umpirc's
chair when Johnston and Washbus s1
oeHdn tneIr match on the NO. court
and his instantaneous and clear enun-
cation Of the score did much to keep
the interest Of the big crowd keyed up
There were at least 1000 persons in
the stands, including the famous and
pulchritudinous Lodewick twins, the
Misses Mildred and Madclane, when
the first ball was served.
Washburn started the service anc
won the opening game, placement
down the side line and service ace
helping in the scoring, but then tho
champion got going and captured the
mex. two games, Washburn finding il
hard TO keep up with the Californian
hard-hittinx attack. Service did not
count for much in this first set. John.
ston breaking through his opponent
Tour times and Washburn three times
between the second and tenth games
Johna.on was very cautious abou'
e!osing in at the net position at The
Start. In the face Of Washburn's deadly
accuracy on passing strokes, first max
inz sure that his path had been blastec
sarou9h this power Of his tremcndou,
,,cIshand drives. He attempted to worh
ss way into the volleying position two
er three times In the early stages, but
FOUND himself being passed by sizzling
oIiyss, and thereafter stayed back unit
certain of his openings.
After the games had reached AL
Sohnston broke through Washburn''
ssrv'es ss the latter served two
eeabls-faults and then lost the las!
POINT a. the champion ripped terrific