Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-09-04
JOHNSTON, CALIFORNIA,
DISPLAYS CLASSY TENNIS
Waded Through All Corners in
Straight Heats Into Semi
flnAIy

FOREST HILLS. n. Y, Sept, g.
William NJ. Johnston ably demon
stratcd his ability on tho courts as
tho holder OF the national champion
ship title in the singles here today.
mastering all OF the blistering speed
OF his famous forchandcrs. Johnston
literally carved his way into the semi
final round Of the thirty-n ninth. all
corners singles in straight sets.
The famous Californian, who held
the top string place on the Davis
cup team. overwhelmed Watson NJ.
, MiaSh9 Thc sc9 NO: 49, Of the ranking
II Was mastcrful performance.
Johnston's ilghtlng in the rallies was
the best that he has shown in the
great tournament. lie was master OF
pace and length. with the result that
despite the stubborn resistance of
Washburn. the champion made his ad-
g. Colkct Gamer. the Harvard star.
won In the same half with the title
h ly. Gamer defeated Irving C. c;
OF the round. G-3. Ga. CO.
In the lower half OF tho round
William T. Tilden. H., the hero Of
Wimbledon. conquered Walter Wes-
brook. Michigan State champion.
Wallace j.. Johnston. the wizard or
the chop stroke. defeated tho Californ-
IAN. IIhicNcc u. tFluln. b-I, 10. 80,
ca. This was the only encounter OF
the round which was fought through
an extra set. Johnston's game WIN
Washburn offered the outstanding
battle. Johnston made II evident that
he was to force his speed to the
limit. So fast and furiously did he
use his celebrated forehanders as TO
back washburn Il yard or two behind
| his base line. The fact that the for
mcr Harvard star was able to do as
position Is to his credit, rs few. play
ers would have been successful In
lighting for full length sets under
similar conditions.
ing was Of defensive character. lie
tried to take the net only to be re-
pulsed by the terrific speed and
When attempted iobbing Washbnrn
often met with slight success. Ills
service was good and this helped him.
| on the whole. he was smothercd, al
| though his porsistencv made itself
| felt in the score. as Johnston was not
able TO win love game against him.
| The champion earned total of TWEEN
/ ~ points on placements and lost SIN
| ty-EiX by his outs and nets. Wash
/ burn won a total Of sixteen points
( seven. This difference OF fifteen points
turned the sets into victories for the
! title holder.
As Johnston came off the court at
I
crowd in the stands, numbering T.
| 900. gave him an ovation which was
the hrst great demonstration Of the
/ tournament.
/ Tilden was regarded az having 4
set UP" against Wcsbrook, as the
latter was known 10 be scarcely up
/ 10 holding the famous star of the
/ international forces. The young
/ player. whose style resembles that OF
I Vincent Richards, without its sever
i ity. made AN Unexpectedly good show
ing. He was alert In the rallies. al
/ ways forcing Tilden TO finish of with
, decisive strokes Also wesbrook dis
! played some cleverncss IN forcing
! the rallies on his own account and In
! the final set, his best of the match,
he won several finely managed playe-
ncnts and passes
Wallace Johnson proved that his
| old fashioned chop stroke game is
st!l! possessed of elements that may
wreck the aspirations OF some of the
playing blind mans BLUM with tho
ball as he tried TO solve the bounds
10 drive. or volley for passes. The
Californian could not solve the rid
die, His lobbing In the third set.
backed by some fast driving. helped
| him TO break the sequence OF his
| opponents score. That was all.
Iohnson's drives found the lines ac-
cuT2tely in the final set scoring the
! !ast three games for the victory
The same admirable conditions of
! turf and weather marked the Hfth
DAY OF the tournament, the singles
/ now being reduced 70 the four surviy-
ors IN It's seminal round.