New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-02

tremendous service ace that sent the
ball squarely down the center line for
clean pass.
The second game went to the Cali
fornlan, who was charging in to the net
with tremendous rushes, smothering re-
turns as he came. Then Williams, with
an appearance Of nonchalancc that was
belied by the extreme accuracy Of his
placements, brought the score all even
again.
Davis tried to catch his opponent out
of position by chopping short into fore
court, but the Davis Cup star fooled
him by taking these shots on the half
volley. and shooting the ball back SO
fast that 1t was Davis who was being
caught wide of position.
1t was very fast tennis and Davis was
putting up a notable bid for the lead.
but all his speed and hard hitting could
not hold Williams in check, and the
Californian was always troubled by the
way the former champion was shaving
the net and the lines Davis could not
afford to take chances and let anv of
these returns so by, for almost every
time he did it was to find that viii,
Jams had scored placement ace.
Davis Takes Ninth Game
After the games reached Sail Will
Jams went along at an undesirable pace.
running into a 5-3 lead. Davis won
the ninth game with. great burst of
aggressive voileying, and then held the
tenth and last game.
Here, however, Williams brouoht
gasps of wonder from the thousands in
the stands by Keeling off a bewiledring
series Of placement shots that had
Davis diving madly and Intellectually
after the ball. Williams won the game.
giving him the third set, at 60.
Davis was beginning to show signs
OF wear as they started the fourth set.
The Californian had been doing
terrific amount of court covering az
he kept on the. run after Williams's
returns, but the former champion
simply added more speed as they
neared the finish, and now his service
was remarkable for pace and uncannv
accuracy.
In the third game Williams scored
four service aces in row, varying his
attack on one delivery by making the
ball break so sharply to one side that
Davis had to run wide of tho service
court to get his racquet into position.
and then sticking the ball straight
down the center on Daviss backhand
on the next service.
Dying hard. Davis saw Williams
move smoothly. and unerringly into an
overwhelming lead and finally take the
set at 30 for the match. The last
point came as Williams shot a splen-
did service ace through the Caiifor.
mans court.
One thing that impressed me- in this
match was Williams's apparent coma
dence and good spirits. On one coca
sion, as ne was. about to pass the balls
over to Davis for the service. the for
mer champion playfully kicked a bail
that. was lying in the center Of Tho
court high into the air, as q punter
would boot a football on q try for y
goal from the field. The crowd an
plauded Williams's dexterity and Dick
smiled in gay acknowledgement
Johnston found Niles going at his
very best pace, and the result was a
splendid exhibition Of deep-court driv-
ing. have not seen Niles play better
tennis within the last four years, but
even 50, 1t was always question as
to just when Johnston felt that he
needed the points.
Tho champion was hitting the net
quite too often on many Of his ground
emily, he could tighten up and gain
reached . point just inside the service
court lines were wonders Of severity
and stroke execution.
And now the stage fs set for what
may prove to be the zenith Of the tour
for the results that are
reached this afternoon may completely
change the outlook from what It was
when the players began the great strug-
gle.