Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-28
VINCENT RICHARDS
DEFEATS CL0TH|ER
New York Youth Wins Cup at
Southampton From PhiIadeI-
phian, Ga, 6-2, 4-6, 60

Southampton, l.. l., Aug. 2s.-vin-
cent Richards's speed and effective net
game proved a bit too much for the vet
eran William j. Clothier, of Philadel.
phia, In the final of the invitation tennis
tournament today, and the youngster
triumphed three sets out of four, Ga.
6.2, 4-6, 60. Throughout the match
Clothier was In full command of his
strategy and he passed the outmaneu-
vered the youngster frequently. making
some startling recoveries at times, but
Richards. with youth. vim and good
control to assist his spirited attack, was
not to be denied. 1t was an inter:
esting tussle all through and the veteran
made a better fight of it than the score
shows, forcing many Of Richards's win
ming games to deuce.
Richards began by breaking through
service and taking a lead which he in :
creased to 3-L He was not coming up
to the net as often as expected. APP
parently he respected Clothier's ability
to pass him or to. lob over his head con
sistently. After dropping his opening
service Clothier struck his stride quickly
and he finally forced Richards to yield
his service in the sixth game, which
made the score Sail. His lob proved
very effective for a while. Richards
did not attempt to run back and meet
the foater on the bound but smashed
overhead and for a while smashed into
the net or out of court for errors.
Clothier went into the lead in the
ing confidence. stormcd the net and
made short work Of the next three games
for the set at Cd.
Clothier was just as steady as usual
and placed well whenever he had an
opportunity to time his shot. The
youngster, however, was beginning to
force him harder and Clothier had to
hurry many of his turns with the con-
sequent loss of control.
Richards was at his best in the second
set and he not only smothercd many
Of the veterans returns at the net, but
set pace that appeared to tire the
Philadelphian. Richards was taking
more chances than in the opening set
and his volleys were going through with
regularity and precision. The set ended
60 in his favor.
Clothier rallied strongly in the third
set, bringing all his skill and strategy
into play, shaving the side lines, work :
ing for the corners and passing Rich
ards with beautiful placements. He
won the first four games in a row,
but the pace he had set proved too fast
and he had to let down. Richards took
advantage of the lapse to force his OPP
ponent and Clothier was unable to fol-
low the ball for while. The young
ster took four games in row /and
evened the score, permitting the veteran
only two points during that period.
However. just when it appeared as
though Clothier had shot his bolt. he
bobbed again with spirited rally,
timed his passing shots perfectly and
won the next two games for the set
at GA.
The veteran was greeted with pro-
longed applause as he left the court for
the usual ten minute rest. He came
back much fresher than he had left and
his strategical placing had Richards on
the jump, but the latter had too much
speed in reserve and his persistency in
storming the net wore down the Phila
delphian. The latter made much closer
fight of it than the score shows, for.
although Richards won six straight
games for love set, Clothier forced
four of them to deuce points.