New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-24
Brooklyn MAJ,
In Star Role
OnClay Courts
Tilden Beats Richards i'm
Singles Match by Score
of 90, Is, 6-3
By Fred Hawthorne

BROOKLYN, city Of churches and per-
.mbulators, has been bitten by the
lawn tennis germ, particularly that
,art Of the borough known as Flat
bush. which accounts for the fact that
,oms five hundred persons turned out
Yesterday afternoon to witness the spe-
,;al exhibition matches on the clay
.a.rts of the Terrace-Kings County
Ternis Association, at Avenue J and
Tsst Seventeenth Street. Flatbush.
william T. Tilden I'd, national in
door and North and South champion
and member Of the Davis Cup team;
Vincent Richards, former indoor and
nstional doubles title holder: S. How
ard Voshell, Metropolitan champion,
and Ichiya Kumagae, of Japan, Florida
and Cuban champion, were the players
who performed upon this occasion of
the official opening Of the season at the
club courts.
The fact that Tilden was making one
Of his few remaining appearances on
American courts before going over
seas next Saturday with the Davis Cup
team was undoubtedly the lure that
drew a goodly portion of the gallery,
yet it was Noshell whose work stood
out most prominently yesterday. In
the doubles match between Voshell and
Kumsgae, pitted against Tilden and
Richards, the first named was the dom
inant figure al through the struggle
There were periods, particularly in
the third and fourth sets. when Tilden
and Richards, in turn, flashed tennis
that showed US the supreme heights of
skill with racquet and ball. But in
the main it was Voshell's tremendous
hitting overhead, coupled with his un-
usual steadiness, in spite of the count
less chances he was continually taking,
and Richards by score of 60, 6-3,
10, IS. 6-3.
The work OF Kumagae was not Of
such sensational nature as that of
the other three players, for Ichiya was
kept busy guarding the back of the
court most Of the time, but the little
son of Nippon was only a shade behind
yoshell in effectiveness. Many times
he tricked Tilden for the points by
driving at wonderful pace with heav-
lily topped ball that dropped sharp into
midcourt, catching the Philadelphian
half vay up to the net
doubles match. Tilden defeated Rich
ards in singles struggle, the sets 60
ing at 2-G, ID, 6-3. The tennis
was dazzling in the brilliancv with
which both men brought off rare vol
leying shots at rema rkable angles.
The total of games showed Tilden with
only single game advantage, and
every point was fought out at sizzling
pace. The indoor champions service
was q deadly attacking weapon, the
bullet" delivery and the high bound
ing reverse twist being used alter
nately. Richards did his best work
from his favorite volleying position in
side the service court lines, and Tilden
had need of all his wizardry to pull
out the match.
In the first two sets of the doubles
match the former national doubles
champions, were very~erratic Tilden
was plainly not concentrating on the
game, and his mind seemed to Be else
where, perhaps at Wimbledon, where
he will face the greatest players of
Europe next month. However, in the
last half of the match the Philadel-
phian and Richards went after the
points in earnest, and then twas rare
battle for victory. In the final set
Noshell and Kumagae steadied down
after. aeriod of temporary unrest
and batter out their points by ire
mendous smashing and driving.