The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1920-09-02

The Two Bills Have Stiffest Sort
Of Opposition in Fourth Round
Matches in National Tennis
Tourney at Forest Hills To-
Day.
By William abbott.

Johnston and Tilden
w will clash in the finals for the
national tennis title will de-
pend chiefly on tho outcome Of the
fourth round to-day. Before the ia
vOrites advance any further in the
tournament they must remove two
formidable, menaclnE obstacles. TIL
den must dispose OF Vincent Rich
nrds, the boy wonder OF the courts:
Johnston encounters the problem OF
subduing X. Norris Williams, twice
national champion.
Outside the "Blg Three" Richards
Is no doubt the most dangerous per-
former in the championship. Although
specially coached by Tilden. the
youthful sensation has unlimited con-
fidence that his game is superior to
Tilden's. Only last week at South
hampton RichArds defeated Tllden in
doubles-really made the tall Phla-
delphian look like a novice. On sew
eral occasions the boy wonder has
demonstrated that Tnden's tremend-
Gus speed and assortment OF shots
have little terror for him.
Tllden, however. Is bent on winning
at Forest Hills. He Is keen about
adding his home title TO the one he
shared abroad. No matter how con-
fldent Richards may be- It Is our pre-
dlction that Tllden will be playing In
the tournament tomorrow, while
Richards is viewing proceedings from
the grand stand.
The Johnston Williams encounter
should be real battle. We believe
tho little Californian would rather
meet rilden than Williams, who IS
practically inVincible when at the top
OF his game. That the Boston star IL
not far away from this condition was
evident during his match yesterday
with Willis +. Davis of San Fran
cisco. williams. a slow starter. lost
the FIRST set, his usual procedure.
Davis, a tremendous hitter, was put
ting so much stun on his service that
Williams had difficulty handling the
fast ones. Davis scored numerous
aces in the opener. The Davis Cup
representative began to solve his OPP
ponents service In the next set, and
Davis was slowly driven back to the
base line.
When he is right there ure mighty
few who can successfully exchange
deep court drives with Williams, and
Davis yesterday was not one of them
It was apparent that when his fast
service failed to score Davis hadsTery
with, passing shots, williams took the
| second set, "a, and repeated in the
third set. In the final set much of the
sting went out OF the CalifornianS
returns. Williams having an easy time
winning, So At the end Williams
was considerably stronger than at the
start Of the match.
Niles was far from being easy pick
ings for Bill Johnston. The, little
champion had a gala time in the
opening set with his powerful fore
handlers and free hitting that, kept
Niles on the hop most Of the time
MANY OF the Bostonian's returns were
soft, easy ones, which Is no way to
check Johnston. Niles, veteran OF
many tournaments, changed tactics
II in the next set. He heightened out
his returns and managed to keep his
Opponent from his menacing position
lin mid-court. Now Johnston from
the base line was different PROPOSE
ton. His long drives didn't have
their usual accuracy. Many balls
went into the net, which materially
assisted Niles winning 1O-s.
Niles, who covered his court well
succeeded in putting Johnston on the
defensive at the start of the third set
Johnston, as II realizing the serious
ness OF the situation, promptly got
busy at this stage and sprinted w
near the net at every opportunity
The little californian is at his best
when in mid-oourt. The champion
neatly blocked many of hia ODponent's