The New York herald., 1921-07-17
Japanese Star Impresses in
His First Match at
greenwich.
A BAY OF SURPRISES
Miss Florence Ballin Loses to
Mrs. Hitchins and Dean Ma
they to Hugh Kelleher.
BY SAMUEL j. BRooKMAN.

tereSt to-day was the initial appear
ance Of Zenzo Shimidzu, the Japanese
tennis star who arrived the other day
TO play in the international Davis cup
tournament. Shimidzu displayed his
tennis wares before a large gallery
and lived up to all the fine things
that William T. Tilden I'd and other
critics have said of him. Showing un-
usual severity of stroke, backhand
that was equally as good as the fore
hand. quick decision in choice of shots
and rema rkable agility in court cover
ing. Shimiozu won his opening round
contest in singles. defeating Dwight
p Robinson of last years Harvard
. team, 6-3, 6--4.
There was no questioning the high
caiiore OF his tennis and those who
looked on could understand readily how
he came to reach the British champion
ship final a year ago. II his game has
any weakness 1t was not noticeable TO-
day unless IL is the comparative lack
Of speed in his service. II Is a variety
OF reverse twist service. but does not
carry sufficient sting 10 give an op-
ponent much trouble. Considering the
fact that he gets great pace into his
forehand and backhand and that what
ever volleying and smashing he does is
crisp and speedy. IL is rather difficult -
understand the lack of service SEVERITY.
His forehand Is most impressive. He
gets his shoulder into every stroke and
Its speed. control and top spin make 1t
q most effective shot.
Soft Courts n Handicap.
shimidzu bly, made more errors
than he is accustomed TO, but II was
due largely to the poor condition OF the
turf. which had been soaked thoroughly
by the thunderstorms of yesterday.
Often the ball bounded so low that II
had TO be dug out of the ground At
other times the sphere. striking bumpy
bit Of tuif. PLAYED queer pranks and 1t
was difficult TO gauge II properly. OF
course Dwight Robinson encountered the
same difficulties. but the point is that
they prevented Shimidzu from showing
AT his best What he did exhibit, how
ever, was more convincing than any
other performance shown during the
day, and ii will behoove the rest OF the
stars. including Charles S. Garland of
last years Davis Cup team. Leonard
Beekman and Theodore r. Pell to play
topnoich tcnhig 70 beat him OF extend
him. Garland appears to be the most
dispose Of
Shmldzu began by winning four
straight games, playing almost entirely
from deep court. Occasionally when he
saw an opportunity for a decisive stroke
he came up a bit. usually taking a posi-
ton in midcourt. from which point he
smashed and volleyed with precision.
He was exceptionally good in taking
ball over his shoulder and smashing 1t
through for placement. He does not ap-
pear to depend as much on strategy as
his countryman. Ichiya Kumagae, trust
ing more to control and speed of stroke.
But he Is just aggressive as Kumagae
and II anything little more So
Robinson. a capable player, managed
to check ShimldZus succession Of games
after the score had gone to 40. The
Harvard man won three of the next
four. thanks to his great getting" and
a bit OF erratic stroking on Shmidzu's
part. But the Japanese won the set
easily enough. 6--5 In the second set
Robinson managed TO win four games,
three of them after the. score had gone
to deuce. He was driving with great
speed and keeping Shimidzu on the jump
After the Nlpponese had taken a lead
OF al Robinson rallied and eventually
brought the score to As, but somehow
Shimidzu always looked like the winner
and gave the impression that he could
md more speed and strategy II the oc-
casion required.
Garland Is Extended.
II was a day Of surprises in both mems
q and women's singles. The first came IN
Miss Florence Balin's decisive defeat at
the hands of Ms. c. " Hitchins OF Mexico
city. the second in Hugh G. VI Ke.eher's
triumph over Dean Mathey in three
set match. the last set of which was
won at love. and another was the diff
Guilty Charles s. Garland experienced in
eliminating Alex Iler. who not only took
set from the Davis cup player but led
&c In the third set Preceding all
these startling results came a splendid
singles match between Miss Eleanor
Goss and Mrs Edward w. Raymond re-
spectively NTH and sixth in national
rank. which was won by Miss Goss after
an interesting three set tussle II was.
in short. one Of the most eventful tennis
Gays in the East this season.
Garlands failure to win more de-
cisively over Her may be accounted for
by the fact that he has played in very
few tournaments this season. II was
his first time on grass and he is evi-
IDENTIFY in need OF practice He gave
flashes. however. of great skill. and bids
fair TO come along rapidly. Hers
sizzling. sharp breaking service bothered
him considerably and had great deal
70 do with keeping the score close Her
also showed far better control than
usual II was interesting tennis all the
-=y with Her showing greater speed
and Garland superior court generalship
Mrs Hitchinss victory over Miss Bal
lin was doubly surprising. because she
dropped the first set. 60. Miss Balm
appeared TO be expending too much ef-
fort in the first set. playing too aggres-
81 ~ racing all over the court and
strokIng with q finality that made Mrs.
Hitchins's chances appear hopeless. The
second set, however. found Miss Ballin
pretty tired. and with fatigue came a
loss OF control that proved costly. Mrs.
Hitchins. employing her always effec-
tive chop stroke and placing II steadily.
turned the tables completely In the sec
ond and third sets. Forced 10 meet |
the ball low. Miss Balm drove time
and again into the net OF lifted the ball !
TOO far out Of the court. In the first |
she had come TO the net frequently and |
had voleyed Mrs Htchins's returns for |
placement. but in the second and third |
sets Mrs Hitchins passed her time and 1
again and won easily, 6--l. c-i.
Miss Gosss tennis was none the lees
convincing because she had TO go three
sets 10 beat Mrs. Raymond. for the lat
~ was ~ her best playing well up TO
htf tennis ranking Accuracy and court
usora Nro navr.orafa ~r..tx.t