The New York herald., 1921-10-31
TILDEN DEFEATS
RICHARDS Ga, 6-2
Youthful Star, However, Plays
Brilliantly Before Large
Home Gallery.
BY SAMUEL ). BRooKMAN.

BY SAMUEL j. BROOKMAN.
Before an admiring gallery Of 2,5OO
tennis fans in his own home town Vim
cent Richards. youthful tennis prodigy.
played two scintillating sets with Will
fam T. Tilden, worlds champion. at the
Amackassin Club of Yonke-s yesterday.
He lost them both, ca. s---2. but in so
doing gave his home folks = fair sample
of the, brilliant play that has brought
him out into the front rank Of racquet
wielders in this country. There were
thrills every minute Of the tussle. with
Richards contributing just as many OF
them as his world famous opponent.
Yonkers made quite an event Of this.
the last of the exhibitions for the bene-
fit Of the Fund for Devastated France.
Richards had not appeared on a home
court since his startling defeat OF Tilden
at Providence last July. and his admir-
ers were anxious to see the pair in ac-
tion again. particularly after the many
close matches they had waged recently
on their exhibition tour. Long before
the stars took the court several hundred
automobiles. which had brought the bulk
of the gathering. lined both sides of Pal
isade avenue and every point of, van
tage around the tennis court area was
occupied. Around two sides OF the main
court spectators sat and stood four and
five Deep The weather was remarkably
mild for so late in the year and had a
great deal to do with the splendid at
tendance.
AS an appetizer r. Norris Williams.
former national champion. and his fell
low Bostonian, Nathaniel w. Niles.
H.. rafc fta
first of which went to Williams. at GO.
and the second to Niles, at IS. Will
Jams, as usual, was the aggressor who
attacked at the net. and Niles his Gus
tonary steady self After a brilliant
first set Williams's stroking grew bit
too daring and errors resulted that gave
Niles the second division Of play.
Fast Daring Tennis.
Then the Tilden- Richards match, a
fast exhibition. in which both stars
wasted little effort at playing the ball
safe, but stroked for a winning point on
every return. There was skilful manoeu-
wiring on both sides of the net ard dar-
ing dashes to the forward court that re-
suited in an abundance of volleying
Tilden's chief superiority lay in his
greater severity OF stroke and service.
|
| then with terrific speed, and it was re-
markabIe how easily Richards handled
| most of them. The youths returns. how
ever. lacked pace and Tilden by follow
ing his forcing shot to the net was able
to defect the ball for an earned point.
With speed in the champions favor
Richards had TO depend on his accuracy
of placement, change of pace and amaz-
ing getting. Some of the youths re-
coveries were phenomenal. His volley-
ing at all times was up to his best
standard and his daring kept Tilden
on his toes, but from first to last the
champion was master of the situation.
He always had plenty in reserve when
needed Tilden showed some wonderful
placements off the back hand. first
cross court, then side Iine and toward
the end employed chop stroke that
baffled. The match gave Tilden every
opportunity to try out his full stroke
assortment, but he had TO play his most
serious tennis to stay in front.
First Set Is Close.
break through service in the fourth
game of the opening set gave Tilden
a lead of al. but Richards retaliated
and brought the score to 3-all and
then ALI. In the tenth game Rich
ards was three times within n stroke
of sail. but missed his opportunity
and Tilden took the set at ca. In
the second set Tiiden lost his service
once, but Richards had to yield his
three times and the score ended 6--2.
In q doubles match that wound up
the programme Tilden and Richards.
national doubles champions. defeated
williams and Niles two straight sets.
but were hard pressed in the first.
The score was 81, 6-2. Richards's
play topped even that OF the worlds
title holder in this event.
With Tilden as auctioneer urging the
gallery to bid for Richards. Yonkers
and France" Richards racquet brought
s55. Tilden's was purchased for like
amount.