The New York herald., 1921-09-04
AMERICANS TRIUMPH
in DOUBLES MATCH
RETAIN DAVIS CUP
Williams and Washburn
Beat Japanese Challengers
in Four Sets.
NET ATTACK PREVAILS
Kumagae and Shimidzu
Make Splendid Bid and
Keep Gallery Thrilled.
STORM DELAYS RESULT
Deluge Breaks Over Courts a:
End of Third Set and Halts
Contest Two Hours.
STORM DELAYS RESULT

international tennis trophy will not
add to its record of having travelled
100000 miles in twenty years, for the
American cup defenders by taking the
third straight match from the Japa-
nese challengers at Forest Hills yes
terday became the International ten
mis- champions of 1921.
What happens in the last two con-
tests OF the series tomorrow will be
Of interest. The Npponese have
proven conclusively that. win or lose,
they can make matters decidedly in
teresting for the worlds greatest play
ers. but the remaining tussles can have
no bearing on the possession of the
cup.
In the match that clinched the victory
for the Americans the doubles team OF
r. Norris William Cd and Watson NJ.
Washburn defeated Ichiya Kumagae
and Zenzo Shimidzu three sets to one.
6-2. 7-5. 4-6, 7-5. 1t took four hours to
complete the contest, not four hours Of
play. but four hours nevertheless, and
before the final stroke was made enough
excitement had been crowded into the
afternoons entertainment to satisfy the
most exacting. First came the thrill of
the play itself, swift and spectacular,
though erratic; then the thrill of being
deluged by furious driving thunder
storm. which came with little prelimi-
nary warning just as the third set OF
the match was completed. Finally the
experience Of waiting nearly two hours
under the dripping gNndstands. watt
ing in hope that the rain would cease
In time for the match to be resumed.
1t spoke volumes for the enthusiasm
of tennis fans that Ave or six thousand
were content to take a drenching just to
see another set or two OF play When
after long wait the sun finally broke
through the clouds and the protecting
tarpaulins were stripped off the centre
court, nearly half OF the original throng
was back In the stands, sitting on damp
seats and unmindfui OF their bedraggled
appearance.
Japanese Threaten.
Nor did the storm furnish the last Of
the excitement. The thrills came afresh
early in the fourth set when the Nippon
ese, taking what looked like command
ing lead. threatened to carry the match
into the limit of Ave sets. Kumagae and
Williams returned after the long period
OF delay with show OF aggressiveness
that shook the control Of the cup de-
tenders for a while. Luckily washburn
and Williams, though decidedly erratic.
steadied in time to end the contest In
the fourth set. but It took all the speed
and skill at their command and 1t was
hard work down to the final point
Knmagae ard Shimidzu had the lead
of a. In what proved to be the final
set. They were pitting steadiness and
agility in court covering against the
forceful net attack of the Americans and
we're mannuvring skillfully, driving their
opponents back with lobs and compelling
errors by battling change of pace. The
lobs came so often that the Americans
were kept on their heels with their
racquets swinging high. The United
States pair were playing the bolder ten
mis-, but their control at that stage, as
at numerous previous stages, was far
from good. They persisted, however, in
taking the net position in every rally.
finally won for them at 7--5.
II was a contest that ran the gamu.
of the mediocre to the super-spectacular,
but contest in which interest never
Jagged, for the rallies were spirited and
the pace fast throughout. The players
we're ever on their toes. Each man
brought off passing strokes and mada
recoveries that time and again had the
gallery on its feet cheering In apprecia-
ton. but with the possible exception of
Shimidzu the men were not consistent.
Their game ebbed and flowed. First II
was Washburn who was flashing most
OF the decisive strokes and holding his
game down to the minimum of errors,
then ~ was Willismss turn to show TO
but neither of the Americans
nor Kumasae seemed able to sustain his
most brilliant tennis for more than three
or four games at a stretch. II was in
teresting tennis, unquestionably. but II
was not championship tennis.
Aggressive Attack wins.
In the long run II was the superior
speed Of the cup defending team I'm get
ting TO the net and their more argres-
sive attack that decided In their favor |
Early In the match the Nipponese tried |
the net game themselves and held their
own in many OF the exchanges, Shi- |
midzu coming through with some bril- |
liant volleys down the centre of the
court, but superior familiarity with for
ward court tactics enabled the Amer
leans to force the Japanese on the de-
fensive. SO, for the greater part OF
the match II was case Of the chai-
lengers holding a position near the base
line and mixing drive with lob In an
effort to pass their opponents or drive
them away from the net.
As team the Americans were clearly
superior TO the Japanese, who we're fire.
1uently thrown out OF position Time
and again the challengers intcrfered
with the freedom Of each others strokes
by seeking the centre OF the court at |
tho same time. kumagae was the more |
conspicuous Of the Japanese pair. be-