The New York herald., 1921-09-15
TILDEN YIELDS ONE
SET TO LITTLE BILL
Dynamic Attack Of Tennis
Champion Proves Too Much
for Johnston.
WILLIAM MEETS MASTER
J. O. Anderson Of Australia
Records Startling Result
in Five Sets.
ny SAMUEL J. BRooKMAN.

ny SAMUEL j. BRoOKMAN.
spscio, Despatch to THE New YoRK HraLD.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 13.--William M.
Johnston's hopes OF regaining the ma
tional tennis championship went glim-
nering here to-day before the dynamic
attack OF William T. Tildcn I'd, title
holder. A valiant. gritty fight on the
part of the little Californian proved OF
no avail against an opponent who was
stronger physically and who had the
necessary speed in reserve to answer
every stirring rally with one more STIR
ring and more powerful.
Before a gallery which rivalled that
OF the recent Davis cup matches in size
and enthusiasm, Tildcn triumphed in
three sets out OF four. 4-G. 1-5, 6-4,
6--3.
1t was. as everybody had reason to ex-
pect, a brilliant match. Not so replete
with thrills as their never-to-be forgotten
championship tussle OF last year at
Forest Hills. but marked by enough tense
situations and dazzling strokes to keep
the onlookers' nerves tingling with MIN
gled excitement and delight. 1t saw
Johnston fighting against fatigue and
against Tilden with the same dogged de-
termination that has come to be asso-
ciated with his game; saw him take a
well earned set from a Tilden who was
playing near the top of his form, and
saw him within two points OF the second
set. only to fall as the champion bobbed
up with an exhibition of superlativc ten
mis-.
Little Bill Lacks Speed.
Tilden seemed to gain power and dar-
ing with each set, while Johnston, lack
ing his customary speed and stamina
he has not been in the best Of health Of
pend more on defence than attack. 1t is
not with any intent to belittle in the
least a really glorious victory for Tilden
that the fact Of Johnston's comparatively
poor physical condition is mentioned. On
the contrary. Tilden played s,:perbly,
and 1t Is doubtful whether Johnston at
his best could have made much moro
headway.
The champion always appeared to
have sufficient speed in reserve to turn
the tide in his favor. The fact Is, how
ever, that the Californian's game at
times appeared lifelcss In comparison to
that OF Tilden. At those stages it was
only his splendid generalship, excellent
choice of shots. exceptional control and
pluck that kept him dangerous.
Mention might also be made OF the
fact that when Johnston was so close to
making the score two sets to none In
his favor only the most daring sort OF
stroking on Tilden's part and one or
two unfortunate breaks checked him .
that when he was within point Of
making the score 5--3 in his favor In
the third set q net cord shot followed
by another equally heartbrcaking cost
him the game that eventually, as mat
ters turned out, would have given him
the set
Loser Comes From Behind.
They were hard points to lose coming
as they did in each case after the Cali
fornian had given all he had to gain a
slight advantage. Time and again
Johnston had come from behind when
the score was 40 love against him and
had placed the games TO his credit. 1t
was uphill work which was aided by a
tendency on the part OF the champion
to play too daringiy. to take too many
chances. for a series of spectacular
passing shots had given him the lead.
In his characteristics style Johnston
steadied remarkably whenever he had to
and his whipike forehand drive coupled
with some superb volleying and smash
ing al the net won many a critical game
for him.
to-day had enough sensations and thrills
to last them for the rest Of the cham
pionship events Just preceding the
Tildcn-J Johnston match came the most
startling upset OF the tournament when
r. Norris Williams Cd, favored to reach
the title round In the upper half OF the
draw, went down to defeat at the hands
OF James 0. Anderson OF the Austria
lasian Davis cup team, whose tennis was
u revelation.
Considerably off stroke at the start
and unable to find himself in the face
of whirlwind attack on the part OF the
-Australasian. Williams dropped the first
two sets. Then followed two sets OF
brilliant tennis In which the former ma
tional champion appeared to be strik-
Ing to victory. lie was stroklng de-
csively. moving up to the net with
great speed and cutting off rallies in his
most approved style. And then came
the flfth set, c~terInined effort on the
part o. the Antipodean. another streak
OF unsteadiness on the part OF the Amer
lean and finally triumph for Anderson
by score OF 6--3, 6--3. 2-6. &c.
6--4.
Tennis Appetite Whctted.
The excitement of tho williams match
only whetted the appetite OF the gather
ing Tor what was TO come. The crowd
showed that its nerves could stand the
strain and the thrills could not be served
fast enough to please them
Johnston got the jump on Tilden at the
start. breaking through service in the
frst gamo and holding the lead until
the eighth game. when the champion.
assisted by an untimely double fault,
forced the Californian TO yield his SER
vice game. Johnston came right back
and broke through again In the follow
ing game. this time at love. lie sus-
tained his attack In the tenth game and
took the set at G-4 after Tilden had
led him 40--f5. Again In the second set
Johnston won the first game by breaking
through service. His lead went 10 2
love. and then TIlden reused himself.
stroking daringly. playing the lines with
amazing accuracy and sending the ball
through with great speed, the champion
TOOK three games in row and for the
nrst time In the match had lead.
Johnston. although tiring, fought on
tenaciously. broke through again In the
seventh game and finally reached the
point when two winning strokes would
give him the set. Tildcn, however,
raised his game to the height OF its
power and effectiveness and not only
checked his rival but took another three
games in q row and the eet at rs.
Shortly before the close of the get an
acroplane sailed over the tennis arena
and tho