The New York herald., 1921-08-21
Williams and Washburn, Davis
Cup Pair, Have Tilden and
Richards as Rivals.
TWO OTHER TITLE EVENTS
Americans Strong Favorites to
Retain international Trophy
Singles to Start Sept. 8.
BY SAMUEL j. BRooKMAN.

Is over. DuL three more titles remain 70
be decided There is the national dou-
bles event which starts tomorrow on
the courts Of the Longwood Cricket
Club in Boston, then the international
tournament for the Davis cup in which
either Australasia or Japan is to chal-
lenge America in the cup round and fin
ally the national singles at Philadelphia
from September to II. SO despite the
fact that tennis interest already has
exceeded that of any previous year, the
climax Is still to be reached
Because it provides the greatest ele-
nent of uncertainty the national sin
giles probably will attract the greatest
interest of the tennis public. Before
the season was well under way the
opinion was general that the event that
stood out this year was the Davis cup
tournament. and SO it did up to the
present, for twelve nations fought 1t
out for the privilege of meeting the
American cup holders. and never before
had there been more than half that
number of competing nations. But now
that the list of foreign teams has mar
rowed to two, there is a feeling Of SUI
prerne confidence that while it will take
championship tennis to retain the inter-
national trophy. America fortified with
such tennis stars as William T. Tilden
I'd. William NJ. Johnston. Watson NJ.
Washburn and Norris Williams. has lit
tie 10 fear.
There was bit of uneasiness when
q month or so ago William r. Tilden
returning from too strenuous a cam
paign in foreign countries gave every
indication of being out OF condition. He
had lost weight. looked tired and played
without anything like his customary
speed and dash. Fortunately Tilden al
though loath to remain out of tourna-
ment play needed the advice of the
American tennis officials and took a
much needed rest. He has little cause
70 regret having done so. Out at For
est Hills all last week the worlds ten
mis- champion looked more rugged and
in practice played with more vim and
effectiveness than any time since he won
the national title from William NJ John
ston at Forest Hills a year ago. He
condition TO be almost certain Of win
ming both his singles matches in the
Davis cup challenge round.
Johnston Is Dependable.
As for the always dependable Will
lam NJ. Johnston of California, It need
but TO be mentioned that most COM
petcnt critics figure him an even choice
with Tflden in the national champion
snip next month. The former title
holder played a bit erraticaIly IN his
first tournament in the East-at New
port--but he has his own ideas Of work
Ing up gradually to his best form with
the title tournaments as his objective.
and he showed by the way he bowled
over top ranking players at Seabright
recently that he is near enough to the
TOP OF his game to flash it whenever
the occasion requires.
Nothing definite has been announced
az 70 the team that viii play the doubles
match for the United States in the chal-
lenge round, but it is almost certain to
be Watson NJ. Washburn and r. Norris
Williams I'd. winners Of the Newport
and Seabright tournaments Thus far
tney have beaten every prominent team
that has opposed them and they are
likely TO repeat in the national cham
pionship which opens at Longwood to-
morrow. 1t would not surprise If the
former national championship team Of
William T. Tilden I'd and Vincent Rich
ards checked their victorious march, but
whether they do or not, Tilden and
Richards cannot under any circum-
stance be Americas doubles team in the
Davis cup challenge round.
In conformance with the rules the
United States Lawn Tennis Association
already has named Tilden. Johnston,
Washburn and Williams as the defend
ing team and no changes can or should
be made. Besides the Davis cup COM
n1ittee does not care to burden either
Tflden or Johnston with three matches
on three consecutive days. 1t will be
Tilden and Johnston in singles and WILL
Jams and Washburn in doubles.
There Is no intention OF conveying
the impression that neither Australasia
nor Japan has chance in the coming
challenge round. On the contrary 1t will
behoove Americas cup defenders TO be
at their best in every match and play
at top speed all the way. and there Is
the certainty that every match will pro-
vide as many thrills as the most exact
ing tennis fan at Forest Hills can de-
mand. The Americans. however, will be
strong favorites. and rightly So
Title should stay Here.
With the representatives of seven or
eight nations in the field the national
championship singles at the German
town Cricket Club should furnish some
memorable tennis matches. Some of the
foreign racquet wielders will not be
easy TO eliminate. but for reasons al
ready given the title should stay here.
Tennis fans are hoping that the luck
Of the draw viii place Tlden and john
ston In opposite halves and that for the
third time in as many years they viii
meet In the title round. Their sensa-
tional FIVE set battles at Forest Hills a
year ago will live vividly In the MEM
ories Of those who were fortunate
enough TO be present. But to reach the
final they will have to be keyed up to
their best tennis pitch practically all
the way. for there are others who are
not conceding anything TO the two lead
ing contenders.
Following the national doubles cham
pionehip at Longwood this week the
Davis cup players win have eleven dayS'
rest from competition before the inter-
national cup matches are played They
:. kin appear in several exhibitions on the
turf courts OF the Crescent Athletic Club
at Bay Ridge where the metropolitan
grass court championship Is TO be de-
cided beginning next Sunday The lat
ter event. furnishing as IL will the last
Tournament before the national cham
pfonqhtp Is expected 70 attract come of