The New York herald., 1921-05-31
RICHARDS'S TENNIS
MOST CONVINCING
Youth Outshines GKumagae,
Whom He Meets in Semi
Final To-day.
BY SAMUEL j. BROoKMAN.

FINAL To-Day.
BY SAMUEL j. BROOKMAN.
Standing head and shoulders over the
rest OF the field in the Eastern New York
State tennis championship yesterday
were Ichiya Kumagae and Vincent
Richards who fought 1t out In the title
round year ago. They played the sort
OF tennis that delights the eye OF the
critical fan and keeps the gallery ever
on edge in expectancy OF spectacular
stroke. OF the pair Richards was the
most convincing at the Amackass!n
Country Club yesterday. He was all
over the court, making all sorts OF spark
ling gets and carrying his attack to
the net where his volleying and over
head smashing were remarkable for
their accuracy and finality. Hes play
ing like streak" was the comment of
more than one enthusiast in the gallery
and there was no exaggeration In the
remark.
AS matter of fact despite his triumph
in three matches yesterday. in one Of
which he defeated Leonard Beekman
Go. 6--4, 1t will behoove the Japanese
star to play better tennis to defeat Vim
cent Richards to-day. They are coupled
In the semi-final round. Kumagae was
keyed up to his best tennis pitch against
Beekman, but against Albert j. Osten-
dorf in the third round and Morton
Bernstein in the fifth the Nipponese
gave indications of being somewhat
overtennised. He has been playing con-
tinuously since the season opened down
South In the early winter. and when he
has not been engaged In tournaments he
has been giving exhibitions against op-
ponents OF high rank. Kunlagae even
in his present form. Is a DANGEROUS oppo-
nent for any player, but no has been
taxing his strength too much. and a rest
would do him no harm. He admits 1t
himself.
In the first of Kvmagae's three con-
tests yesterday Albert j. Ostendorf, who
rates nowhere near him in ability. forced
him to a 9-7 set. Ostendorf deserved
credit for an aggressive, hard hitting
game that was coupled with excellent
control, but Kumagae at his best would
have smothered the New York Tennis
Club player without any trouble.
Inexcusable Errors.
Against Beekman, Kumagae managed
to call on his reserve speed whenever
he needed It, but made startling mex
cusable errors and his famous loop drive
lacked its customary sting. Fortunately
for him Beel<nan was unsteady at criti-
cal stages. The Japanese's lack of form
was just as noticeable in the fifth round,
in which he opposed Morton Bernstein,
the youth who held the national boys
title few years ago. Bernstein's speed,
hard driving and tremendous service
gave the japanese considerable trouble.
Kumagae was fatigued at that stage OF
his days work and depended more on
his skill and all around generalship to
win. His manoeuvring was too much
for Bernstein and he scored at GO,
Cd.
Richards In four matches TO date has
scored four love sets and a total OF 4s
games to 2 for his opponents. Leon
Croley was the only one to score against
the youthful tennis star. taking one gar1o
in each set. In the fifth round match
yesterday Walter J. Toussaint, q capa-
BILE player, was helpless before the
speedy net attack and versatility OF
Richards. His best shots were smoth-
cred on the volley and he dropped twelve
games In a row.
Besides Kumagae and Richards there
are four survivors for the title. They
are Allen Behr. Vanderbilt b. Ward.
Alfred u. Hammett and Hugh Oakley.
Behr created Somewhat of a surprise
by defeating Herbert L. Bowman. 6--2,
3--6, 6-3. The latter did not take
kindly to Behrs lobbing and change OF
pace, which broke up the effectiveness
OF his drive. Hammett came through
after three victories, in two Of which he
was carried into extra sets. one against
l.. Gwynne French and tlse other against
Jones w. Mersereau. Before meeting
kumagae in the fifth round Morton
Bernstein. who is advancing rapidly as
@ tournament player. eliminated Cecil
Robinson In order--an excellent days
work.
The Summary.
ship singles-Second Round---M: Bernstein de-
feated Cecil Donaldson. 2-6. 6-i, g.;
Charles Chambers defeated II. w. Gilmore,
Go, 6-2: Hugh Tallant defeated II. II. Rob-
er,s. G--3. 6-2; Hugh oakley defeated A. l..
Biltchik. Cd, 50; Alfred II. Hammett de-
feated w. s. Pearce, 62. Go; L. G. French
Third Third Round-merbert G L. Bowman defeated
l.. w. Knox. Ga, Sc, g-3: Leonard Beck
man defeated n. n. Golden. e-2. 6-i: Leon
Walter J. Toussaint defeated II. v. Lake,
fb--s. S--i; LeslIe v. Robinson defeated y.
II. Drake. o.. a-8. e-s; N. Bernstein de-
ago S'ea defeated "a ID Albert J. ostendorf 90, 81;
Alfred p. Hammett defeated l. g. French:
ca, 0-1, g.; James d. Ewing defeated
Charles Chambers, e--5, 30, Cd; Hugh
Oakley defeated Hugh Tallant. G-2, 20.
6--f.
Leon Croiey, g-f, al: Walter J. Toussaint
defeated ". j. Mclaughlin, G--f. tt--o;. N.
Bernstein defeated L. V. Robinson, So, 6--s,
Beeltn,an. 90 CO; Allen Bchr Defeated
Herbert i. Bowman. ca, s-S, 6-3: Wander
bill, y. Ward defeated A. NJ. Hyde, 6-f.
e-2: Alfred II. Hammett defeated Jones w.
Mersereau, 3-s, ca. G--2: Hugh Oakley do
feated James n. Ewing, 6-4. 4-S, 6-4.
Fifth Romd--fchiya Kumagae defeated NJ.
bernstein, e--2, e.; Vincent Richards ds.