The New York herald., 1922-07-03
Winners Superb Volleying
and Opponents Errors
Bring Reversal.
BASSFORD BEATS HALL
Seasons First Turf Tourna-
ment Marked by Surprises
Eight Entrants Survive.
BY SAMUEL j. BRookMAN.

In his active tennis career Watson
M. Washburn has been the victim OF
quite a few startling upsets. They
have come generally in May or June
tournaments, for Washburn pursues
his tennis campaign leisurely and does
not reach his rea, stride until the turf
court season sets in on grass he has
always been at his best-so good in
fact that he has twice been a member
OF the American Davis cup team and
has ranked in the first ten half dozen
times or so. At present he rates the
NTH best player in the country.
All this being true, his defeat yes
terday on his favorite turf in the Mas
sau Country Club invitation tourna-
ment came with doubly startling ef-
feet. In a match that saw the loser
as much off form as 1t saw the victor
surpass his usual speed, Washburn was
outplayed by Clarence c. Pell. the ma
tional racquets champion, 7-5. 2-6,
6-3. The result will take prominent
rank among the real surprises of the
season.
Time was when Clarence Pell was
quite a prominent figure among lawn
tennis players. but he more or less de-
serted serious tournament play and has
been seen only in about one or two
sanctioned tournaments a season And
his tennis in those tournaments never
has warranted his being considered top
ranking player. There was no question
ing. however, the decisive character of
the really brilliant net attack he
launched against Washburn in yester-
days match. Except during the greater
part of the second set. in which he was
forced to slacken the swift pace he had
set from the start. Pell was up at the
net in every rally and his volleying was
we'll nigh unbeatable.
washburn Continues Erratfc.
washburn tried to pass him. but his
forehand lacked both speed and direc-
tion. He tried to lob over his head, but
Pelrs smashing was too accurate. Pell
placed his service with good judgment
frequently forcing Washburn wide OF
the court and thereby gaining an open
ing for placement. Washburn continued
erratic, overdriving the base line and
appearing to lack confidence in his low
forehand. He came through with a
promising rally In the final set after
Pell had run into lead of 81. brought
the score to So and was within a point
OF making 1t 5-4 when Pell finally
checked him. The spurt proved just
too late.
In the first set washburn led at A.
and then 5--3 and 5-4. In the tenth
game he was once within a point of the
set, only to be halted by Pelrs aggres-
sive blocking and his own error in q
critical rally Washburn undoubtedly
was very keen to win, for he holds two
legs on the Nassau challenge cup whicf
has been in competition since 1913. ant
needed Just one more to own The trophy
permanently. The victory eertainl!
doomed Pell's tennis stock considerably
Another upset, less astonishing thai
the first. but an upset nevertheless
came In the defeat of Walter Merrill
Hall. not so long ago in the select circle
OF the first tennis ten. at the hands
OF Henry II. Bassford, who was a semi
nnalist recently In the metropolitan ella,
court championship. Hall started i'm
pressively. placing with good judgment
and won the first set at 6--3. He wa
the first. however. to feel the effects o
the torrid strength-sapping sun. Hi
speed lapsed late in the second set. an
in the third his control went with
and Bassford, maintaining fast pace
won by quite a decisive margin at thu
end. The winners steadiness and hi
stamina were the leading factors in tn
unexpected triumph.
Six Players Survive.
The tournament was brought dowr
to six survivors in singles. two of then
in the semi-final. Despite the exces
sive heat large gallery was in at
tendance both morning and afternoon
and some truly brilliant tennis wa
served Besides Clarence Pell. those un
beaten in the upper half are Henr1
Bassford. Francis T. Hunter. the nationa
rd paelx
ran, whilo in the lower half the semi
finalists are r. Norris Williams I'd anC
Phil Neer, the erstwhile intercollegiate
champion. Neer, making his first ap
peara ice in the tournament, defeated
Coleman Jennings in HIS first match ant
then surprised the spectators with tri
umph over Frank T. Anderson after los
ing the first set at love.
Fred Anderson defeated Herbert L
Bowman. the New Jersey State title
holder. after two hard sets, Ga. 6--4
and then went down to defeat in a hurr!
before the brilliant play OF n. Norris
williams. VINO allowed him Just on
game ~ each set. Beekman, after los
ing 1f-9 set TO Elliott II. Binzen
found his opponent weakening and man
euvered skillfully to win the second ant
third sets at 6-2, 6-3. Beekman, al
though pretty tired himself. varied hi
attack superbly In the second and thr,
sets. following drive with lob, and lol
with a short cross court return. or
volIey from mid court. and Binzen wa
considerably outguessed. In the frs
set games went on service all the wa.
20 the nineteenth. when Binzen brok
through.
Among the winners In doubles wer
Francis T. Hunter and S. Howard Vosh
ELL Beekman and Hall, Murray Vernon
,,d Alex Her FdWin p I.arued an
Frederick c. Inmnn and the nations
intercollegiate champions, Phil Neer ant
Jim Davies OF California. The Amer
lean Davis Cup doubles team OF las
summer. r. Norris Williams and Wat
son NJ washburn. took their first mattel
by default T