Evening star., 1922-09-17

Tilden left no doubt In the minds OF
the throng of close to fifteen thousand
, which saw him triumphant for the fhfrd
: ztraight time in play for the national
! honors that he is the king of tennis
Nplayers of the world. 1t is true that
he was tottering on the throne IN the
Early stages of today,s match. but he
las been in tight places before. and,
emergency
With defeat staring him In the fare.
Tilden's play today became almost un-
canny. Once. during rally, when he
was returning almost impossible shots
of his rival. a rooter for the Californian
was heard to shout above the quiet that
prevailed: Its no use, Billy. he's not
human But Johnston, after raising
his hand to demonstrate against the at
'itude of his follower, kept fighting In
most unprecedented popularity. and al
though it was to no avail, he went down
with eolors flying.
Johpston Retains His Smile.
Tilden was given a rousing cheer
when he walked off the court a victor,
but Johnston, who halted for a minute
or two to get enough strength to make
the weary journey to the clubhouse
was the recipient Of a monster ovation
that fairly shook the stands. He car
led that winning smile of his when he
went on the court at o'clock with his
heart set on becoming the owner OF the
title trophy, and he still! wore it when
ne trudged his way to the showers with
hts hopes unrealized. While Johnston
laught against the odds OF a man who
matched his game of tennis and one
who carried the edge in a physical sense
I'd q degree sufficient to bring his down
fall, Tilden also displayed grit that Is
worthy OF a champion. His back GER
t4inly was to the wall i'll that fourth
set, which promised to give the laurel
wreath to the mighty mite from
. California.
Facing this situation. which would
have been sufficient to have tossed most
players over the precipice to defeat, he
played probably the most perfect tennis
nat ever has been revealed in cham
pSonship match. Starting with the
fourth game, Tilden gave an exhibition
OF accuracy and marvellous getting that
doubtless never has been equaled, much
less surpassed. He played super tennis.
taking six successive games with the
loss of only eight point. only five of
which were due to his errors. This was
ae beginning of the end, and although
Johnston battled gamely and valiantly
10 the end. it was evident after he had
dropped this set that he had expended
too much of his physical resources 10
be able to further menace the crown of
tie champion. In the final set, Tilden
was not in danger.
IuOen8 service FACTOR
rildeh's service, of course. played
telling part in his successful defense
Of the title, although Johnston ham
died 1t with great efficiency through
out the match. However, he could
not place it so we'll as Tiiden could
the less speedy service of the Call
fornian. Both men stuck to a back
court game for the most part, it be-
ing apparent that they feared that
forts to reach the net would lead to
= pa ssng shot. by the foe. Johnston
went. up ofteners than did Tilden. but
he seldom got further tnan midcourt,
4 pm where he tore off some of his
y arnous volleys.
Tilden's victory was fairly earned.
70 those who saw his marvellous play
his was fully demonstrated. No
"ther player in the world could have
"onquered Johnston. and it is doubt
fnl whether any one but big Bill
ould have taken set from the
, ;alifornian as he played today. 1t
was no weakness on the part Of
Johnston that brought his defeat.
master met a greater master. 1t is
impossible to vividly describe the
marvelous gets, that Tiiden made.
= ust when None was about to- record
81 placement for Johnston the ball
9uld be seen to be hurtling back
moss the net. not Just a weakly re-
urned shot, but time and time again
or a point.
Big Bill made hve more errors dur
ing the match than did little Bill
IS to 81: but. on the other hand, he
had 32 more earned points--58 to So
and therein lies thes story of his sue
cess and Johnston's defeat
Johnston steaaief at start.
In taking the first two sets John
ston autsteadied Tilden. although he
was outplaced by the champion. LIT
rle Bill was hitting so deep and SO
close 20 the side lines that Tilden
WAS forced into an unusual number
IF, errors. Johnston lost none OF his
prowess Of placing and his mental
faculties were working Just as
smoothly when the tide was going
against him, but his arm lacked the
power 1t possessed in the early
stages and just enough of the sting
was taken OH his shots to enable big
Bill to batter his way to victory.
Tv,ess figures Ntell the story of the
ennis battle Of the age:
First set
E,ls:s; 3sss:,s:. :aa:s -
Stroke aaalysia-- l. 2. y. o.Dr:
Tiidsz. ..............'....'. y 1e q
Johnsten. n..............-..- ~ -
E,is:s: 9sSs:s:.:::: !: t::5...: E5
gtrsks snaiysis- 4. z. =. o.DT:
1Lde1. .........-...,..- .-..-.,l ~
Johasteu. .-. -..... ........-..@o !
Elss.:. I s:e: SE-: