The Washington times., 1922-09-02

CENT TNlCIldTuS anu uO1eh SOuhb
Americans, now in the course OF
tennis evolution, will come on to
carry the banner.
The tennis resources Of America
are unlimited. Added to it's su-
periority in population is the fact
that 1t takes up all competitive
sport In a systematic way and
its series Of boys tournaments
throughout the land is laying the
foundation for It's tennis future.
Right now a score of boys playing
tennis are just a step or 10 out
side the ranking list.
There may be some doubt
about the result OF the doubles
match today when Tilden and
pion Patterson and Pat O'Hara-
Wood, even though the Ameri-
cans defeated this pair In the
final Of the national doubles .
few days ago. But in the two
remaining singles matches, to be
settled Monday, there should be
no doubt.
Excepting the first two sets of
the Tilden-Patterson match, in
which the Australian leaders
service was as brilliant as the sun.
shine, the challengers were classed.
Even in these two sets. with a
thought. not to rob Patterson OF
anything, Tilden did not seem to
be always doing his best. He
A1 90 lat n Na ~
play his own game and then arise
to the heights to beat him, to pre-,
vent him from taking a set.
Had Tilden employed as serlsa.
tional a category of shots In the
first two sets as he threw in the
third and final set, which he took,
one feels that the match would
have been over sooner. AS 1t was
the crowd was thrilled by the all
round sensational play, and was
kept In doubt as TO the outcome
until big Bill" cut loose In the
third set.
"Big Bill was on his game. and
IT was a game that was uncanny.
He arose to the far heights. 1t
seemed apparent to all that the
match not only means the defense
of the famous trophy, shining In
the sun only a few yards from the
players on a stand, but also that
II was a question of individual su-
premacy Of players In the world.
Captain Patterson, through his
victory at Wimbledon in the all.
comers tourney last June, came
into this title, for victory is 80 con-
sidered. But Tilden is his master,
tndisputably.
The play Of Patterson was an
improvement over what he was
shown here In other years, very
much so, and he played super
tennis. Yet, Tilden's was beyond
that height. He was never more
brilliant In his famous career.
Patterson's well.known inaccur-
ate backhand seemed improved too,
particularly in the opening set.
but Tilden played it fast and &C.
curate until 1t broke. down under
the bembardment. and Tilden
profited greatly on his opponents
weakness with II on ground strokes.
Many believed Patterson could
have done better by not following
his service to the net, but no one
could entertain that 1t would by
any manner or means have changed
the verdict. Patterson has not the
finishing volleys to play the game
close up, while Tilden had every
thing.
He was brilliant in everything.
beyond understanding even. while
Patterson shone only In his service.
His Carrying Of length was beauti-
ful today, as he employed a snappy
chop stroke from both fore and
back hand, but he had nothing that
puzzled Tilden to any extent.
Little Bill Johnston slaughtered
"Big Jim" Anderson. Tho little
San Franciscan's speed-and he
did not call upon 1t fully, either
had Anderson all at sea. The lanky
Australians back-hand is weak like
his captains. 1t is weaker. He
has only a defensive push with It.
Also. he volleyed poorly and did
not follow up, while in the back
court he was far out-classed by the
stinging drives Of Little Bill"
This player was expected to
shine. Critics Of his game in
practice lauded his performance.
His showing was q big disappoint-
ment. His fOrehand slap drive
was the only real thing he
showed. And he could not time
this consistently to Little BilPs"
smashing speed.
This match, after the Patterson
Tilden thriller, was so one-sided as
TO make the great crowd listless
The remarkable thing about 1t was
that Anderson should have fallen
off so abjeotedly on his highly.
praised game. Perhaps, the psy.
chology Of having so much rest on
him, following his captains defeat,
had something to do with 1t.
The crowd was a colorful one and
numbered $4,000. The stands were
crowded to capacity. II was a
crowd whose behavior was a tribute
10 the game, to the occasion, so i'm.
pattial was II in its cheering. The
day was beautiful with a warm sun
and a slight breeze, which ruffled
the many flags set at the top Of
the stands.
Once again, the Davis Cup had a
most colorfui chapter written in it's
long annals.