New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-13

VI QCi'
The women's singles advanced to the
semi-fnal round, with Miss Helen
Wills, of California; Mrs. Frank God
frey, of Longwood; Miss Leslie Ban
croft, of Longwood, and Miss Martha
Bayard of Short Hills, N. j. gaining
the brackets. Mrs. Godfrey and Miss
Wills will start their match tomorrow
afternoon at 2 o'clock, and Miss Ban
croft and Miss Bayard play their
semi-final at the same hour.
In addition to all this activity, the
women's doubles were pushed forward
into the semi-fnal round, and the
mems doubles to the point where only
seven teams are left. The mixed dou
bes event also got under Roadway.
Richards, in defeating James D:
Ewing, at Go, GO this afternoon,
showed the best tennis Of the day, in
my opinion. The junior national
champion appears to be gaining ground
with every match, and each day should
see him hitting the ball little harder,
a little truer and with bit more
confidence. Richards, who is playing
his first grass court tournament this
season, has now got the "feel" of the
turf, as contrasted with the clay court
surfaces. The man who wrests the
the battle of his tennis career.
Service Under Excellent Control
Richards was figured to defeat young
Ewing handily enough, but it was not
so much the fact that Ewing could win
which Richards played, that was worthy
of note in this match. The defending
titleholder had his topped service un-
der excellent control most of the time,
and he followed in behind, confidently
and speedily, to smother Ewing's rather
slow, defensive returns.
You will travel the world around
and then not discover a greater master
of the volley than this same Richards.
Some of the low volleys that be
brought off this afternoon were moth
ing less than marvels Of stroke tech
nique. The ball came over the net
at most disconcerting angles and so
far up in the forecourt, that Ewing
was generally making headlong dives
in attempts to get his racquet into
position for the return.
Richards varied these tactics by
standing in back court and sending
over understood drives that gave his
opponent lot Of difficulty because OF
the skdding bounds, and there were
other occasions when the Junior cham
pion used the straight, fat hit drives
for passing shots down the side lines
or across deep court.
Rice is liable to stir up q hornets
nest for Richards tomorrow, and any
thing is possible the way the Longwood
man was playing to-day, when he put
out Phil Neer, Of California, in short
order, with the sets going at 81, 6-2.
Neer never had chance against the
aggressive, slam bang attack of Rice,
who was playing all his shots we'll, but
was particularly effective when he had
worked his way past the service court
lines, there to cut off returns on the
volley, or by forceful, we'll placed
smashes when he caught the ball over
head
Neer Lacks Confidence
The Boston stars service also
helped him materially, being so strong
ly in behind the ball and treat Neer's
returns with scant courtesy. The
Young Californian has been suffering
from a strained ankle for the last two
or three weeks, and perhaps 1T was this
that caused him to abandon his usual
rushing type of play. He seemed to
lack confidence, and his shots were not
coming of with their customary effect.
Tilden romped through his match
with little Charley Wood, Of New YORK,
winning at e--3, e. and appearing to
thoroughly enjoy the spirited opposi-
ton offered by his juvenile ,s opponent tpa mt
tionaf champions height. Occasionally
Tilden let out on a bullet" drive or
terrific smash, while the gallery gasped
In admiration. and at such times Wood
looked to be out Of his depth
The junior, however, played remark
ably well, both from back court. and
when he charged in to volley, and the
fact that he was playing the great
Tilden never feazed him. You would
have thought he was merely trying out
a candidate for his school team.
Miss Wills, who has been winning
all her matches by impressive scores,
repeated to-day in taking the measure
Of Miss Dorothy Van Slyck, at 60,
60. The California schoolgirl Is get
ting more dangerous every day, and 1t
is a delight to watch her play her vol
leying shots and put the ball away
on an overhead stroke.