The New York herald., 1922-09-16
TOP RANKING PAIR
OPPONENTS TODAY
Eliminate Gerald Patterson
and Vincent Richards in
Semi-Finals Tits.
CHAMPION LOSES SET
CHAMPION LOSES SCI
Carried to 4-6, Ga, 6-3, 6-1 by
Anzac-Californian Victor
at 8-6, SO, 81.
ny SAMUEL J. BROoKMAN.

Johnston; between these two tennis
Titans rests the national champion
ship just as it did in 1919 and again
in 1920. Between these two old rivals,
admittedly the worlds greatest expo
nents of the sport, a tussle is to be
fought out on the Germantown Cricket
Club courts tomorrow that the tennis
world is awaiting with breathless in
terest. That it will be a memorable,
nerve tingling duel Of tennis wits and
tennis power has been rendered cer-
tain by the championship form both
the Philadclphian and the Californian
have shown all trough the tournament.
They advanced in mastery fashion
to the title round yesterday while a
crowd of 10000 marveled at their bril-
lance and effectiveness. at the man
ner in which both men turned back
threatening attacks and came through
with super tennis when the occasion
demanded. Little could Tilden or John
ston afford to let down in the slightest
until late in their matches, when they
had the situations well in hand and
victory within their grasp.
First Vincent Richards electrified the
gallery by a brilliant attack that almost
won him a set against Johnston and
that promised well for the greater part
OF the second set. Then Gerald Patter-
son of Australia, making supreme ef-
fort in his last appearance of the year
on an American court, surprised by
compelling Tilden to drop the first set
and by forcing him to great heights TO
halt his threat and turn the tide.
Glory for vnnquished.
In the emergencies neither Johnston
nor Tilden were found wanting. They
answered one brilliant squirt with a
spurt more brilliant and more effective
and at the end Johnston stood victor
over Richards by Sc. 6---2, 6--1. and
Tilden over Patterson at 4-6. 81, e--3,
6-1. There was glory for the van
quished, even In Richards's case, for he
made a sterner fight of it than the
score indicates. But the supremacy of
Tildsn and Johnston was clearly de-
fined. unquestiona bly, decisive.
Both matches furnished more than the
usual quota of thrills the Patterson
Tilden contest bit more than the
other, chiefly because Patterson for
nearly three-quarters of an hour acru-
ally held an advantage. had Tilden
serious and worried and the crowd
spellbound by the power of his attack
and the rock like steadiness that pre-
vented Tilden from penetrating his de-
fence consistently.
That 1t was the most brilliant show
ing Patterson has given since his first
arrival in America. there can be no
doubt His service was devastating,
more so than Tilden's. which Is sup
posed to be the last word in devastating
service; his volieying and smashing were
precise and untakable. and his general
ship was superb.
In those first two sets, the second OF
which Tilden was really fortunate 10
win, even the comparatively weak
backhand of the Antipodean stood
up with astonishing success and he
scored many a point by recovering a
shot on his left side On his own SER
vice Patterson always came to the
net and as a rule found Tilden's re-
turn so weak that he was able to de-
fleet for placement. At times Tiden
succeeded In getting his racket full on
the twisting service. and i'm shooting
the ball back at Patterson feet, but
SO agile and wide awake was the
Australian that he met the sphere on
the half volley and with surprisingly
good control.
All this happened I'm the first set And
part of the second before Tilden had
become fully aroused to tho fact that
the danger was real and that It be-
hooved him to answer championship
tennis with super tennis. When he
called on his resources he found his
supply plentiful. and the furious daz-
zling pace he set In coming from be-
hind. overhauling his opponent and
moving out far into the lead had the
spectators bubbling over with enthu-
siasm. The tremendous attack Of the
champion. his sensational passes, back
hand and forehand. as he found the
lines and the corner and his remark
able recoverles. shook the steadiness
of the Australian and nullified the early
effectiveness OF his service and net
game.
Richards stirs Memories.
In the first OF the scmi-finals Richards
for opc set reminded the crowd or the
Richards who took two sensational sets
from Johnston year ago. The
Yonkers youth amazed with his daring
and speed. with the finality of his
strokes and his court craft. For twenty
minutes or so he not only held his own
with the Californian, but shone with far
greater brilliancc.
Finally. In the ninth game, the
youngster faltered on service and con-
tributed two double faults that were
very costly. They gave Johnston the
lead OF ST II was then that Richards
astonished by series Of wonderful
backhand passes as the Californian
s.ormed the net and retaliated with a
break through service that carried the
score to Sail. Had Richards avoided
those two double faults OF tho previous
game the set might have been his then
and there.
In the eleventh game Richards. still
forcing a whirlwind pace. went right out
and took the lead again at 6--5. but
Johnston, who seemed to have been bid
Ing hts time contant to have the
youngster wear himself down with the
fury of his attack. bobbed 10 with a
glittering rally that earned him three
games In a row and the set
Thereafter Richards played n sxillfu
but losing game. The effort ~ hold
Ing his own with Johnston in the first
set began to tell on the pale. slightly
built youth. and Johnston. with his pow.
erful forehand. superior all around sew.
Gritty and. keener judgment In finding
his openings. went far into the lead
Richards was tired youth In the sec.
ond and third sets. The greater pace
to Johnston's shots had compelled Rich
ards to cover far mare ground than his
opponent, who was able 70 recove,
shots with much less effort. and the diff
ference told after the first set. Th,
youth played Interestingly To the end