The New York herald., 1922-09-15
Former United States Cham
pion Smothered by Austral-
ian, 60, 6-3, Ga.
RICHARDS is SURPRISE
Trounces Anderson to Adver CO
With Other Americans,
Tilden and Johnston.
nv SAMUEL j. BRooKMAN.

PHILADELPHIA. Sept. 14.-Only Gerald
Patterson of Australia remains to
threaten the safety of the national
tennis title. In surprisingly decisive
fashion the other three foreign stars
who had advanced so convincingly to
the round before the semi-flnal went
down to defeat before the prowess of
three American Davis cup players at
the Germantown Cricket Club to-day,
every tussle ending in straight sets.
They were thrilling sets, however,
one-sided but thrilling, paradoxical
though that may sound.
Zenzo Shimizu of Japan, who is best
remembered as the sensational player
who almost accomplished straight
set triumph over Williem T. Tilden
In the Davis cup challenge round Of
last year, fell before this same Tilden
to-day by a score of 6--2, 6-3, 6-l.
He was the first of the invading rack
eters to relinquish his place in the
championship draw.
Less than one hour later Manuel
Alfonso of Spain went the way of Shi-
mizu, bowing in defeat 20 William M.
Johnston of California at GO. 6-2. IS,
and then, by way Of Gaping the climax.
youthful Vincent Richards came through
in astonishing fashion against James O..
Anderson. rated by many the strongest
of the foreigners, ending the match in
less than an hour at 6--2. 6-4. IS.
But IL the three victories of the
American internationalists were crush
ing, the triumph of Gerald Patterson
over r. Norris Williams was just as
overwhelming. for it was 6-2. 6-3, 6-4
in favor of the Wimbledon winner and
a most convincing victory In every way.
1t was one OF the two surprises OF the
day. for while Tilden and Johnston had
been expected to score. the majority OF
critics had figured williams winner
over Patterson and Anderson too strong
for Richards.
1t will be Tilden versus Patterson in
one semi-final tomorrow and Richards
versus Johnston in the other, with the
chances strongly favoring Tilden-
Johnston final the next day.
Williams. who has rarely been at his
best in international matches, was de-
cidedly off stroke against Patterson. He
netted with alarming frequency. particu-
$ larly on his volleys and half volleys
(which are usually his strong points He
was uncertain and undecisive and bar
ring one period in the final set. when he
staged brilliant rally that earned him
four games in a row lacked control
From the start to finish the Bostonian
was at loss against Patterson's vi
ciols serve. The Australian doomed four
teen across that Williams never got his
racket on at all and numerous others
prompted errors, the American being
kept reaching and plunging for the wide
breaking serve. As usual Williams stood
we'll inside the service line to meet the
ball on the rise, but the service snapped
SO wide that he was unable to gauge
the break accurately.
willinms's service was also a difficult
shot to handle effectively. but not near
ly as puzzling as that of his opponent
and Patterson generally succeeded in
putting the ball into play. The surpris-
ing thing was not only that Patterson
out-steadied Williams but out-placed
him. He chose his openings well for
passing shots or pounded the ball at
the Bostonian's feet for earned points.
and he seemed sure of himself through
out.
In his volleying and smashing the
Antipodean, unlike Williams, was deadly
accurate and all in all his exhibition was
the best he has given on an American
court this season. Even his compara-
lively weak backhand stood UP well.
Undoubtedly the best tennis played by
loser during the day was that OF
Alfonso In his tusse with Johnston. It
speaks volumes for the wonderful ef-
fectiveness or the Californian's game
that despite all the brilliance of the
Spanish star he was able to beat him
as decisiveiy as 60. 60, rs. 1t might
have been still more overwhelming but
for the fact that Johnston let up con-
siderably when in the third set he led
6@
The gallery went wild as Alfonso
brought the score from 0--5 to 5--all.
During that rally Johnston was five
times within a point of the match. only
to be turned back by the hard fighting
Spaniard. But with the games even.
Johnston found his reserve, threw IL in
TO the breach and won the next two
games without yielding a point.
Throughout the greater part OF the
contest Johnston's walloping forehand
was devastating and his accuracy in
passing Alfonso at the net was excep-
tional The ball came as rule with
such terrific force at the Spanish inter-
nationalist that he could not meet Il
properly. There were times when his
agility and court craft made II difficult
Iof dOinSADU 10 biHCkFn pace Tor n mo-
ment but tho Californian was master Of
the situation whenever he cared to ac-
celcrate the speed OF his attack.
Richards did not have 10 he NJ his
best to beat Anderson, who nearly al
ways obliged with an error when the
Yonkers youth needed n point badly
After the first few games the Austria
liam completely lost the range OF the net
and never recovered Il.
He netted and drove out Of bounds
with amazing regularity. Richards.
while his service and ground strokes
lacked severity outsteadlcd his oppo-
nent by a wide margin. On many an
occasion Anderson. with sharp drives
into alternate corners. had the youth
running himself ragged, but Richards
was equal TO the task and his splendid
court covering saved many an impor-
tant point for him.
Tildcn made short work Of his match
with ShImizu. Ills drives had tremcn-
dous pace and were under perfect con-
troll from start 20 finish. The severity
Of his attack proved too much even for
the agile Nipponese. who. for all Of his
wonderful court covering, could not keep
pace with the ball.
Everything the champion did was de-
cisive. He employed change Of pace
with excellent results, bringing shimizu
IN 10 the forward court with a sudden
short return and then either lobbing
over his head or forcing him to net his
vclleys In the main Tilden was con-
tent 10 fight Il out from deep court. but