The New York herald., 1922-08-26
DAVIS CUP RIVALS
LONGWOOD WCTORS
American Champions E1imi-
nate Johnston-Johnson Com
bine 8-8, 1913 and rs.
NILES AND BOROTRA FADE
Williams -Washburn Conquer
ors Lose to Patterson and
Wood, 8-1, rs, go.
BY SAMUEL J. BHooKMAv.

BY SAMUEL j. BHOOKMAy.
BosToN, Aug. 25.--On the grandstand
court OF the Longwood Cricket Club
tomorrow the teams that are to fight
it out IN the doubles match of the
Davis Cup challenge round next week
will meet in a preliminary test in
which the national doubles champion
ship will be at stake. 1t will be
America versus Australia, Tilden and
Richards, defenders. against Patterson
and O'Hara Wood, challengers, in a
tussle that holds out promise of one
OF the most scintillating as well as one
of the most hotly contested finals In
the history of the title event.
Longwood will find II difficult to ac-
commodato tho throng that will want
to see In action the doubles champions
OF two continents, undoubtedly the best
doubles teams OF the world ne spa
cious stands are absolutely se!d out
and 1t will be standing room only for
those who have failed to arrange for
reservations in time. But If tho form
Of the rival teams in the current tour
nament is any criterion at all, the con-
test will be worth standing through,
worth going far to see.
In coming through to the title match
T'ildcn and Richards and Patterson and
Cilara Wood both triumphed In
straight sets, but there the similarity
OF the contest ended, for while the
Australians were rarely forced to their
greatest effort to keep a comfortable
lead and win with plenty to spare, the
American champions were carried
through three or as stubbornly contest
ed sets as the tournament has fur
nished. through two hours of brilliant
play that not only called forth all the
speed and tennis at the command of
the titleholders but that gave them
many an anxious, many a trying mo-
ment.
Scores Tell the story.
Scores do not always tell the story,
but they did to-day. IL was 6-1. rs. 60
in favor of the Antpodeans in their
match with Jean Borotra of France,
and Nathaniel w. Niles OF Boston, con-
querers of Williams and Washburn. and
II was Sc, 10-S rs in favor of Tilden
and Richards over the combination of
William M. Johnston OF California and
Wallace J.. Johnson Of Philadelphia
Beyond all question tho most stirring
~ brilliant tennis OF the tournament
came in the tussle that saw the playing
through champions triumphant. There
may have been a trifle smoother and
more alert team play on the part OF
The champions. but as individuals
Johnston and Johnson were such ex-
perienced strategists. and Johnston was
so severe and so aegressively effective
In every department of the game, that
II was all Tilden and Richards could
do to win every set by tho narrowest
or margins.
IT was we'll FOR the titleholders that
their lapses were never Of long dura-
tlon. IT was well for them that they
found their most decisive shots when
they were sorely needed. and II was
well. too. that they managed to con-
centrate their attack on Wallace John
son when Johnston nlcnaced with his
speec ani finality and TO pull several
a'l-important games out OF the fire.
In the long run II was the remark able
retting, the almost Incredible recoverfcs
OF both Tilden and Richards that turned
the tide In their favor. Time after time
strokes that seemed hopelessly out OF
the other of the champions. and not only
retrieved but pounded back for earned
points while gallery that could not
stiffle It's enthusiasm rose and fairly
telled it's approval
And for every brilliant get that one OF
The titleholders flashed the other would
furnish one still more amazing. Nor
was the brilliance in this respect cor
fined 10 the champions. Johnston and
Johnson, too, covered surprising
amount of ground. but their sparkling
recoveries shone TO lesser degree.
Everything that goes 20 make tennis
spectacular was crowded into the three
hard fought sets-crisp, sharp-angred
volleying, deadly smashing. lobs tam
taffzingly placed, mixed with severe
driving. change Of pace mixed with
change VI length. slSillful maneuvers and
rare anticipation. And the wonder Of II
Ell was that the rallies were kept going
as we'll as they were. Even IN the heat
OF the swiftest exchanges there was
scarcely n mistake OF Judgment as ia
choice Of stroke. The errors were IN
commission. not i'm tactics.
Richards. barring one or two short
periods when his control deserted him,
was in the thick Of the rallies and ended
RAINY I'm important point with his won
oerful volleying. Overhead he was very
sure of himself much more so than TIL
cen. who played his smashcs a bit too
pafe MS though doubling his accuracy.
But in all other respects Tildcn was TIL
den-spoed, infinite stroke variety.
power, skill and punch. His most ef-
fective shot, n stroke that brought of
his most spectacular placements. was y
iwceping bnclshand drive, generally of
service. but often, also. I'm the rallies
that passed one or the other of his on
ronents as IL travelled sharply cross
court.
Johnson's Service Target.
Johnston played well all through. nj
though his service was not under It's
customary control. but Johnson Jagged
and spurted in turn. played IN streaks.
" was Wallace Jolrnsou's service that
the champions generally depended upon
for their breaks and u was This COM
parativcly weak service that provided
them. IL was o. break through John
sons service in tho seventeenth game OF
tho second SGT that gave the champions
their opportunity. and ~ was another
such break In the eleventh game of the
third set that practically settled the
contest.
Tho losers bobbed up with a scnsa-
t'onaI rally In the final sot at a time
when their defense seemed TO have
weakened alarmingly. Tildon and
Richards had gone out into the load Of
: TO IN games and the match seemed as
good aa over Imagine the axcitement