The New York herald., 1922-09-04
BY sAMUEL~J. BRooKMAN.

Tennisdom is still talking of the
magnificent doubles play that routed
the American champions at Forest
Hills on Saturday and transformed an
apparently one sided Davis cup chal-
lcnge round into series that still
holds out promise of thrills and sur
prises. Strange things have happened
in the past in international tennis
play. So-called "invincible" teams
have gone down to astonishing defeat
and what happened ONCE can readily
happen again.
This was to have been the day when
the Australian challengers and the Amer
lean defenders were merely to have
gone through the motions of playing
ont the schedule. Everything had in
dicated on Friday that the Americans
were to cinch their victory on the Sec
ond day Of play for had not Tilden
and Richards defeated, and impressvely
defeated, the very doubles team that
Australia was about TO throw into the
breach in an effort to turn the tide?
They had not. but they We're not des-
tined to do it again.
Playing as though inspired, with
desperation and determination that was
expected. but with degree OF effective
ness that amazed. Patterson and O'Hara
Wood not only checked but over
whelmed their opponents Theirs was
the most perfect doubles play American
tennis devotees had seen in years. so
different from their effort at Longwood
four days before that it looked almost
as though the Australians had concealed
their hand in the national doAbles final.
Both bills Considered Greatest.
And now what? Well. there is stir
plenty of confidence in tennis circles
that the cup will stay In these United
States for another year at least: still
tho opinion prevails that while Australia
may have the best doubles combination.
America has the leading singles play
ers In the world In big Bill and little
Bul-Tilden and Johnston. 1t will be
Far more stunning surprise than the
defeat of Tilden and Richards in doubles
II either Tldcn or Johnston is beaten
in singles this afternoon.
The thousands who journey out to
Forest Hills today will look to Johnston
to clinch matters in his contest with
Patterson, the first OF the two singles
that complete the Davis cup program.
Because OF the startling ease with which
the Californian disposed Of James Q.
Anderson on Friday and because of the
erratic nature of Tildens play on his
last appearance on the center court, the
average tennis fan appears TO be pie cling
more reliance on Johnston than on the
national champion. II is well to re.,lem-
ber however. that while Johnstoa has
beaten Patter SON on two occasions. the
Australian proved 70 be a formidable
opponent each time and il undoubtedly
will take the best Johnston Is capable
of to repeat.
Can you imagine the furor in the
stands IL Patterson should happen 10
beat Johnston and thus leave the issue
squarely up to Tilden and Anderson?
What a responsibility the American
national champion would have to shoul-
der In that event! What sensational
match there is likely to develop! Tennis
critics. however do not expect the un-
certainty TO last that long: there Is
great confidence that Johnston will re-
lieve Tilden OF all responsibility.
Defeat Recalls History.
SATURDAYS defeat OF Tilden and Rich
ards recalled the fact that in interna-
tionaI matches Of the past tho play Of
the United States teams has seldom
matched the caliber of their singles play.
There have been exceptions, of course.
Tilden and Johnston. for instance. were
regarded by Australian critics two years
ago as one OF the most pro-
ficicnt teams in the history or
the Davis cup event. Yet IL is
doubtful whether even the combination
Of Tildcn and Johnston could have pre-
vailed against the supcrtcnnis of Patter-
con ard O'fIara wood two days ago
n was superior team play that won for
the Australians--vastly superior team
play that kept Tilden and Richards away
from the net and broke up their most
effective style OF attack.
TIlden and Richards are a strong
team. bls II was their individual brill
lance rather than concerted effort that
has always stood out prominently. For
one thing, they do not play and practice
together often enough during the season
TO perfect their team work. And this
is true OF most American doubles teams
There Is not enough interest in doubles
here 10 hold combinations together Tor
tournament after tournament. Tho
Australians, on the other hand, have al
WAYS placed As much importance In
doubles rs in singles and have played
together SO often that they know ono
another's style to perfection and rarely
make n false move IN doubles.
But IL is singles and not doubles to-
day, and there is every reason TO feel.
taking the opening singles play as
criterion, that the Davis cup VIII stay
where il s