The New York herald., 1922-08-30
TIlden- Richards Retain
National Doubles CrO1vl
American Team Defeats Australian Davis Cup Pair
4-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 at Longwood-Miss Wills
Gives Mrs. Mallory Terrific Battle
ny SAMUEL j. BRookMAN.

BosToN, Aug. 29.-Americans stand
triumphant to-day in the first tennis
test with the Australian challengers.
Before a gallery that jammed and
overflowed the spacious Longwood
stands William T. Tilden and Vincent
Richards. playing in defense OF their
national doubles championship title,
turned back the Australians. fairly
overwhelmed them. in fact. after a
nervous uncertain start.
For one set Gerald l.. Patterson and
Pat O'Hara Wood loomed as serious
contenders. For one set they outsteadied
ard outscored the Americans in spec
tacular battle of tennis Titans. and then
their formidability waned as Tilden and
Richards. with ever increasing power
and with delightful daring struck their
best stride. individually and concertedly,
and turned the tide The contest went
four sets, 4--6, 6-1. 6-3, Cd.
1t was decisive victory for the cham
ptons. decisive, clear cut and impressive,
and now there Is little doubt that it will
be Tilden and Richards in the doubles
Forest Hills next Saturday. incidentally
it was the third national doubles title
for the top ranking pair and title never
more convincingly earned.
Anzacs Keen for Davis Cup Play.
There were those among the critics
who pointed out that the Australians
probably were not as keen to win the
national title as they will be in their
fight for the international title in the
Davis cub series to come: that during
the four days of vain waiting for the
weather to clear and permit the COM
pletion of the event they had even of
fered to default the final SO as. to reach
the scene of the Davis cup event.
From first to last In to-day's play the
spectacular versatility of Tiden. his
infinite stroke variety, his tremendous
service, his strategy and sharp angled
finishing shots stood out with glaring
prominence. Richards with his fine vol
leying and smashing and skillful placing
proved an able assistant after he had
recovered from an erratic streak that
clung to him for all of one set.
On the other side of the net O'Hara
Wood easily outshone his partner. He
was the better strategist, the more
subtle in his sharp angled placements
and his change of pace, and 1t was his
SPARKLING play that earned the first set
a. time when the champions were not
yet in stride Patterson was prone to
net and drive out of court at critical
stages His first service was not under
control and his second service ball was
handled more easily than he had antici-
pated His overhead smashing, too,
lacked severity and finality. The court
after three days rain was not nearly as
fast as he prefers il and the big Aus
ftralian did not cover court with his GUS
tomary boldness and agility.
Patterson Avoids Use of Backhand.
While Tilden and Richards did not
concentrate particularly on Patterson
backhand. as many had expected them
TO, still Patterson clearly indicated that
he was cognizant OF his weakness by
running around the ball and taking 1t
on his forehand on every possible OPP
portunity.
There were not so many opportunities
in the opening set of the mems match
for the enthusiasm of the gallery to
boil over. for both Tilden and Richards,
the latter particularly started errat-
cally. Only OHara Wood of the four
players seemed to get into stride with
out any loss of time and then Tilden
followed in the matter of attaining top
speed The rallies were fairly evenly
fought at that stage, and the set de-
veloped only one break through service.
through Richards's service in the sew
enth game. Woods wonderful anticipa-
ton and sharp angled blocking at the
net were responsible for the break and
the winning of the set eventually at 6-4.