The New York herald., 1922-07-14
TILDEN- RICHARDS
AMONG FOUR LEFT
w. F. Johnson and Voshell
Also Survive in Rhode
Island Tourney.
BY SAMUEL J. BRooKMAN.

Special Dispatch TO THE New YORK HERALD.
PROVIDENCE. r. l.. July 13.-Class will
tell. After four rounds of increasingly
brilliant tennis on the Agawam Hunt
Club courts the four players left to fight
II out for the Rhode Island grass court
championship are the first, third fourth
and eighth in national rank After four
days of a tennis feast such as fans in
this vicinity have rarely enjoyed the
devotees of the game are getting ready
for an even more delectable dish to-
morrow and the next day, for the sur
vivors are William T. Tilden I'd, Vim
cent Richards Wallace f. Johnson and
S. Howard voshell. 1t is to be Tilden
apd voshell in one semi-final and Rich
ards and Johnson in the other
Not even the most exacting critic
could wish for any more entertaining,
more spectacular tennis than was fur
nished for the edification of the largest
gallery of the week. The ranking play
ers seemed to realize that the time for
stroking leisurely had passed and that
with the finalround close at hand. it
behooved them to test themselves to the
limit. to call on all their tennis craft
end open the speed throttle wide. So
they let themselves out, despite iblaz-
ing sun that seemed to get hotter and
more relentless as the afternoon wore on.
Unquestionably the most impressive
exhibition was that of Richards. play
ing through title holder. In eliminating
Lawrence B. Rice Of Boston at 6--3.
6--3. 1t was the third meeting of the
year between the pair and the rubber"
OF the series, each having one Svictory
to his credit They were both keen to
win. and naturally so.
Greater Incentive for Winner.
Richards perhaps had more incentive
than his opponent. He had just read
the official announcement that the
Davis Cup Committee was considering
him seriously for place on the Inter
national team and the news seemed to
inspire him. Besides he was the title
holder. anxious to defend his cham
pionship and anxious above all to meet
Tilden and repeat, If possible. the VIC
tory he had scored over the national
champion at Hartford.
At any rate. Richards came through
IN nlasterful style, outsteadying, OUT
maneuvering and outguessing the man
who had fairly blown Phil Neer of
California off the courts the day before.
Rice had his usual speed but Richards
played skillfully and forced him into
quick returns and consequent errors.
tHo AoHneiS youtn SIOWeu MS ueSNe
from the first to win as quickly as pos
sible. but he did not go tearing madly
around the court in his effort to win
Except on his own service. when he
followed to the net, Richards was con-
tent to stalk back and work his oppo-
nept out Of position and his cunning
versatility and control in accomplish
ing his purpose thrilled the gallery
Rice had the aggressiveness and power
to keep Richards on his toes but he
never flustered the youth, who chose
his shots calmly and with good judg-
ment Every now and then. when an
important point hung In the balance.
Richards electrified with a great burst
of speed. fought his way to the net
and came through decisively. Rice was
not as steady as the day before, partly
because Richards had him running and
partly because he hit too hard and over
drove the base line.