Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-09

- The greatest dramatist of ten.
mis-, William T. Tilden, II, never
Il had the stage more perfectly
set for an heroic role than it
was today after an even break between
America and France in the opening
two singles matches of the 1927 Davis
Cup challenge round.
With as thrilling a performance as
he ever has given under the inter
national spotlight. Big Bill rose to the
occasion yesterday by conquering
after William NJ. Johnston-gallant
Little Bill" but no longer the
mighty atom'-passed swiftly from
the picture at the hands Of poker
faced Rene Lacoste, 6-3, 60, 60.
AS result, the gaunt, sinewy figure
Of the six-time former American
champion. apparently as dynamic as
ever, stands out as the main barrier
between Frances impetuous youths
and victory for them that would end
this country's seven-year winning
streak in Davis Cup play.
Play Doubles Today.
For the doubles this afternoon,
Tilden was selected to lead the attack
with Francis T. Hunter as his partner,
in a battle with the remaining two
stars Of the French team, Jean
Borotra and Jacques Brugnon. The
only hope of keeping the famous
trophy, 1t seemed, was for the Amer
lean pair to win today and for Tilden
to conquer Lacoste tomorrow in one
of the two remaining singles matches.
Johnston, apparently, no longer can
be counted on as a factor in the most
exciting Davis Cup battle America
hos l.. ei,, -
another great Californian. Maurice
Mclaughlin, who occupied the role
that Tilden holds today. but RED
Mac" heroic as he fought. was un-
able to stem the Australian attack
that won the famous trophy.
Little Bill" after his tragic debacle
yesterday in a match that revealed
him only a shadow of his old self, was
hastily withdrawn from the doubIes,
In which he was to have paired with
Tilden. He will play in the final
singles match tomorrow. against
Cochet, but only a miraculous re.
versal of form, it seems. will enable
the Californian to defeat the brilliant
young Frenchman who gave Tilden a
stirring, even if losing battle yester-
day.
Not Same Johnston.
JohHSloH was picked tnlS year 10
share the cup defense with Tilden
largely on Faith and past perform.
ances To conserve his strength, he
came East only fortnight or so ago,
appearing in nothing but, doubles
competition. Because he had always
been nemesis to the French, never
having lost a Davis Cup match to any
OF them, 1t was felt that Johnston
could be relied on, perhaps to an even
greater extent than Tilden.
But Johnston's LINK" wasn't
enough to check any such fiawless
stroking machine as Lacoste proved
to be. Perhaps the lack of singles
preparation by Little Bill was a
strategic boomerang, but to the as
sembled experts it seemed more a
case of the Californian having gone
back too far to hold his own against
such youthful skill as the French now
possess. Had Johnston Been missing
most of his shots by inches his lack
of competition might be blamed, but
he was missing them, instead, by
feet
Johnston met defeat only once be-
fore in Davis cup competition. That
was in 1929 and it took five sensa-
James o. Anderson of Australia.
Yesterday, however, the once Mighty
Atom" was swept off the courts as
he never has been before by any in
dividual except Tilden.
Seven years ago Johnston stood
only a notch or two below Tilden.
Together they We're in a class by
themselves. but yesterday there was
a vast gulf between them in playing
ability. In contrast with Johnston's
astonishing lack of control was TIL
denis equally amazing stroke bril-
lance. There was a dash to his at
tack that even his hey-day of cham
pionships seldom revealed. Where
Johnston's errors gave Lacoste all
but of his 95 points. Tilden scored
the startling number Of SO earned
points, aces and placements, out of
a total Of 116.
TiIden in Great Form.
It was a strange contrast Of age and
youth, too. Johnston, nearly SO,
bowed to the greater game Of a youth
of %, but Tilden, "a, outspeeded, out
drove and even outvolleyed the 25
year-old Cochet. Lacoste's victory was
the first he ever has scored over John
ston. Tilden's triumph was sweet re-
venge for setbacks at Cochet's hands
here and abroad within the past year.
For the doubles match today Amer