The Washington times., 1928-10-29

The old champions have departed /
with Hunter their only remaining
representative. ia their wake has
risen younger group. none of
which is vet quite able to defend
successfully the championship crown.
But there Ii. among this
younger group, 3 player who
will Be champion III the future.
And there are, a. well, several
players who win, sometimes take
part ID the winning back Of the
Davis Cup.
We can only judge from the
this year ait Forest Hills.
There are Iii this group. which Isl
an impressive one, fun of PROMISE
nine players. TWO OF them, George
M. Lott, jr., and Frank Shields wOn
their way to the sennifinals III the
nationals. thereby demonstrating
that they play tennis that Is very
near The top.
The others are John Hennessey,
Fritz Mercur, John Van Ryns John
nile Doeg, Wilmer Allison, ana the
two youngest, wilbur Coen and
Sidney Wood who are 16.
Lott and Hennessey. by winning
the national doubles title, have al
ready proved that they are Anneri-
cas- best In that field.
al brief outline or the present
playing form OF each one of these
players may indicate what we may
expect from them ii future play.
George Lott at present +
playing an aIl-round singles
game. His vOIIeying 90 times
ii brilliant. His back court
game as rule, il dependable,
the errors coming mainly when
he tries for too close shots
down the sidelines OE his Op-
pOnent's court.
Almost ali Of his balls carry al
decided spin He should be a form
liable figure Iii next seasons ten
mis-.
Frank Shields game Ii one built
upon tremendously fast drives. and
as beautiful service an can be
seen anywhere. He sometimes plays
the net with excellent results. but
has not quite settled down ii this
department.
Because cf the great speed eof
all OF his shots, steady play Isl
difficult for him to attain. II he
were to add steadiness to his game
critics believe that he would be
unbeatable. He 4 Just -. and
shows great promise.
John Hennessy has the steadi-
ness that the others have not quite
achieved. He plays thinking game.
His balls do not carry great speed
consistently, but have excellent d.
rection and placement.
For variety, he introduces
very fast shots at unexpected
moments. His baclxhand IS ex.
ecIlted in unusual form. and in
way reminds one Of Pafter-
/ sons. except that Il Is 8 far
/ more dependable stroke than
that 0f the Australian. Hen.
nessey has some fine Wins to
his credit especially impressive
were those In the Davis Cup
try-0uts In Paris.
Fritz Mercur, who played his
first tennis in Italy, and who has
been seen for several seasons In
! the Eastern tournaments, proved
in his National" match against
Cochet that he Is . first-class
! player.
Mercuris game is an all-around
one. with an excellent service. He
plays thinking game In q quiet
/ and almost effortless fashion. His
1 tennis ID deceivlng in that 1t Is far
better than it appears to be to the
/ casual observer.
John Van Ryn plays a spirited
| and daring brand of tennis. Fast
| drives, overhead snashes, any kind
Of volleys at the net-he plays all
strokes with equal speed.
OF all the American players, he
appears the most alert upon the
court. He moves rapidly; walks
| quickly. His dark hair and dark
| eyes. and court manner might cas-
/ iIy lead one to mistake him for q
/ member of the French team.
He has great enthusiasm for
/ SaHA NAA