The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-05-25
NERICANS.
NEEDOVE
MATCH
By Juno Kinerk

The seminal round Of ten
his play between Japan and
the United States in the Davis
Cup competition is now q dog
fight to determine which Of
the two teams meets Cuba in
Detroit, May 80, 81 and June
4, iii the finals, the winner of
which is to challenge France
for the historic trophy.
a surprising and dramatic victory
ii the carried-over singles match by
Yoshiro ohta. Japanese captain,
from John van Ryn still leaves the
laps in the running. despite the
& fact they must win both Of today's
singles matches. which finds Tanio
Abe meeting John Van Ryn In the
first ana Ohta opposing Hennessey
In the second, to go to the finals.
i Al win for either American will
cinch the match.
After losing to Ohta. Van Ryn
teamed up with Hennessey In the
doubles and the Americans swept
through Abe and Ohta in three
ret triumph, 6--3, 81, Co.. This
siyes the Americans the edge In
the pIay thus far, Hennessey having
polished off Abe in Thursdays
singles match, three sets to one.
Going into his match with
Van Ryn with his back. figu-
rativeIy, to the wall, Ohta
staged brilliant. uphill battle
to emerge triumphant over the
young American.
When they were obliged to quit
STAY Thursday evening. Van Ryn
had i 2-to.1 set lead and q 4-to-2
game lead in the fourth set. Play
was resumed at this stage and
squaring the match with his
dazzling play in winning the follow
ing four games Of the fourth set.
it was plain to see that the
fifth and deciding set was to be an
intense struggle as the pla. ars
faced one another for the first
game. The fire Of the bulldog
American was matched by the skill
and craftiness of the Oriental and
at the end Of four games they were
all square.
Van Ryn then called upon his
complete repertoire Of shots and
bolted into the lead by taking the
next two games. 1t looked dark
for Japan. Clouds had been hover
ing over the courts and q light
rain fell internationally. Stimuli
taneous with the temperance Of
the sun came brightness to the
supporters of the Nipponese as Ohta
staged spirited rally to take the
next game.
Van Ryn again forged into a two
game lead by taking the eighth
game. one more game and the set
and match would be his. But it
was not in the cards for the
former Princetonian to quaff the
cup of victory, for Ohta dramatic.
ally won the next four games, the
net and match.
1t was one Of the gamest and
most courageous stands ever
Witnessed in Davis Cup cOmpe-
GitiOn. Battling in the face Of
apparent insurmountabIe odds
the Jap played with mag
nificlence born OF desperation.
His triumph was was well earned
and the gallery cheered him to the
echo as Van Ryn Melted the point
which gave him the victory.
The set score Of this match was
81, So, 2-6. "a and rs.
The bullet.like smashes and deep
court tactics adopted by the Jap,
whose mastery of the forehand drive
was pronounced. did not defeat Van
Ryn's spirit, for the American came
back after short rest period TO
pair up with Hennessey In the
doubles and play a consistent game.
He was particularly brilliant at the
net and scored repeatedly with
enlashes that were unreturnable.
FTennessey, once he warmed up,
also was In fine fettle and displayed
some sparkling tennis. Ohta appar-
entity was worn from his great last
ditch fight against Van Ryn and the
American rained shots at him. Thu
Jap fought gamely as he could but
lie was well-nigh spent from his
previous efforts. 1t seemed. How
ever, the steadier team play ofesthe
Americans was plainly evident ard
fine foreigners were repufsed In