DAVIS CUP TRY-OUTS

Evening Star, Issue 18035, 1 August 1922, Page 4

DAVIS CUP TRY-OUTS

TIL-DEN’S DISAPPOINTING PLAY

Press Association--By Telegraph—Copyright.

NEW YORK, July 30.

In the second trial- match Williams and Washburn defeated Tilden and Richard'S, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5. Tilden showed an unexpected reversal of form.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

JOHNSTON’S VICTORY OVER TILDEN.

In view of the near approach of tiie final rounds for the Davis Gup, the following remarks on the two greatest American players by a writer in ‘ American Lawn Tennis’ should bo read with interest:

“ The victory of Johnston over Tilden in the East versus West matches in California should be no surprise to those who have closely watched the career of Johnston since the time when he first came into prominence by winning the national championship in 1915. In that year Jie survived a draw, and overcame an opposition tougher, perhaps, than any other aspirant for national honors has .had to face. From that day to this I have been intensely partisan so far as JohPston is concerned, because of my belief, supported; by close observation of his and Ins chief rivals’ careers, that, with the exception of Lamed (who retired before his coming), there has never been his equal in natural tennis ability. "There is a wonderful compactness and finish to his game—like a perfect piece of machinery, small in size, but of finest quality—more effective than Tilden’s, with all his versatility. His technique was almost, if not guite, ns polished as was Larned’s at his best, and lie has greater speed than Lamed over possessed. There is but one weak spot in his armor—-his physique—which does not, m recent years at least, seem quite equal to a ’hard tournament with an uncodcd draw. Tilden lias but one real advantage over him —his serve; but even this is almost neutralised by the fact that his (Johnston’s) softer serve gives him more time to get to the net to volley, and as a vollevcr lie is Tilden’s superior, and probably the greatest of all. “If the fact bo noted that each time Tilden defeated him during the last two years Johnston has had a tougher, draw, and, as a rule, an unusually severe match the day prior to their meeting, it can bo ■readily understood why Johnston lost. " In the East-West matches there wore no such conditions, and that is why Johnston won. I have been and always will be willing to.wager that if both of them are comparatively fresh, Johnston will win-; but if he is only a trifle off, Tilden, on account of his greater staying powers, will be returned the winner..

“ Tilden right now is playing as great tennis as he ever did. Probably he is the ■better tournament player, but I shall always maintain Johnston has yet to meet his superior, or oven his equal (for he is a groat little fighter), as a match player whore the strain of tournament play is absent. Ho is a genuine little Napoleon on tho court, and, although Tilden has done great, deeds homo and abroad and won supreme, honors, people should look the facts in tho face, not bo dazzled by one man's glory’, though recent, but by closely watching the play of our leading experts endeavor to come to a.n absolutely fair and square estimate of their relative ability. “ I believe tho coding of the draw a fair arrangement, and it may enable Johnston to once_ more attain the highest honors, to -which I certainly believe ho is entitled.” ;