LAWN TENNIS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17647, 21 September 1925, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

TILDEN AGAIN BEATS JOHNSTON. FIVE SET MATCH WATCHED BY 12,000. By Telegraph.-—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK, September 19. W. T. Til den to-day won the national . tennis singles for the sixth time, beating \Y. Tohnston, 4-5, 11-9, 6-3, 4-6, ; 0-3. ill a' sensational battle lasting J nearly three hours. ' The main features were baseline I driving and extended rallies. r lilden s backhand was brilliant and Johnston’s forehand also. Johnston was set point three times in the second set. In the third set Tilden was superior. .Johnston showing signs of tiredness, but bo improved in the fourth. Tilden was fresher throughout the closing stages and took early control iff the last set. It was a brilliant display and was witnessed by a record crowd of 12.000. STORMING TACTICS URGED BY F.M.B. By Telegraph.—Fress Assn.—Copyright. Sydney " Sun ” Cable. (Received September 21, 11 a.m.) LONDON, September 20. Mr F. M. R. F isher., a New Zealander, declares that English tennis players lack tbe bright, alert, vivacious sparkle inseparable from hard-hitting play. What did it matter if they served an occasional double fault? It was not a crime. He had seen Patterson serve six double faults in a single game and yet win the game. It was audacious, ferocious, impudent tennis, but storming tactics broke the enemy defence. There, seemed to be a reign of terror among English players. They were afraid to adept the hard-hitting habit.