Kumagae
conclusively proved his slight superiority over Murray last
season.
Vincent Richards, who is not yet the equal of Murray, scored two
clean-cut victories over Kumagae during the same period. Why
should Richards worry Kumagae, who is certainly Murray's
superior, and yet not cause Murray trouble?
The answer lies in this style of game. Richards uses a peculiar
chop stroke from the baseline that is very steady. He can meet
Kumagae at his own baseline game until he gets a chance to close
in to the net, where his volleying is remarkable. The result is,
against Kumagae's driving he is perfectly at home. Murray is a
vicious net player who swept Richards off his feet. The boy has
not the speed on his ground strokes to pass Murray, who volleys
off his chop for points, and cannot take the net away from him as
he cannot handle the terrific speed of Murray's game. Thus
Murray's speed beats Richards, while Richards' steadiness
troubles Kumagae, yet Kumagae's persistent driving tires Murray
and beats him. What good are comparative scores?
Charles S. Garland always defeats Howard Voshell, yet loses to
men whom Voshell defeats. Williams proves a stumbling-block to
Johnston, yet seldom does well against me.
The moral to be drawn from the ever-interesting upsets that occur
every year, is that the style of your attack should be determined
by the man's weakness you are playing. Suit your style to his
weakness.
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