Wallace Johnson scored a
magnificent victory over J. O. Anderson in four sets after the
Australian led at a set all, 5-2, and 40-15. Johnson ran the
visiting Davis Cup star all over the court and finally pulled out
the match in one of the finest displays of court generalship I
have ever seen.
The finals was more or less of a family party. It was an
all-Philadelphian affair, two Philadelphians competing with
14,000 more cheering them on.
Johnson was unfortunate. Saturday the match was started under a
dark sky on a soft court that just suited him. I have seldom seen
Johnson play so well; as always, his judgment was faultless. We
divided games with service with monotonous regularity. The score
was 5-all when it began to drizzle. The court, soft at best that
day, grew more treacherous and slippery by the minute. Johnson's
shots hardly left the ground. He broke my service at 7-all when
the rain materially increased. He reached 40-15 but, with the
crowd moving to shelter and the rain falling harder every minute,
he made the fatal error of hurrying and netted two easy shots for
deuce, A moment more and the game was mine and the match called
at 8-all.
Play was resumed on Monday before a capacity gallery. By mutual
agreement the match was played over from the beginning. I had
learned my lesson the previous day and opened with a rush. The
hot sun and strong wind had hardened the court and Johnson's
shots rose quite high.
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