Last year Kumagae reached his top form and was ranked
third in America. His defeats were by Johnston, Vincent Richards,
and myself; while he defeated Murray, S. H. Voshell, Vincent
Richards, and me, as well as countless players of less note.
The season of 1920 found Kumagae sweeping all before him, since
Johnston, Williams, Garland, and I were away on the Davis Cup
trip. Williams barely defeated him in a bitter match, just
previously to sailing. Kumagae left America in the middle of the
summer to compete in the Olympic games, representing Japan.
Kumagae is still essentially a baseline player of marvellous
accuracy of shot and speed of foot. His drive is a lethal weapon
that spreads destruction among his opponents. His backhand is a
severe "poke," none too accurate, but very deadly when it goes
in. His service overhead and high volley are all severe and
reliable. His low volley is the weak spot in an otherwise great
game. Kumagae cannot handle a chop, and dislikes grass-court
play, as the ball bounds too low for his peculiar "loop" drive.
He is one of the greatest hard-court players in the world, and
one of the most dangerous opponents at any time on any surface.
Shimidzu is to-day as dangerous as Kumagae. He, too, is a
baseline player, but lacks Kumagae's terrific forehand drive.
Shimidzu has a superior backhand to Kumagae, but his weak service
rather offsets this. His low volleying is far superior to
Kumagae, while his high volleying and overhead are quite his
equal.
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