REVIEW OF FALL TENNIS

The fall tennis season this year has been one of signal success in victories, in the interest shown, and in bringing out new material.

The University team, composed of C. C. Pell '08 (captain), A. S. Dabney '09, N. W. Niles '09, and G. P. Gardner '10, carried off all the honors in the twenty-seventh annual tournament of the Intercollegiate Lawn Tennis Association at Haverford. All four members of the team won their way into the semi-finals of the singles, so that the last three matches were played between Harvard men. G. P. Gardner '10, playing in beautiful form, won the tournament by defeating N. W. Niles '09 by the score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Both Pell and Gardner and Niles and Dabney reached the semi-finals in the doubles tournament, but here Pell and Gardner met defeat at the hands of Gerlach and Gordon of Princeton. In the finals of the doubles, Niles and Dabney easily defeated Gerlach and Gordon, 6-2, 6-2, 7-5. By these victories, the University team gained two points towards the possession of the Intercollegiate trophy, which will be won outright by the team first winning seven points.

The annual fall tournament was a great success, having the large number of 196 entries. Here Niles and Pell again came into prominence, Niles defeating Pell in the singles finals. In the doubles, Niles and Dabney won the championship by defeating Pell and Gardner.

The Seniors won the interclass series by first defeating the Sophomores, and then by winning five out of eight close matches from the Freshmen.

Criticism by B. C. Wright '03.

Mr. Beals C. Wright '03, a member of the American team which competed for the Davis Cup in England last summer, has very kindly written the following criticism of the playing of the members of the University team.

"The members of the University team have all played the game about the same length of time, with the exception of Gardner, who has had very little tournament play. Niles has followed the tennis circuit more or less, and has played in more tournaments than the others. This experience has made him the best tactician. Niles uses the twist service entirely and to good advantage, although in a long match it tires him to such an extent that it weakness his game. All his strokes are hard and fast. He is extremely brilliant, but equally erratic. His best position is at the net, and his reach allows him to cover a great deal of court. When he is at the top of his game, he is a hard man to beat, and will rank among the best players of this country.

"Pell plays a more conservative game than Niles. His judgement is good, he is cool, and has any amount of endurance. His service is not as difficult to return as Niles's, but his overhead work is better. His forehand drive is his most reliable stroke. His volleying is consistent, and he is a good match player.

"Dabney has the best form of all, resembling W. A. Larned's style very much. His swing is free and easy, both fore and backward. At times he is brilliant overhead. His service can be improved on, and when running to the net his tendency is to volley too carelessly. With more tournament play, he should rank among the first ten players, as he understands the game thoroughly.

"Gardner has been the greatest surprise, and deserves credit for winning the Intercollegiate, as his victory was won by consistent play. He has played less than the rest of the team, but has developed rapidly. He is aggressive, which means a great deal in tennis, and his passing strokes, especially from his forehand, are clean and accurate. His second service can be improved upon, as well as his backhand volleying.

"Taking these four players, I should say they represent as evenly a balanced team as Harvard has had for a number of years. They are well matched, and the points they won for Harvard in the Intercollegiate were well earned."