Edberg - The Emperor of Volleying

Wimbledon 1988 Semi Final – Mecir vs Edberg The first men’s singles semifinal at Wimbledon’s Center Court was played between the Slovakian Miloslav Mecir and the Swede Stefan Edberg. Mecir was an unexpected semifinalist at Wimbledon that year. On his way to the semis, Mecir had defeated Wally Masur, the conqueror of McEnroe, and Mats Wilander, the iconic Swede who looked well on his way to winning the third consecutive Grand Slam of 1988. Mecir had routed Wilander in straight sets in the quarters and dashed the Swede’s hopes of achieving a rare Calendar Grand Slam. On the other hand, Mecir’s opponent namely Stefan Edberg, another Swede, had fought his way to reach the semis that year. Edberg, the 1988 Queen’s Club finalist, had overcome tough opponents like Guy Forget and Patrick Kuhnen to reach the semis without much fanfare. Edberg’s quarterfinal against Kuhnen was difficult. Edberg was relieved to have won against Kuhnen, the vanquisher of the larger than life Jimmy Connors. In the Edberg-Mecir battles leading up to the semifinal, the Swede had a definite edge over the Slovak. Edberg lost some of their early encounters. This continued up to the year 1986. The year 1987 was a turning point in their head to head encounters. This was when Edberg started getting the better of Mecir. This pattern continued in 1988 too. Even in their last encounter in 1988, Edberg was victorious. In Grand Slam matches before the Wimbledon 1988 semifinal, the two players had met twice. The score was level at 1-1. In their last Grand Slam encounter at the 1987 Australian Open quarterfinal, Edberg had disposed of Mecir in straight sets on his way to winning the trophy. Nevertheless, in their first Grand Slam encounter, Mecir had prevailed over Edberg in straight sets. The first Grand Slam encounter between these two took place two years ago in 1986 at Wimbledon. The match took place in the third round at Wimbledon 1986 where Mecir upset Edberg. Mecir was a surprise winner that day with tremendous service returns and passing shots that left Edberg clueless. Mecir also served and volleyed well that day in 1986. Edberg’s performance was lackluster that day. Edberg’s service returns and passing shots lacked sting that day. Nonetheless, that was two years ago. Edberg had dramatically improved as a player since then. Mecir had also improved by leaps and bounds as a player in two years though throughout that year he had been beset with chronic back problems. All through the tournament he had been wearing a metallic back brace. The back brace kept his back problems at bay. The match lacked hype in the build-up. Every one was waiting with baited breath for the second semifinal between Becker and Lendl. They were in for a surprise. The match between Edberg and Mecir would be voted as the match of the tournament. The first set began with Edberg serving first. Edberg won his service game quite easily. The first eight games of the set went with serve. In those games, Edberg comfortably held on to his serves. Edberg served and volleyed very well. Miloslav’s returns could not make a dent in Edberg’s classic serve and volley technique. On the other hand, Miloslav held on to his serve through sheer grit and determination as Edberg’s service returns, approach shots, lobs and passing shots were very good. Mecir also saved some breakpoints on his serve and doggedly denied Edberg a deserved service break. In the ninth game of the set, Mecir simply unleashed a barrage of scorching service returns to break Edberg. In the next game of the set, Mecir comfortably held on to his serve to take the first set 6-4. Like their previous encounter at Wimbledon two years before, Mecir had taken a one set to love lead at this Wimbledon also. In the first set, Mecir had hit 6 successful service returns off Edberg’s strong first serve. 4 of them had come in the ninth game of the first set. Notwithstanding the fact that Mecir clinched a close first set, Edberg had hit more successful service returns. Mecir just played better on the crucial points in the first set to take the lead in the match. In the second set, Edberg had a disastrous start. In the first game of the second set, Mecir broke Edberg’s serve. Edberg served well but Mecir’s service returns and lob were unplayable. Mecir had taken a crucial 1-0 lead in the second set against Edberg. Mecir had the first set in his pocket and with an early service break in the second set was looking to be a menace for Edberg. In the next game, Mecir was looking to consolidate his hold iver the second set. He was in for a surprise as Edberg immediately broke back. Edberg broke back with two bullet backhands and three formidable forehands. Both backhands struck by Edberg were stunning passing shots to which Mecir had no answer. The three classic continental forehand winning shots by Edberg proved to be a surprise, as everyone knew that the forehand return was Edberg’s Achilles Heel. Two of these forehands were solid service returns. This break was important for Edberg as at 1-1 in the second set, it was back on serve. Edberg had neutralized Mecir’s early advantage in the second set by breaking back immediately. The third game in the second set was a struggle in which Mecir edged out Edberg. Mecir’s thunderous service returns were simply too good for Edberg. Mecir had once again broken Edberg and regained the momentum in the second set. Mecir was leading 2-1 with a break up in the second set. Mecir served and volleyed well in the next game to hold on to his serve easily and lead 3-1 in the second set. Edberg was under pressure in the fifth game. Mecir had unleashed a couple of blistering backhand service returns to go up 0-30. Edberg won the next two points as he intelligently served to Mecir’s forehand. It was 30-30. Mecir won the next point with a running down the line backhand passing shot return, which clipped the net to disrupt Edberg’s forehand volley. Mecir was slightly fortunate to win this point. Edberg was now down a break point and in danger of going two breaks down to Mecir, who had already won the first set. Edberg could not handle the pressure as he served a double fault. Edberg had once again cracked under pressure. At 4-1, Mecir was serving with two breaks up and was looking in complete control of the match. Mecir won the next game easily with a combination of very good serves and volleys and passing shots. Mecir led 5-1 now and was within one game of going two sets to love up against Edberg. Edberg had been broken in all his service games in the second set. At 1-5, Edberg served to save the second set. The trend of Mecir’s wicked service returns continued but Edberg saved a set point and doggedly held on to his serve. This was the first time in the second set that Edberg had held on to his serve. Edberg had survived this service game by the skin of his teeth. In the next game, Mecir served and volleyed to perfection to take the second set by the scruff of the neck. In this game he had also smashed well. Mecir was now two sets up against Edberg. Mecir had hit fourteen successful service returns in the second set. Things were looking ominous for Edberg as Mecir was simply coasting along towards an easy victory in the semis. This match between these two players had so far borne some resemblance to their previous encounter at Wimbledon in 1986. It seemed like Mecir would dispatch Edberg out of Wimbledon in straight sets in a nonchalant manner, like he had done to another Swede Mats Wilander in the quarters. It looked like Mecir, whose previous best at Wimbledon was reaching the quarters in 1986, was all set on his way to reaching his first Wimbledon final. Mecir had the rub off the green in the first two sets but no one could take any credit away from the incredibly insouciant and languid manner in which he unveiled his array of spectacular strokes. Mecir’s service returns, passing shots and court coverage had been a treat to watch for the audience. Edberg was looking clueless against a barrage of razor sharp service returns and piercing passing shots. Edberg had served and volleyed well but Mecir was just too good for him. Edberg’s returns were good but were simply no patch on Mecir. Edberg was a facing an uphill task but being the silent, stoic fighter had decided to grit it out. The match was certainly not over. Edberg served first again in the third set. He managed to hold on to his service again in spite of the swiftness and ingenuity of Mecir’s returns. Edberg was now 1-0 up in the third set. Mecir held on to his service game with some delectable volleys and half volleys to make it 1-1. In the next game it looked like Mecir would break Edberg’s serve. Mecir’s ferocious service returns and dexterous passing shots made Edberg look a bit bemused. Nevertheless, Edberg scraped through his service games. Edberg saved three break points on his serve. Edberg won his service game purely on his serving and volleying prowess, especially the latter. Edberg was up 2-1 in the third set. There were no breaks of service yet in the third set. The next game oscillated back and forth between the two players. Initially, Mecir served and volleyed well to move up to a commanding 40-0 lead. Then, all of a sudden, Edberg unfurled four terrific service returns to get a break point against Mecir’s serve. Mecir saved the breakpoint with a down the line backhand return winner. It was deuce. Two erroneous service returns by Edberg at that point of time gave Mecir the game. It was 2-2. Edberg won the next game easily on his serve as Mecir made a couple of unforced errors. Edberg once again served and volleyed very well. In this game, Edberg played a delectable backhand half volley. This shot was a feast for the eyes. At 2-3, it was now Mecir’s turn to serve. There had been no breaks so far in the third set. It was still on serve. Mecir leveled the scores at 3-3 by winning his game with supreme ease. Mecir conceded just one point in that game. Mecir’s magical volleys were a highlight of that game. In the next game, Edberg faced three terrific forehand service returns and was quickly down 0-40. Mecir had three breakpoints to go up 4-3 in the third set. Edberg was in danger of losing his serve and subsequently the set and match to Mecir. It is at this point that Edberg defied his detractors by saving three breakpoints with cunning serves and reflex volleys. It was deuce. Even the genteel English crowd applauded Edberg’s effort in saving the breakpoints. Edberg was tossing the ball slightly lower on his serves than previously in the match. Edberg won the next point doggedly with his volleying skills. It was now advantage Edberg. Edberg had won four points in a row. Mecir had made a few needless unforced errors. Mecir won the next point with a classic crosscourt forehand service return, which Edberg was unable to volley. The score was back to deuce. Edberg won the next point with a good serve that Mecir was unable to return. It was once again advantage Edberg. Edberg won the next point and consequently his service game with a superb serve and closed out the point with a punchy volley. Edberg had once again survived an assault on his serve in the third set. He was hanging by a thread. Nonetheless, it was still on serve in the third set with Edberg leading 4-3. Mecir served and volleyed with consummate ease in the next game to level the score at 4-4. Edberg’s returns were not much of a threat to Mecir so far in the third set. Edberg conceded only two points to Mecir in the next game and held on to his serve. Edberg was serving and volleying much better now than before. Mecir made unnecessary unforced errors in this game. Edberg was leading 5-4 and there were no breaks yet in the third set. Mecir now had to serve to stay in the third set. At 4-5, Mecir began the tenth game with an inauspicious double fault. It was 0-15. In the next point, Edberg hit a crosscourt backhand service return approach shot and closed the point with a topspin forehand volley. It was now 0-30. Edberg was suddenly two points away from winning the third set. At 0-30, Edberg hit a bullet service return off Mecir’s serve. The service return was quick and low. Mecir missed the difficult low backhand volley and all of a sudden it was 0-40. Mecir was under pressure as Edberg had instantaneously turned the tables on him. Edberg had three set points to clinch the third set. Edberg closed out the third set with a classy crosscourt forehand service return that left Mecir in shock. A string of errors by Mecir and inspired play by Edberg had delayed the inevitable. It was ironic that Edberg, whose serve was under siege in the third set, had survived multiple breakpoints and barely hung on to dear life had in the blink of an eye pulled the rug under Mecir’s feet in the last game to usurp the third set. It was now two sets to one in favor of Mecir. Mecir still had the upper hand in the contest. However, everybody on Center Court knew that Mecir should have wrapped up the match in straight sets by now. Edberg began the fourth set strongly by holding on to his service game. He cracked stylish serves and venomous volleys. Edberg went up 1-0 in the fourth set. He was growing in confidence. Mecir too won his service game easily with decent serves, good passing shots and confident shot play from the net. It was 1-1. The next game was a thrilling one where Edberg’s serves and volleys were pitted against Mecir’s service returns and passing shots. Mecir hit blitzkrieg service returns and caressed dainty passing shots to threaten Edberg’s serve. Mecir even had a breakpoint off Edberg’s serve but failed to capitalize. The turning point in this game had been Edberg’s outstanding net coverage. Edberg’s elegant volleys off both wings, forehand and backhand, once again came to his rescue when it seemed like Mecir would get an early break in the fourth set. Edberg had precariously held on to his serve. Edberg was leading 2-1 in the fourth set but it was still on serve. The next game was a piece of cake for Mecir as he held on to his serve without any fuss. Mecir’s volleys, half volleys and lobs from the net were good enough to confound Edberg. It was now 2-2. Mecir was definitely looking much stronger at this point of time. It was now the Swede’s turn to serve. In the fifth game of the fourth set, Edberg won the first two points easily to go up 30-0. Edberg’s sizzling serves put him ahead. Nonetheless, Mecir was a great counterpuncher. Mecir hit back with a trio of piercing down the line service returns that left Edberg bemused. Mecir, who had hit 7 passing shot winning returns in the third set, was back to his best form. Edberg’s lead in the game had fizzled out and Mecir suddenly had a breakpoint. At 30-40, Edberg was once again staring down the barrel of the gun. Once again, Mecir’s returns were like lightning but Edberg again used every ounce of his willpower to survive his service game. Edberg’s incisive volleys and fine overheads once again came to his rescue. Edberg was hanging on by the skin of his teeth against Mecir’s battery of assaults. It was 3-2 in favor of Edberg with Mecir’s turn to serve. The sixth game was interesting. For the first time in the fourth set, Edberg challenged Mecir’s serve. Mecir missed his first serve. On Mecir’s second serve, Edberg used the chip and charge strategy. Despite Edberg rushing to the net, Mecir hit a beautiful, angular crosscourt backhand passing shot return winner. Edberg had no answer to this. In the next point, Mecir volleyed on his first serve but Edberg’s crosscourt forehand passing shot was just too good for him. It was 15-15. Edberg won the next point as Mecir messed up a high backhand volley. It was 15-30. Mecir served one into the corner to Edberg’s backhand to which Edberg had no clue. It was 30-30. At 30-30, Mecir missed the first serve. On his second serve, Edberg rallied for a while and then hit an approach shot. After rushing to the net, Edberg hit a deep backhand volley, which was lobbed by Mecir. Mecir missed the topspin backhand lob to concede a breakpoint to Edberg. This was Edberg’s first breakpoint in the fourth set. He had a chance to break Mecir and go up 4-2. Mecir fought back to deny Edberg a break. The Slovakian star punched a difficult high backhand volley to bring the game back to deuce. At deuce, Mecir hit a tough forehand smash to seize the advantage. However, at advantage Mecir, the Slovak once again missed his first serve. On his second serve, Mecir volleyed in vain. Edberg’s service return was a classic down the line slice backhand approach shot. Mecir barely half volleyed that shot when Edberg hit a spectacular backhand volley to send the game back to deuce. Mecir proceeded to gain the advantage by winning the next point easily as Edberg’s service return was very poor. Mecir once again had a game point. Mecir hit a good first serve to Edberg. Edberg’s high crosscourt backhand service return was good but not good enough as Mecir hit a crisp high backhand volley to win the game. Mecir had survived a scare. The score was level at 3-3 in the fourth set. In the next game, Edberg’s expertise in volleying, quiet courage and indomitable fighting spirit saved him from being broken. Mecir’s service returns resembled missiles being hurled at the enemy in war. Mecir’s service returns were devastating off either wing, forehand or backhand. Mecir’s bazooka returns were hit with power and precision, either side, down the line or crosscourt. Edberg faced four breakpoints on his serve but came unscathed as his superlative volleying skills helped him hold on to his serve. Edberg finally smashed Mecir’s lob to go up 4-3. Edberg was doggedly hanging in there despite all odds. In the process, the Swede was growing in confidence. On the other hand, Mecir appeared slightly apprehensive and dejected. At 3-4, Mecir served to Edberg’s forehand, the Swede’s weaker wing. Edberg hit a good crosscourt forehand service return to Mecir. The Slovak missed an easy, low forehand volley. It was 0-15. Mecir won the next point via an excellent serve to Edberg’s backhand, which the latter returned to the net. It was 15-15. An excellent down the line forehand service return by Edberg to Mecir’s backhand gave the former the next point as the latter missed a tough, low backhand volley. It was 15-30. Mecir served to Edberg’s backhand. An excellent crosscourt service return by Edberg called for an extremely difficult backhand volley by the server. Nevertheless, the bearded Slovak was up to the task as he hit a dainty backhand half volley. Edberg rushed to the net to hit a very good down the line forehand passing shot. Nonetheless, Mecir’s quick hands intercepted the passing shot. Mecir hit an excellent backhand reflex volley to make it 30-30. Edberg won the next point when his accurate backhand service return led to an erroneous forehand volley by Mecir. Edberg had a breakpoint to go up 5-3 in the fourth set. At this crucial moment, Mecir served to Edberg’s backhand. Edberg’s bullet service return was dead on target. It was aimed at Mecir’s body. Mecir hit an inside-out forehand volley, which was short. Mecir’s vapid volley landed to Edberg’s backhand. Edberg hit an offensive backhand lob to which Mecir had no answer. Edberg had broken Mecir at a pivotal moment in the fourth set. At 5-3, Edberg would try to serve out the fourth set. Edberg won his service game at love. Strong serves and impeccable net play by Edberg helped him win the game. Edberg had won the fourth set and leveled the match. Edberg’s confidence had soared with the passage of time. He was quite upbeat about his chances now. On the other hand, Mecir appeared to be depressed and despondent. The fifth set would begin with Mecir opening the proceedings. Mecir started the fifth set well. He hit strong and accurate serves to win his service game at love. Mecir led 1-0 in the fifth set. As Mecir was serving first in the fifth set, he had a slight edge. Besides, leveling the match at two sets all from being two sets down although laudable was a far cry from Edberg having won the match. The proposition of Edberg coming back from two sets down to win a five setter was a completely different ball game. At 0-1, Edberg served with power and placement. Typically, robust serves and penetrating volleys by Edberg sealed the game for him comfortably. It was 1-1 in the fifth set. In the third game, Mecir initially missed his first serve. On his second serve, Mecir stayed back while Edberg hit an approach shot. Edberg rushed to the net but was passed by Mecir’s stunning down the line backhand passing shot. It was 15-0. Edberg won the next point with a crosscourt under spin backhand service return. Edberg’s under spin service return was a joy to watch and it was 15-15. Mecir’s next serve was down the middle to Edberg’s backhand. Edberg missed the return. At 30-15, Mecir easily won the next two points courtesy of two faulty lobs by Edberg. At 2-1 in favor of Mecir, it was still on serve. In the next game, a battering ram of down the line and crosscourt forehand and backhand service returns by Mecir cost Edberg his service game. Finally, after narrowly failing to break Edberg’s service in sets three and four, Mecir had at long last redeemed himself by breaking Edberg’s service early in the fifth set. At 3-1, Mecir definitely had his nose in front. Mecir was pumped up but Edberg would certainly not throw in the towel. Edberg’s body language was positive. Earlier in March of that year in a Davis Cup encounter, Edberg had come back from a break down and trailing 1-4 in the fifth set to defeat Mecir and eliminate Czechoslovakia. Edberg had this previous encounter in his mind and it provided him with reassurance. Mecir missed his first serve. On his second serve, the players rallied for a while. After a while, Mecir hit an under spin crosscourt backhand approach shot to Edberg’s backhand. Edberg hit his trademark crosscourt backhand passing shot that stunned Mecir. It was 0-15. The next two points were won by Edberg with rocket-like backhand service returns to which Mecir was simply a spectator. These spectacular returns gave Edberg three vital break points. Mecir was now wary of Edberg’s backhand return of serve. He served to Edberg’s forehand. A crosscourt forehand approach shot was Edberg’s answer. Nonetheless, the lithe Slovak hit a running angular crosscourt backhand passing shot that was intercepted by the Swede. Edberg punched a good backhand volley. The light-footed Slovak was up to the task and hit a running down the line forehand passing shot that would have passed most players but not Edberg, who was the world’s foremost volleyer in the game. Edberg hit a lightning quick reflex crosscourt backhand volley that was even beyond the reach of the lanky Slovak. Edberg had sprung right back. The score was now 2-3 on serve as Edberg had broken Mecir at love. Edberg easily won his service game without conceding a point to Mecir. The Swede’s unbelievable volleys blunted Mecir’s powerful service returns. Mecir simply tried in vain to penetrate through Edberg’s impenetrable net play. It was now 3-3. At this point of time the match was on an even keel. The result could go either way and it was now purely a battle of willpower and nerves. Mecir won the first point of the seventh game as Edberg made an unforced error. It was 15-0. Edberg won the next point. It was 15-15. Mecir smartly served wide into Edberg’s unreliable forehand and induced an error by the Swede. It was 30-15. Mecir was just two points away from winning the game and going up 4-3 in the fifth set. At 30-15, Mecir served deep into the corner. The service was directed towards Edberg’s backhand. Edberg’s scythe-like service return was just too good for Mecir. Mecir missed the low forehand volley by a mile. It was 30-30. Now, even Edberg was two points away from going up 4-3. At 30-30, Mecir served down the line to Edberg’s fiery backhand. Edberg replied with a thundering service return off his backhand that was aimed at Mecir’s body. Mecir hit a forehand volley. Edberg hit a devastating backhand down the line pass. Mecir swiftly replied with a well-placed high crosscourt forehand volley. Nevertheless, the Swede had feet of quicksilver and sealed the point with a quick down the line forehand passing shot winner. Edberg now had a breakpoint at 30-40. Mecir was under pressure now. It remained to be seen whether Mecir would wilt under pressure or rise to the occasion. Mecir again decided to serve to Edberg’s vaunted backhand. Edberg’s bullet-like service return off the backhand clipped the net cord and fortunately landed in Mecir’s court. Mecir hit an effete forehand half volley to Edberg’s backhand again. Edberg half-volleyed the passing shot to Mecir’s forehand. Mecir responded with a decent forehand volley once again to Edberg’s backhand side. Edberg wisely decided not to play the passing shot. Instead he hit a high and deep defensive crosscourt backhand lob. Mecir ran back diagonally and played a beautiful behind the back, backhand, crosscourt passing shot. The canny Swede was once again at the net to hit a classic backhand stretch volley down the line winner. Edberg had once again broken Mecir to take a pivotal 4-3 lead in the last set. Edberg was now walking on air while Mecir was in the bottomless abyss of despair. It would be curtains for Mecir unless he put his thinking cap on and broke back Edberg immediately. At 4-3, a buoyant Edberg served. He wanted to go for the jugular and go off to the dressing room in a jiffy. It would be remarkable for the Swede if he could just hold his serve and cruise to a dream win. It would be akin to snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Whether or not this win would materialize was indeed the million-dollar question, as Mecir would not quit in the face of adversity. Edberg won his service game at love as Mecir botched a couple of service returns. In addition Edberg’s impeccable net play blunted Mecir’s sharp returns. Edberg led 5-3 and was just a game away from a memorable victory. Only some time later would the mystery unfold that is whether Edberg could secure an improbable victory. If Edberg could manage to hold on to his serve he would clinch an incredible and inspired victory against all odds. An hour ago nobody in the audience had given the Swede a ghost of a chance of pulling off a heroic victory. Now a Edberg victory was on the cards and the phlegmatic English crowd was rooting for the stoic and staid Swede. At 3-5, Mecir served down the line to Edberg’s backhand. Edberg hit a slice service return on his backhand. Mecir made a precise backhand volley that Edberg lobbed defensively. Edberg’s lob was off the mark. Mecir had won the first point. He won the second point too to move to a 30-0 lead. A great service return by Edberg and an inaccurate forehand half volley by Mecir made it 30-15. The score went up to 40-15 when Edberg made a bad service return. Mecir then closed out his service game with an average serve, blocked forehand volley and a great forehand smash. Mecir was hanging on to dear life. Edberg, leading at 5-4, was about to serve for the match and a place in the Wimbledon final. He immediately raced to a 30-0 lead courtesy of his prowess at the net. Mecir made a last ditch effort when he hit a forehand service return winner. At 30-15 Edberg served an ace down the middle to get two matchpoints. At 40-15, Edberg served down the middle to Mecir’s backhand. Mecir’s return was mediocre and got the treatment it deserved when Edberg hit a deep forehand volley to Mecir’s forehand. Mecir barely reached the ball. His long limbs were instrumental in him half-volleying a defensive crosscourt forehand lob. Edberg ran back in the nick of time to hit a forehand passing shot that Mecir netted. The match was over. Edberg had made the impossible possible. Edberg’s epic win would be indelibly recorded in the annals of Wimbledon. This victory was for the history books. This unlikely victory seemed surreal. It was so surreal that this legendary match has seamlessly been woven into tennis folklore. This was the stuff of legend. Even though more than twenty-five years has passed and we are in a new century, this glorious match of yesteryear seems like yesterday. A trip down the memory lane of tennis always brings this memorable match to mind. It is still as fresh in my mind as the sweet sunrise and the chirping of birds this morning. P.S. - I thought I might add a nugget of information. Despite losing such a heartbreaking match, Mecir won more points in the match than Edberg. Perhaps the tennis gods were on Edberg’s side that cloudy day of the English summer.

Wimbledon 1985

Wimbledon 1985 John McEnroe was the defending champion, who was considered by most to successfully defend his trophy. There were other favorites too. Connors, Wilander, Lendl, Leconte, Kriek, Cash, Edberg and Curren were some of the other favorites. Nobody gave Becker a ghost of chance of winning Wimbledon despite his victory at Queen’s a short while back. In fact, Becker was unseeded in Wimbledon 1985. Edberg was the fourteenth seed and was considered a contender for the crown. Bjorn Borg had remarked that in his book McEnroe was the odds on favorite and Edberg was second after McEnroe. Becker, after his victory at Queen’s, was considered to be a flash in the plan. Nobody thought that winning the 1985 Queen’s Club would be a watershed in Becker’s career. Only time and destiny would say whether it would be or not. Wimbledon 1985: First Round - Wimbledon 1985 had a dismal and gloomy beginning. It was raining incessantly on Monday. The rain wreaked havoc on the first day’s play. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the weather improved but it was still raining intermittently. In the first round the defending champion John McEnroe cruised past Peter McNamara of Australia in straight sets notwithstanding his acrimonious encounters with the tennis umpire and line judges. Jimmy Connors cruised past his nondescript opponent in straight sets. Ivan Lendl swept past Mel Purcell in straight sets. Pat Cash barely survived by the skin of his teeth in a close five set encounter against Todd Nelson. The veteran Tom Gullikson defenestrated the young, talented Slovakian Miloslav Mecir. A similar fate had to be endured by Henrik Sundstrom of Sweden, who was eliminated by Greg Holmes. The canny veteran Vitas Gerulaitis had a close shave against Peter Fleming, John McEnroe’s doubles partner. Gerulaitis came through in five tough sets. The Queen’s Club Champion namely the 17 year old Boris Becker came back from a set down to defeat Hank Pfister in a well fought four-set match in the first round. The only shocking upset in the fourth round was witnessed when the French Open champion and holder of 4 Grand Slams Mats Wilander, who was one of the best players in the world succumbed in four sets to the blisteringly fast serves of the Serbian Slobodan Zivojinovic. Zivojinovic had stunned the London crowd with his lightning serves and with the nonchalant way in which he knocked out Wilander in the opening round. Wilander’s exit opened up the draw for the other top players but everyone was still wary of the young Zivojinovic, who had sonorously sounded alarm bells for others. Second Round - In the second round the defending champion John McEnroe overcame his demons to outmatch Nduka Odizor of Nigeria. Odizor, who had lost the previous year to the unseeded German Boris Becker, was initially giving the defending champion a mighty scare in the first set when he had broken McEnroe and advanced to a 5-3 lead. McEnroe, however, broke back and took the set to a tiebreaker, in which he prevailed over the Nigerian. In the second set, McEnroe treated the Nigerian with utter disdain. He won the second set 6 - 1. The third set, like the first, went to a tiebreak, which McEnroe comfortably won 7 - 1. In other matches the unseeded Boris Becker threw Matt Anger around incessantly like a rag doll. Becker demolished Anger in straight sets, the scorecard reading in favor of Becker 6-0 6-1 6-3. Slobodan Zivojinovic, the Serbian giant who had knocked the stuffing out of the great Mats Wilander, met his match in the second round. The big serving Serbian lost a close five set match to another big server, the Swiss Heinz Guenthardt. Ivan Lendl survived a rain-hampered five setter against Mike Leach. Lendl, ill at ease on grass, looked uncomfortable against Leach but somehow scraped through. Pat Cash, the previous year’s Wimbledon semi-finalist had a tough time against Ricardo Acuna before finally succumbing to his superior opponent on the day in a nail-biting five setter. Johan Kriek, who had eliminated Victor Pecci in the first round, won against John Fitzgerald of Australia in four sets. Kevin Curren ousted Mike De Palmer in four sets while the talented Stefan Edberg took out Tim Wilkison of the United States in five tough sets. Jimmy Connors, Anders Jarryd, Yannick Noah, Vitas Gerulaitis, Henri Leconte, Ramesh Krishnan and Joakim Nystrom were victorious in their second round encounters. Other than the veteran Vitas Gerulaitis, who prevailed in a tough five setter, most of these players won without much fuss. Third Round - The third round had some exciting matches. Jimmy Connors had a tough match against Ramesh Krishnan, the elegant tennis player from India. The first three sets were very tight and tense. It was a battle of nerves. The veteran Connors edged out the stylish Krishnan in this department to win 2 out of the first three sets. At 1-set all, Connors won a vital third set. The third set, like the first two, could have gone either way. Connors’ experience, steely nerves, cunning and willpower saw him win a close third set. In the fourth set, Connors capitalized on his lead and eviscerated a deflated Ramesh Krishnan. Connors won 7-5 5-7 7-5 6-2. In complete contrast to Connors, the defending champion John McEnroe breezed through his third round encounter with Christo Steyn in straight sets. He had very few hiccups and dispatched Steyn with ease. Johan Kriek, twice victorious previously at the Australian Open, suffered a setback. He was out of sorts in his match with Andreas Maurer and lost tamely to a run-of-the-mill German tennis player. Stefan Edberg and Kevin Curren won their matches with consummate ease. They sent their nondescript opponents home packing. Edberg and Curren would clash in the next round. Sammy Giammalva upended Ben Testerman, the 1984 semi-finalist at the Australian Open, in four grueling sets after losing the first one. A qualifier called Robert Seguso shocked Tom Gullikson, the vanquisher of the Slovakian tennis artist Miloslav Mecir. David Pate, who had taken out Steve Denton in the previous round, was woken up from his reverie on the grass courts of England. The Chilean Ricardo Acuna showed him the light of day as he crushed Pate’s dream in straight sets. Acuna, the conqueror of Pat Cash, set up a fourth round encounter with Seguso. The Swede Anders Jarryd swept away his opponent to sail to the fourth round. Yannick Noah, the 1983 French Open champion, was tamed by the seasoned serve and volleyer from India videlicet Vijay Amritraj. Amritraj, a grass court specialist, defenestrated Noah. Amritraj won in four sets. Meanwhile, Vitas Gerulaitis, who had won two back-to-back five set matches, failed in his bid to win three straight back-to-back five set matches. The powerful serving Swiss Heinz Gunthardt caught him short in his quest. Gunthardt’s honeymoon at Wimbledon continued. He had three prized scalps namely Brian Teacher, Slobodan Zivojinovic and Vitas Gerulaitis. Teacher and Gerulaitis were Grand Slam champions, both of whom had been dispatched by the big serving Swiss Heinz Gunthardt. Gunthardt would meet, in the fourth round, the phlegmatic Vijay Amritraj. Henri Leconte, in his third round encounter, had knocked John Lloyd out of the tournament while Ivan Lendl took Shlomo Glickstein out of the competition. Leconte would meet Lendl in the fourth round in a much hyped-up match as the talented French serve and volley exponent would spar against the explosive Czech baseliner. In a very tough match in the third round, Tim Mayotte showed a lot of character, determination, tenacity and courage as he defeated Paul McNamee of Australia after being two sets to love down. The turning point of the match was the tiebreaker in the third set that Mayotte won. The last two sets were anticlimactic as McNamee meekly surrendered to the gentlemanly Tim Mayotte. Mayotte triumphed 3-6 4-6 7-6 6-2 6-0. Nevertheless, despite the wave of exciting and exhausting tennis matches in the third round, the most exhilarating tennis match was unequivocally that between the Swede Joakim Nystrom, the seventh seed, and the unseeded Boris Becker of Germany. Becker versus Nystrom - None of the third round matches could hold a candle to this one where fortunes were oscillating to and fro. The match was a nail-biting contest that kept the spectators on the edge of their seats in Court One. In the first set, Nystrom nullified Becker’s raw power and brute force with his experience and cunning. His lobs and other sneaky strokes caught a jejune Boris off guard. Boris lost the first set and it seemed like the blond German would be soon on his way out of Wimbledon. Nevertheless, Becker had other ideas. Becker unleashed his blistering serves in the second set much to the chagrin and frustration of Nystrom. The dogged Nystrom somehow took the set to a tiebreaker. The tiebreaker was crucial, more so for Boris. If Boris lost the second set, winning the match would be an uphill task for him. Boris’s cannonball serves was the pivotal factor in the second set tiebreak. Boris won the second set 7-6. It was 1-set all. The match was at that point of time postponed by the umpire as a result of dim light. The Becker-Nystrom tussle resumed two days later. The third set showcased Becker’s superb serve and volley style of play as well as his lightning service returns and piercing passing shot returns. Becker just walloped Nystrom 6-1 in the third set. In the fourth set, Nystrom regrouped himself and demonstrated his experience and will power. Nystrom won the fourth set 6-4 and was looking menacing in the fifth. It seemed like the teenage German’s inexperience and vulnerability would succumb to Nystrom’s experience and equanimity. Nystrom broke Becker’s vaunted serve. When Nystrom was serving for the match at 5 – 4, it appeared to be curtains for Boris. Contrary to conventional wisdom, boisterous Boris broke Nystrom. Becker’s blitzkrieg service returns and passing shots stunned the staid Swede. Not just Nystrom, but the entire Wimbledon crowd was astounded. Becker had leveled the score to 5 - 5 with his stinging passing shot service returns and breathtaking passing shot returns. Nonetheless, the stable, stocky and stoic Swede hit back. Becker was broken once again. Surely, the sagacious Nystrom would close the match this time on his serve. There would be no miracle this time. Boris would not be able to break again. He would have to soon pack his bags and exit England. This was a foregone conclusion. Every one knew it. They waited for Nystrom to complete the formality. But, wait! Lo and behold! Boris has other ideas and pulls the rug vigorously out of Nystrom’s feet. Boris breaks Nystrom once again, much to the freakish surprise of the enthralled English spectators. It is 6 – all. Becker holds on to his service game and leads 7 - 6. In the next game, Nystrom hangs on to dear life on his inelegant serve to make it 7 -all. Becker wins his service game to make it 8 – 7. Becker, buoyed by confidence after having escaped from the jaws of death in the nick of time, finally delivers the coup de grace to Nystrom. Becker breaks Nystrom once more to win the final set 9 -7. This was a cliffhanger of a match where the pugilistic German overwhelmed the phlegmatic Swede. It remained to be seen whether this match would be a harbinger of a new era in tennis history. Having the benefit of hindsight, we now know the answer to this question. Becker was twice simply two points away from defeat against the placid Nystrom. It was 30-all on Nystrom’s serve at 5 – 4 in the fifth set when the legend of a blond German teenage tennis sensation namely Becker began unfolding. Becker’s lethal backhand came to the fore at this point in time. Becker’s backhand passing shots turned the tables upside down on the nonplussed Nystrom. Becker and Nystrom exchanged two breaks each. Becker had lost his serve the second time by serving double faults. Nystrom was in the driver’s seat again by breaking Becker in the 11th game of the set again and serving at 6 – 5 and 15 – 0 in the 12th game. Again, Becker’s ballistic backhand combined with a good forehand broke Nystrom’s back. After the 12th game of the set, things were not quite the same. Becker had not only worn out Nystrom physically but had also broken his morale. Becker hit lightning serves and unplayable volleys to seize the initiative at once. Carpe Diem! Arte et Marte! Becker delivered the final blow to Nystrom in the 16th game of the set. Becker broke Nystrom for the third time in the deciding set. Becker won 9 – 7 in the fifth set. Becker in the limelight – After the match, the media was awash with lavish praise for Becker’s calm and composed handling of the extremely tense moments of the match. Nystrom foresaw a bright future for Becker at Wimbledon. The defending champion McEnroe thought that Becker could prove to be sinister for the top players. Ion Tiriac thought that Becker was fully capable of toppling the apple cart in men’s tennis. Tiriac did not rule out Becker’s chances at Wimbledon that year. He was also impressed by Becker’s audacious strokeplay. Becker himself was brimming with confidence and was upbeat about his chance of success in the future. He announced with characteristic chutzpah that time had come in men’s tennis for the old guard to make way for the new. In the match against Nystrom, Becker unleashed 19 aces, chipped and charged successfully on Nystrom’s serve on many occasions and clobbered jumping overheads off Nystrom’s lobs. Fourth Round – The fourth round would witness the next round of pulsating matches. The defending champion John McEnroe pancaked the German Andreas Maurer to advance to the quarterfinals. McEnroe would meet the 1984 Australian Open runner-up Kevin Curren in the quarterfinal. Kevin Curren had burst the bubble of the Swedish teen sensation Stefan Edberg, who was one of the favorites to win Wimbledon that year. Bjorn Borg thought that it would be either McEnroe or Edberg that would lift the trophy that year at Wimbledon. Edberg’s departure enhanced McEnroe’s chances of winning a fourth Wimbledon crown. McEnroe had met Curren in Wimbledon 1980 4th round and defeated him convincingly. Besides defeating Curren at Wimbledon 1980, Johnny Mac also demolished Kevin Curren in the 4th round at the 1981 US Open. McEnroe lead 2-0 against Curren at Grand Slam matches and had an overall record of 7-0 against Curren in career head to head matches including ATP tournaments. It seemed like McEnroe should not face much trouble against Curren in the quarters. Nevertheless, there is a caveat. John should not underestimate Kevin Curren as it would be unwise to do so. Curren is in top form and looks to be peaking at the right time. In a match of big servers, Curren overpowered Edberg. Curren’s unique and devastating serve proved to be a handful for Edberg. Edberg was encumbered while returning Curren’s wicked serve. Curren smashed ace after ace in dispatching Edberg in straight sets. Curren handled Edberg’s elegant slice and kick serves relatively with ease. Edberg was overwhelmed by Curren’s blistering power and pace in a lopsided contest. If Curren plays against McEnroe the way he played against Edberg, the McEnroe-Curren quarterfinal could be a cracking match. Jimmy Connors, the wily veteran, looked in pristine form today as he decimated Sammy Giammalva in straight sets to advance to the quarterfinal. Connors would meet the Chilean Ricardo Acuna, who easily downed Robert Seguso. Anders Jarryd of Sweden comprehensively routed Danie Visser of South Africa to reach the quarterfinals. Jarryd would meet the big server from Switzerland scilicet Heinz Gunthardt, who scored a major upset in the fourth round by knocking out the seasoned grass court specialist Vijay Amritraj of India. The talented Amritraj, India’s best tennis player, who has innumerable victories over top players like Borg, Connors and McEnroe was simply stunned by the obscure Swiss in straight sets. Gunthardt seems to have a fair chance of upending Jarryd. One of the best fourth round matches was played between Ivan Lendl of Czechoslovakia, the second seed and the unseeded Frenchman Henri Leconte. It was an exciting match, which had the spectators completely engrossed. Another riveting fourth round match that captured the unadulterated attention of the viewers was that on Court 14 between the 16th seeded American Tim Mayotte, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist and the German wunderkind Boris Becker, who had already enraptured the British crowds with his dashing and daring strokeplay. In the following paragraphs I will elaborate more on these two thrilling, edge-of-the-seat contests. Becker versus Mayotte – In the Becker-Mayotte match at Court 14, Becker served powerfully and returned Mayotte’s solid serves with style and substance. Becker broke Mayotte’s serve in the sixth game of the set. The German then held on to his serves to capture the first set with ease. The score line read 6-3 in favor of Becker. In the second set, Mayotte fought hard and saved break points on his serve with very good volleys. The first nine games of the second set with serve. Becker was looking quite comfortable in the match. It is then that the unthinkable happened. At 4-5 Becker served two disastrous double faults and gave Mayotte an opening. Mayotte seized the opportunity and won the second set 6-4 with perfect passing shots to make it one set all. The match was back on an even keel. In the third set both Becker and Mayotte had to work hard to hold their service games. They did however manage to hold on to their service games and the set went to a tiebreaker. Mayotte gained a mini-break in the tiebreaker with a good passing shot to go up 4-2. At 4-6 in the tiebreak with Becker serving to hold on to the set, Mayotte played a spectacular passing shot to take the third set 7-6. Mayotte now led two sets to one and was looking poised to dispatch Becker. In the first ten games of the fourth set there was no drama as both players served and volleyed very well to hold onto their games though Mayotte looked slightly menacing with his picture perfect passing shots. The 11th game of the fourth set saw a few heated verbal exchanges between the upstart German and the veteran American. Mayotte’s returns were terrific and earned him a break point against Becker. This is where the German’s gritty character was on display as he dug himself out of the hole. On break point Mayotte hit a tremendous service return but Becker rose to the occasion and played a delectable half volley to make it deuce. He went on to win his service game and pumped his fist. In the next game at 30-15 on Mayotte’s serve, Becker slipped and fell to the ground. He badly twisted his leg and was about to retire hurt from the match. He even went up to the net to shake Mayotte’s hand but his opponent did not accept Becker’s surrender. Becker, however, told the umpire that he wanted to throw in the towel. At this point in time, it looked like déjà vu as the previous year at Wimbledon he had succumbed to a badly sprained ankle in his match against Bill Scanlon. This time, nonetheless, his overbearing and high-handed manager Ion Tiriac bellowed at him to not give up. The heavy-handed mannerisms of his manager and despotic demeanor made Boris change his mind. He took an injury time out and continued the match in his wounded state. Mayotte won his service game and took the set to a tiebreak. Becker edged out Mayotte in a thrilling tiebreaker that could have gone either way to win the set 7-6 and make it two sets all. After the conclusion of the fourth set, Boris’s leg was heavily strapped up to assuage the pain and injury. Boris inured himself to the injury and inconvenience. He soldiered on to play the last set, where Mayotte would serve first. In the fifth set just like the fourth, when the chips were down, Becker ‘s willpower did not wilt. Becker proved himself able to the task by breaking Mayotte’s serve successfully twice in the first and seventh games of the fifth set. Becker held on to his serve and on his way to a tremendous triumph served some scorching aces and service winners. Becker won a close five setter against Mayotte and his steely nerves were the talk of town. He had now marched on to the quarterfinal where he would take on the winner of the Lendl-Leconte contest. Lendl versus Leconte – In the Lendl-Leconte match, Lendl won the first set. Lendl’s sizzling serves in the first set put him ahead in the match. Lendl’s powerful play looked menacing compared to Leconte’s inconsistent game. In the second set, Lendl faulted on his first serves and his second serve lacked the sting of his first. The flamboyant Frenchman Leconte capitalized on Lendl’s lackluster serve to break him with him some breathtaking returns. Leconte anticipated Lendl’s serves and hit rocket-like returns. Leconte won the second set with ease. Leconte’s service got bigger and better as the match progressed. Lendl was simply rendered a stunned spectator. Leconte’s rapier returns and vicious volleys proved to be too much for Ivan’s artificial grass court game. In the fourth set, the Leconte juggernaut crushed a demoralized and distressed Lendl. Leconte’s superb serving and swift service returns had befuddled Lendl. Leconte won over Lendl in four sets. The score was 3-6 6-3 6-3 6-1. Leconte would now meet Becker in the quarters. This would be a match of two extremely promising serve and volley players. Leconte’s magnificent performance against Lendl gave him a slight edge against Becker. The other quarterfinals were Jarryd versus Gunthardt, Connors versus Acuna and McEnroe versus Curren. McEnroe was the clear favorite against Curren notwithstanding the latter’s clinical performance against young Edberg. Connors was expected to defeat the big serving Chilean Acuna. In the Gunthardt - Jarryd quarterfinal, Gunthardt was expected to overcome Jarryd. After all, Gunthardt had ousted the monstrous server Zivojinovic and upset the wise veterans Vitas Gerulaitis, Vijay Amritraj and Brian Teacher. Two of Gunthardt’s scalps had been Grand Slam Champions. Gunthardt was on a roll in Wimbledon 1985. The four quarterfinals presented a promising prospect of watching high quality grass court tennis. Six of the eight men had smashing serves while two of them were very slippery service returners. Quarterfinals – In the first quarterfinal, Heinz Gunthardt disappointed many people as the Swede Anders Jarryd dispatched him in straight sets. Jarryd had feet of quicksilver and his returns were unbelievable. Jarryd made short work of Gunthardt and marched into his first Grand Slam semifinal. Jimmy Connors, eight-time Grand Slam champion and former two-time Wimbledon champion, again became a hot favorite to win Wimbledon for the third time after he decisively defeated his quarterfinal opponent Ricardo Acuna in straight sets. Acuna served very well but found Connors’s groundstrokes too hot to handle. Acuna’s service returns were rather run-of-the-mill and unable to pierce through Connors’s serves. McEnroe versus Curren – The defending champion John McEnroe was expected to breeze through to the semifinals. Instead, he was unceremoniously dethroned as his characteristically swinging serve lost its sharpness and sting. McEnroe moved lethargically and was playing in a perfunctory manner. McEnroe’s volleys were blunt and were regularly passed by Curren. McEnroe committed many forced and unforced errors in the match. It was as if McEnroe was sleepwalking in the match and his style of serve and volley tennis had descended into serve and folly tennis. The way McEnroe played made him look like a zombie. On the other hand, Curren was in fine fettle. Curren simply knocked the stuffing out of a jaded McEnroe. Curren’s unique, low-toss and quick serve confounded McEnroe. McEnroe had no answer for Curren’s searing serves. Curren volleyed very well and kept McEnroe at bay. Curren’s virile service returns pummeled McEnroe into abject submission. Curren had upset the apple cart and seemed like a menacing prospect for anyone in his path. Becker versus Leconte – Meanwhile, Boris Becker’s fairytale at Wimbledon continued. The first set was so close that it could have gone either way. Becker eventually got the better of Leconte in a tiebreaker to go ahead in the match. Becker’s acrobatic abilities and fighting qualities helped him edge out Leconte in the first set. In the second set, Leconte struck back with marquee serves, volleys and returns to bring the match back on an even keel. Leconte displayed in the second set some of the form that helped him beat Lendl in the previous round. Nevertheless, Leconte’s form was evanescent as Becker’s destructive and superior service helped the German win the two next sets and the match. The ebullient German had demolished the flamboyant French and was in the Wimbledon semifinals. Semifinals – Kevin Curren would meet Jimmy Connors in the first semifinal. In the second semifinal, the Swede Anders Jarryd would take on the German teenage sensation Boris Becker. The bookmakers had betted on a Connors-Becker Wimbledon final. Becker had suddenly burst onto the scene out of nowhere. He was simply astounding everyone with his powerful and acrobatic style of play, effervescent manner and conduct, entertaining antics and boundless confidence to such an extent that the bookmakers had given him an edge over Connors in a possible confrontation in a Wimbledon final. It remained to be seen whether the bookmakers’ assessment of Becker would be vindicated. Connors versus Curren - On Friday, July 5th the first semifinal kicked off featuring the eight-time Grand Slam champion Jimmy Connors (also a former two-time Wimbledon champion) against the big-serving, grass court specialist Kevin Curren. Kevin Curren, was a runner-up in the 1984 Australian Open to Mats Wilander. In 1983, Kevin was a semifinalist at Wimbledon. On his way to the semis at Wimbledon in 1983, Kevin had knocked out Connors in the fourth round with an armada of aces. At that time, Connors’ loss to Curren was considered an aberration. Everyone expected this time Connors would turn the tables on Curren. Curren was simply thought of as a flash in the pan. The tennis experts and the public expected Connors to throw Curren out of the tournament. Notwithstanding the underappreciating public, the purportedly garden-variety Curren played out of this world against the ageing Connors. Curren’s performance against Connors was over the top. It was simply a mind-blowing spectacle to see Curren manhandle Connors. It was agonizing for the Connors fans, which included Princess Diana, to see Curren continuously pummeling Connors without respite. Connors was simply supine that day and offered no resistance to a rampaging Curren. It was a case of history repeating itself at Wimbledon. Like two years ago, Connors had no answer to Curren’s thunderous serves. Curren belted eighteen aces in the match. Bud Collins, the legendary commentator, referred to him as a gun-slinging cowboy. Dick Enberg, another legend, agreed with him. They both said that Curren’s double-barreled gun was simply too overpowering for Connors. Connors, like McEnroe in Curren’s previous match, found Curren to be a solid brick wall with impenetrable defense. Curren’s volleys had amazing angles and his smashes were superb. Connors waited patiently for the storm to subside. It never did. Curren continuously complemented his menacing serves with amazingly accurate volleys and tremendously fast smashes. Connors was simply no match for Curren that day. Connors’ service returns were sloppy and his passing shots lacked penetration. Connors’ lobs were not good enough to keep Curren from approaching the net. Connors’s play did not have the counterpunch to keep Curren locked to the baseline. Connors’s own serve was slow and was not spared by Curren. Curren’s strong service returns and passing shots made Connors look like an amateur. Curren’s victory over McEnroe in the previous round with tremendous service returns and passing shots made him infallible against Connors’s vapid volleys. Curren broke Connors several times in the match and conceded only five games. Curren defeated Connors 6-2 6-2 6-1. Curren had once again knocked out a giant. Curren had claimed two scalps namely McEnroe and Connors in quick succession. Curren had reached his first Wimbledon final and was now a clear favorite to lift the crown. For the first time, Curren was now being expected to win Wimbledon. It remained to be seen who would face Curren in the final. Would it be boisterous Becker or the pugnacious Jarryd? Curren’s opponent in the final did not seem to matter at some level, as his opponent seemed to be the imminent runner-up. After all, Curren had pancaked McEnroe and Connors. Before that, Curren had defenestrated the talented Stefan Edberg in the fourth round. All three victims of Curren had lost in straight sets to him. Most people expected Curren to bulldoze his opponent in the final. Curren had however mentioned to the press that he would prefer to play Jarryd, not Becker, in the final. Curren, despite being the overarching favorite in the Wimbledon final, was slightly apprehensive about Becker’s booming serves. In the second semifinal the Swede Anders Jarryd met the German Boris Becker. Jarryd, despite being world number five and the fifth seed at Wimbledon that year, was considered an underdog against the unseeded Becker. After all, Becker had edged out the seeded players Nystrom and Mayotte in two nail-biting five setters in the third and fourth rounds respectively. In the quarterfinal Becker had knocked out the unpredictably dangerous and marvelously gifted Henri Leconte. Becker versus Jarryd –In complete contrast to what everyone expected, Becker started poorly against Jarryd. Jarryd’s service returns took the thunder out of Becker’s thundering serves and made the German look pretty ordinary in the first set. Jarryd’s service returns were struck with such ferocity that Becker was looking rather inept at volleying the returning ball. Becker could not handle the pace and depth of Jarryd’s passing shots. Jarryd made Becker look like an amateur volleyer at the net. It is out of respect for Jarryd’s missile like returns that Becker stayed back a lot on his second serve and sometimes even on his first serve. Jarryd broke Becker twice in the first set. Jarryd won the first set 6-2 and had the Becker camp tearing their hair out in frustration. Becker had never faced a returner of Jarryd’s class at Wimbledon and was looking bewildered. Becker was dumbfounded at the unexpected intensity of Jarryd’s returns. Jarryd hit more than a dozen winners in the first set to stun Becker. A dumbstruck Becker made more than half a dozen unforced errors in the first set to make matters worse. The second set did not begin well for Becker. As in the first set, Jarryd was returning Becker’s serves with consummate perfection. Jarryd’s passing shots were delightful. Becker’s service was out of rhythm. Becker’s forehand and backhand groundstrokes were very erratic and had no bite. Becker looked out of sorts and was in danger of going two sets to love down in a crucial semifinal match. Jarryd broke Becker and was leading 4-2. It would be an uphill task for Becker to claw himself back into the match being two sets to love down. In the nick of time Becker broke back Jarryd to make it 4-4 in the second set. Jarryd won the next game to go up 5-4. On Becker’s serve, Jarryd had a breakpoint, which was also a set point for him. Jarryd had come within one point of winning the second set. At this pivotal moment, Becker served an ace to erase Jarryd’s set point. It was deuce. Jarryd won the next point and had another set point. Becker saved this set point too with incedible volleying at the net. It was back to deuce. Becker finally won that game to make it 5-5. The second set eventually reached a tiebreaker. Jarryd had a mini-break in the tiebreaker and was leading 3-1. It looked like the Swede would soon pocket the second set. Becker’s task of winning the Wimbledon semifinal from being two sets down would be Sisyphean. Becker was once again precariously standing on the edge of the precipice. It is at this point of time that Becker stopped himself from going into free-fall. Becker retorted with devastating serves. Becker’s two aces in the tiebreaker were scorching and searing. Becker was spitting fire and venom like a fire-breathing dragon. Becker, on top of that, incinerated Jarryd with destructive returns of his own. Becker, with his ruthless returns, gave Jarryd a taste of his own medicine. Becker clinched the tiebreaker 7 -3. It was one-set all and the match had once again evened out. Becker had a slight momentum after winning the second set 7-6. At one-game all in the third set, it started pouring. Play had to be stopped on Friday and was postponed to the next day. On Saturday, Jarryd was speechless as Becker unleashed his volcanic serves. Becker’s service returns were elevated to a different level in the third set and Jarryd’s insipid serves and decent volleys were persistently pierced through by Becker’s eerily early service returns and pillaging passing shots. Becker’s rip-roaring serves helped Becker snatch the third set 6-3 with impunity. Becker piled on the pain and misery for Jarryd in the fourth set. Although Jarryd played slightly better in the fourth than in the third set, his play still lacked the incisiveness to make an impact on the match. Jarryd was not able to recover the previous day’s form. A plundering Becker incessantly pulverized Jarryd’s run-of-the-mill serves. Becker won the fourth set 6-3. Becker had dispatched Jarryd with utter disdain and had stormed his way into the Wimbledon final. Unseeded, seventeen year old Becker was the first German in nearly fifty years to reach the Wimbledon final. It remained to be seen whether Becker could do the impossible. Wimbledon 1985 Final The final was on July 7th. Kevin Curren, conqueror of McEnroe and Connors, was the firm favorite for the final. At that point of time, the prevailing consensus was that Curren had the best serve in men’s tennis. Even Becker acknowledged that. Nonetheless, Becker was unfazed by the situation. He was not in trepidation at playing on Centre Court at Wimbledon. He was not anxious or terrified in playing in the Wimbledon final in front of a sophisticated and snooty crowd. On the contrary, Becker relished the idea of playing the most important match in his life at the mecca of tennis. Becker, despite being the underdog, was brimming with confidence and cockiness. On the other hand, Curren was slightly intimidated by the occasion. Curren, despite being the favorite, was under pressure. Everybody expected him to perform as he had been doing in the previous rounds. The pressure weighed him down. Curren was unconfident about how well he could handle Becker’s dynamite serves. Curren could not conceal his stress. It had become evident on his face and Becker could sense it. Becker versus Curren – Becker served first in the first set. He won his service game and led 1-0 in the first set. In the next game of the match, an upbeat Becker broke Curren’s serve to go up 2-0. Becker returned Curren’s serve very well to gain an early lead in the match. Curren’s unforced errors in his first service game of the match were costly. A double fault by Curren sealed the first break for Becker. Becker did not look back and served thunderbolts on his way to winning the first set 6-3. Becker served four aces in the first set and had a high first serve percentage of 63 %. Becker served blistering service winners and aces in the first set and followed them up with punishing smashes and very good volleys to easily win his service games. Curren had plenty of trouble returning Becker’s powerhouse serves and was unable to break him. Meanwhile, Becker’s forehand service return was looking ominous. Becker returned the ball quickly and viciously off Curren’s first and second serves. This meant that Curren had to play difficult volleys. At the end of the first set, Curren’s first serve percentage was below 50 %. In the second set, Curren started serving much better. He began to find the rhythm on his serve. His first service percentage went up. Curren’s volleys improved by leaps and bounds in the second set. Curren was able to recover his fighting spirit and saved off break points on his serve. On Becker’s serve, Curren had break points of his own but was unable to convert into service breaks. Becker started serving bigger but also made double faults and unforced errors. In the second set, Becker served nine aces. Nevertheless, Becker’s first serve percentage started dipping in the second set. It was Becker’s grittiness that helped him hold on to his service games in the second set. At 6-6, the second set went to a tiebreaker. In the second set tiebreaker, Becker had a minibreak. Becker went to a 3-0 lead. Nonetheless, Curren started returning Becker’s serves very well in the tiebreaker. Curren broke Becker’s serve a few times in the tiebreaker and held on to his own easily to snatch the second set from Becker. Curren snatched five points in a row from Becker. Curren won the tiebreaker 7-4. At one-set all, the match was well balanced and it was anybody’s game now. Curren had doggedly fought back to win the crucial second set. If Becker had won the second set, Curren would have had his task cut out. That was thankfully not the case for Curren. After winning the second set, Curren had evened the match. Curren had a slight edge at the beginning of the third set after coming back from adversity to win the second set. Curren gained in confidence after winning the second set. Curren had much more experience in professional tennis than Becker and it seemed like the seasoned veteran would now overcome the brash youngster. At the beginning of the third set, Becker served first. The third set would be a psychological test for Becker. Becker’s performance in the third set would show whether Becker could put the disappointment of the second set behind him. Becker’s camp was worried. They felt that Boris had the second set in his grasp and simply threw it away. The first six games of the set went with serve. Becker served big and volleyed well. Curren had got into his groove and was now returning Becker’s serve even better than in the second set. However, Curren was still unable to break Becker’s service game in the match. On his own serve, Curren served and volleyed well. As in the second set, Becker’s service returns and passing shots were not good enough to break Curren’s canny serve. At 3-3 in the third set, the match was evenly poised. Finally, in the seventh game of the third set, Curren returned Becker’s serves with power and accuracy to break him. Curren had broken Becker’s serve for the first time in the match. Becker was clearly perturbed and undone by the uneven bounce at the Centre Court. Two weeks of wear and tear had taken its toll on the grass courts at Wimbledon. Center Court had plenty of patches where there was hardly any grass. These brown patches of dirt made play very difficult for the players. Becker seemed to be more bothered than Curren by these rough spots. Curren now clearly had the edge in the third set and would just have to hold on to his trademark serve to win the third set. But, lo and behold, Becker breaks Curren back and makes it 4-4. Becker had other ideas when it looked like Curren would burst his bubble. The tough and resilent teenager from Germany came up with spectacular service returns and pretty passing shots to get his second service break in the match. Becker started serving better in his next two service games. Curren’s confidence had gone down a notch but he doggedly hung on to his serves. Becker’s service returns and passing shots were superb but Curren saved four set points on his service games to deny Becker a second service break in the third set. Curren made it 6-6 and took the third set to a tiebreaker. The third set tiebreaker was the second tiebreaker of the match. Becker’s screaming serves and scorching returns helped him jump to a 6-0 lead in the tiebreaker of the third set. Curren won back three points including two on Becker’s serve. It was Becker leading 6-3 in the tiebreaker. It was now Curren’s chance to serve. Curren could win the next two points on his serve and prolong the tiebreaker but Becker had other ideas. Becker hit a tremendous service return winner of his forehand wing on Curren’s first serve to clinch the tiebreaker 7-3. Becker had won the third set 7-6. He was now leading two sets to one and had an edge over Curren. Becker again tilted the match in his favor with heavy serves, stupendous service returns and passing shots that were struck like missiles. It must be mentioned that in the first three sets Becker had struck nineteen aces. Even Becker’s second serves were strong and kicked up high in the first three sets. Becker’s smashes were devastating and his diving volleys were simply a treat. Curren was having a torrid time returning Becker’s blasting serves in the first three sets. Becker was returning Curren’s first and second serves with heavy topspin and this vexed Curren. Becker’s forehand returns were on fire that day and scorched Curren. The fourth set would now start with a perplexed Curren to serve first. Curren would have to muster all his strength and guile to now salvage the match. The million-dollar question was whether Curren had it in him to rescue the fourth set from a rampaging redhead ready to flatten anything that stood in his path. The answer came quickly. In the first game of the fourth set, Becker seized on the initiative and broke Curren’s serve. This was the third time in the day that Becker had broken Curren. Becker’s swift service returns and panzer like passing shots were a bit too much for Curren to handle. Becker had gone up 1-0 in the fourth set with a break. In the next game, Becker saved two break points on his serve and held on. It was now 2-0. In the next six games, Curren tried in vain to break Becker’s swashbuckling serves. Curren managed to hold on to his serves by the skin of his teeth in the face of an onslaught of service returns and passing shots by Becker. Becker led 5-3. In the next game, on Curren’s serve, Becker had a break point. This break point was actually a match point for Becker. Becker failed to convert the match point with an erroneous backhand. Curren saved the championship point on his serve and barely held on to his service game. It was now 5-4 with Becker to serve. Becker rose to the occasion on his own serve. He fired his twenty-second ace of the match to go up to 40-15. Becker now had two championship points on his own serve to close out the match in style. At this opportune moment, Becker double faulted. It was now 40-30. On his third championship point, Becker made no mistake. Becker simply nailed down a service winner to win the fourth set 6-4. Becker had won the Wimbledon Championship match in four sets. For the Record Books: Becker had created history by becoming the first German to win Wimbledon. In addition, he was also the first unseeded player in history to win Wimbledon. He was also the youngest winner of Wimbledon at seventeen years old. At that point of time, Becker also held the record for the youngest winner of a Grand Slam tournament. Becker, who did not have a driver’s license, had created a sensation by winning the biggest championship in tennis at the tender age of seventeen. Becker’s fairytale had come true and it still seemed surreal that an unseeded teenager had lifted the trophy. Becker had upset the apple cart. Becker had defeated Curren. It was like David defeating Goliath. It was not just a special moment for Boris Becker but also for his jubilant parents, who were intently watching the match on Centre Court that day. The belief and steadfastness of Becker’s coach Gunther Bosch was vindicated. Ion Tiriac’s hard training and shrewd management had yielded dividends. To this day, Boris Becker remains the youngest winner of the Wimbledon trophy. This was Becker’s first Grand Slam. It remained to be seen whether Becker would win a second Grand Slam and disprove his detractors, who thought of him as being a one-Slam wonder.