memories of the 80 US Open

[kiki]

In terms of historical performance, few events will compare, at least in the open era to the 77 or 80 Wimbledon.Only Laver´s slam can have a bigger claim as an individual pick.

But I think the 80 USO was almost as good or just as good

The Borg-Mc Enroe 1980 match is a memorable one, but there were not many other great matches in the male´s event, I´d say 1981 was overall better for the guys.Connors-Tanner and Gerulaitis-Fibak and that´s about it.

In the women´s ranks, Wimbledon had many memorable matches, while the final was the last great meeting of one of the all time best rivalries with Goolagong beating Evert

Evonne bested the two up and coming youngsters (Tracy and Hana) before beating Chris.

That is similar to what happened in the male´s 1980 Flushing Meadows tourney.Nothing can compare to Mc Enroe´s achievement in beating the other three members of the Golden Era quator one after the other to claim his second title.Now it looks different but....can you imagine somebody beating Lendl in 4 sets at the QF ( after being blasted in the first set), Connors in the 5 sets semi ( in a match that felt no short of interest compared to their 1984 meeting and their 1982 W final) and, of course, he avenged his W lost against Borg by beating him over 5 strenuous sets, and with a very dramatic sequence.Mac won the first two sets, Borg won the 3,4 ( one of them a close tie break) and finally won the final set tie break.Just as thrilling or probably more than at London two months before.

But we also had the pleasure of a very dramatic Borg-Tanner qf ( Borg avenging his 79 defeat in the same stage of the tournament) and, of course, Borg´s semifinal against a dazzling Kriek, who won the first two sets before the swede took command.

The women´s event was not at that level but still great.The semifinal line up was: Chris Evert against the new generation´s three stars.Tracy Austin, whom she beat in the semis to avenge her defeat at the last year final ( what a big release for her¡¡¡) and Hana Mandlikova and Andrea Jaeger.Hana beat Andrea and reached the finals ( she had also beaten Navratilova in the fourth round¡¡¡)...and played a great first set before Evert won the second and third.

And Lutz/Smith beating Mac and Fleming in a memorable doubles final .

One of the most exhilarating slams that I have ever seen.And, after this tournament, people took Flushing Meadows to their hearts and the long Forest Hills shadow seemed to eclipse.

 

[Mustard]

The Borg-Mc Enroe 1980 match is a memorable one, but there were not many other great matches in the male´s event

The 1980 US Open men's event had other great matches. The McEnroe vs. Connors semi final and Borg vs. Tanner quarter final come to mind immediately.

I´d say 1981 was overall better for the guys.Connors-Tanner and Gerulaitis-Fibak and that´s about it.

I'm confused. Borg beat Tanner again at the 1981 US Open, while Gerulaitis lost to McEnroe in the semi finals. Fibak lost in the first round to Curren.

 

[urban]

For a player who didn't train, it was a pretty fine athletic performance, beating Lendl, Connors and Borg in exhausting long matches. One short note: Mac won the final set vs. Borg on a break and served it out. It was a curious match, with sudden ups and downs. When Borg climbed back two sets, everyone was talking about his unbeaten 5 set record. Then suddenly he double faulted and lost his serve quite easily. It simply shouldn't be, that USO win.

 

[Mustard]

For a player who didn't train, it was a pretty fine athletic performance, beating Lendl, Connors and Borg in exhausting long matches. One short note: Mac won the final set vs. Borg on a break and served it out. It was a curious match, with sudden ups and downs. When Borg climbed back two sets, everyone was talking about his unbeaten 5 set record. Then suddenly he double faulted and lost his serve quite easily. It simply shouldn't be, that USO win.

The twists and turns in the McEnroe vs. Connors semi final were also incredible. It swung wildly back and forth throughout. McEnroe had set points for a 2 set lead and failed, then lost 11 games in a row as Connors dominated. Then McEnroe won 6 of the next 7 games, then went a break up in the fifth set only to be broken back by Connors when he was serving for the match. And then McEnroe won the fifth set tiebreak.

 

[Phoenix1983]

Defeating Lendl, Connors and Borg in succession in best of 5 matches is mindblowing.

 

[kiki]

The 1980 US Open men's event had other great matches. The McEnroe vs. Connors semi final and Borg vs. Tanner quarter final come to mind immediately.



I'm confused. Borg beat Tanner again at the 1981 US Open, while Gerulaitis lost to McEnroe in the semi finals. Fibak lost in the first round to Curren.

Sorry for this confusion.You got it right.What I meant is that 1980 W did not have too many great male´s matches as opposed to 1980 US Open.And IMO, 1981 male´s Wimbly was better than 1980 Wimbledon.

You are totally right but I just didn´t put the sentence in the order I should have.

apologise.

 

[kiki]

For a player who didn't train, it was a pretty fine athletic performance, beating Lendl, Connors and Borg in exhausting long matches. One short note: Mac won the final set vs. Borg on a break and served it out. It was a curious match, with sudden ups and downs. When Borg climbed back two sets, everyone was talking about his unbeaten 5 set record. Then suddenly he double faulted and lost his serve quite easily. It simply shouldn't be, that USO win.

My bad.yes, Mac won a tie break but that is the first set,The last set went 6-4 in his favour.

 

[kiki]

The twists and turns in the McEnroe vs. Connors semi final were also incredible. It swung wildly back and forth throughout. McEnroe had set points for a 2 set lead and failed, then lost 11 games in a row as Connors dominated. Then McEnroe won 6 of the next 7 games, then went a break up in the fifth set only to be broken back by Connors when he was serving for the match. And then McEnroe won the fifth set tiebreak.

True.Compared to 1984, I think this match was a bit more up and down in quality but was more dramatic.Mac had the edge in 84 but...no player had the edge in 80.

 

[BTURNER]

This event was an absolute triumph for Evert. she was just gaining her full mental strength from a long sabbatical, and had a great summer. As difficult as it was to beat Evert and navratilova back to back, it must have been like living a Lewis Carroll story to rout baseliner Austin and risk taker Mandlikova in the last two sets. Not easy.

 

[kiki]

To me Evonne at W 80 had an even tougher path
Hana in the last 16
Turnbull in the last 8
Tracy in sf
Chris in f
Similar to Mac's 1980 Open
Whom did Chris bested in the last 16 and last 8 at Flushing?
I recall the name of surprising QF Barbara Hellquist,a S&V player whom Austin beat
Never heard of her again...what happened to her?

 

[CEvertFan]

To me Evonne at W 80 had an even tougher path
Hana in the last 16
Turnbull in the last 8
Tracy in sf
Chris in f
Similar to Mac's 1980 Open
Whom did Chris bested in the last 16 and last 8 at Flushing?
I recall the name of surprising QF Barbara Hellquist,a S&V player whom Austin beat
Never heard of her again...what happened to her?

Chris Evert's 1980 US Open:

United States Open Championships (Aug. 26-Sept. 6; Flushing Meadow, Queens, NY, hard, seeded 3):

1R def. Kim Sands 6-0, 6-0
2R def. Peanut Louie 6-3, 6-1
3R def. Wendy White 6-1, 6-1
4R def. JoAnne Russell 6-2, 6-1
QF def. Mima Jausovec 7-6, 6-2
SF def. Tracy Austin [1] 4-6, 6-1, 6-1
F def. Hana Mandlikova [9] 5-7, 6-1, 6-1

 

[kiki]

Big relief for Evert
The turning point when she was beginning to be called out in favour of Austin
Also won a FO title and r/u at Wimb.after beating the holder of the last two yrs
One of her best yrs and a worthy number one
Hana or Austin were number one in 81 but not nearly as clear as Evert in 1980

 

[kiki]

That open also marked Mandlikova first of her four consecutive slam finals
Almost a record for some time