Before 1989 (in Open Era), who had the toughest draw to win their first slam?

[drwood]

A continuation of the previous thread which looked at this question from 1989-present: (http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=290469)

In the Open Era prior to 1989, who had the toughest draw to win their first slam? (encompasses 1968-1988.)

Candidates IMO:
Manuel Orantes (75 US Open) - Nastase, Vilas, Connors
Adriano Panatta (76 French) - Borg, Dibbs, Solomon
John McEnroe (79 US Open) - Nastase, Dibbs, Connors, Gerulaitis
Mats Wilander (82 French) - Lendl, Gerulaitis, Clerc, Vilas
Yannick Noah (83 French) - Jarryd, Lendl, Wilander
Ivan Lendl (84 French) - Jarryd, Gomez, Wilander, McEnroe
Boris Becker (85 Wimbledon) - Nystrom, Mayotte, Leconte, Jarryd, Curren
Stefan Edberg (85 Australian) - Masur, Lendl, Wilander
Pat Cash (87 Wimbledon) - Forget, Wilander, Connors, Lendl


Note: Ashe 68 US Open, Nastase 72 US Open, Borg 74 French and Connors 74 Australian weren't as strong as the above candidates.

As usual, no trolling, flaming, bashing or hating, please. Thank you.