July 7, 1984, Saturday, Final Edition
Lendl's Fast Fade Sends Connors to Meet McEnroe
BYLINE: By David Remnick, Washington Post Staff Writer
SECTION: Sports; C1
LENGTH: 1078 words
DATELINE: LONDON, July 6, 1984
Princess Diana bolted Centre Court before the fourth set for a spot of tea. What was Ivan Lendl's excuse?
With today's first Wimbledon men's semifinal tied at a set all and Lendl leading, 5-4, Jimmy Connors held his service and went on an inspired, seven-game tear that gave him the third set and two breaks in the fourth. Lendl, of course, was not permitted to join the royal party for scones, but his mind and a good portion of his physical strength were obviously absent.
Connors and Lendl split the first 214 points of the match. But the contest ended as soon as Lendl wavered.
Connors began banging balls to every quarter with abandon and delight. Lendl missed most everything. The princess did not miss a thing. Connors won, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 7-5, 6-1.
Diana returned to the Royal Box for a somewhat less dramatic semifinal, defending champion John McEnroe's 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 defeat of Pat Cash.
McEnroe probably expended more energy watching the first semifinal on television than he did playing his match. McEnroe was perfectly content to exchange service games and then get the obligatory break game when he needed it. Cash, 19, is the youngest men's player to reach the semifinals since McEnroe did it in 1977 at the age of 18. But Cash had little to offer McEnroe today other than a decent volley and a tenacious spirit.
McEnroe perspired. It was 86 degrees, after all. But he never did sweat much. Nobody will knock down the doors for a videotape of this match. And yet, it's foolish to think McEnroe will not raise the level of his play for Sunday's final against Connors.
McEnroe has beaten Connors in their last five matches, including a 6-2, 6-2 thrashing three weeks ago on the grass at Queen's Club. But McEnroe is prepared for a highly charged Sunday on the lawn with Connors. Two years ago, Connors beat McEnroe in a five-set Wimbledon final as famous for its emotion as its mastery.
"I've played a lot of big matches with him," said McEnroe, in the final here for the fifth straight year. "That's when he feels he plays his best. The key is not to get overemotional. Connors likes to build it up to that pitch."
Connors knew he would not be able to relax. Lendl had been his master recently, beating him in 20 straight games. Lendl's 6-0, 6-0 destruction at Forest Hills two months ago was the worst defeat of Connors' career.
"Just one of those days," Connors said at the time, but the loss stung him badly.
Since the day he stepped onto Centre Court against Bob Hewitt 13 years ago to play his first match at Wimbledon, Connors has gone for every winner here. He does not know how to coast or even wait. He is Rocky Marciano dressed more politely.
Lendl knew that Connors would play a power game. He knew he needed a way to defuse it, to deflect it with variety and patience. Lendl could not afford to blast every ground stroke, as he had in the quarterfinals against Tomas Smid.
Instead, Lendl continually chipped his backhand cross court to Connors' forehand. Lendl wisely sought to vary the rhythm of the match. He scored 18 aces and a bushel of service winners against one of the best return artists in the history of the game.
Without a single break point in the first set, the players exchanged service to 6-6. In the tie breaker, Connors was the one to crack. He double-faulted to trail, 4-6, then put the first set point into the net.
Considering how well Lendl was serving, Connors won the second set in no time at all. Leading, 1-0, Connors made good on the first break point of the match. Leading, 5-3, he even engaged officials in some street theater. After a suspect call, Connors held his nose as if a skunk, and not a princess, were in the vicinity.
"Court violation," umpire Malcolm Huntington intoned.
The solemnity was comic.
Connors won the point, game and set, anyway, and brought down the house by repeating the nasal antic.
"That'll probably cost me another $500," Connors said later.
Then came the third set, the pivotal series in the match. Lendl seemed to take charge when he broke Connors for a 3-1 lead. But Connors fought back immediately. Lendl had two ads but could not put his opponent away. Lendl blew an easy volley to give Connors the ad. As usual, Connors knew an opportunity when he saw it and smashed his next volley for a service break.
There were signs that Lendl was begining to tire. His service toss was lower. His backhand slice was often lazy and wide. He was taking position three feet behind the base line and hitting ground strokes very late.
The signals turned grave with the set tied at 5-5 and Lendl serving.
Connors pumped his fists as he chased down a volley to lead, 15-30. Lendl did not seem able to match Connors for hustle or spirit. On his fourth try at break point, Connors finally won it when Lendl poked a lazy half-volley into the net.
Lendl's body sagged. He sat in his chair on the sideline and poured cups of ice water over his head and neck. Nothing would rouse him.
Connors is not known for his serve, but he scored two aces in the next game and caught Lendl going in the wrong direction for set point. He closed the set easily, 7-5.
Lendl was tiring and Connors could sense it.
"Jimmy's good at seeing when a guy's not at his peak," McEnroe said.
After the match, Lendl would admit only to physical exhaustion and not mental distraction, but his mind seemed to join his body in decline.
Lendl could not hold his service or his concentration in the first game of the fourth set. He double-faulted for 30-30, then mysteriously stopped playing on the next point.
"I thought somebody had called it out," Lendl explained. Then Lendl walked to the net and conferred with Connors. Microphones on court picked up the odd conversation.
"Did you call it out?" Lendl asked.
Connors smiled.
"No," he said. "I didn't call it out."
Connors patted Lendl on the head with his racket and returned to the business of finishing the match.
Connors took a fast 4-0 lead and coasted to the end. He won the final point in typical fashion, chasing down a drop shot for a stunning forehand down the line. The match lasted 2 hours 56 minutes, but he could have played until dark.
Someone asked McEnroe if he expected Connors to tire in a prolonged match, as Lendl had. Connors is 31, after all, four years away from the senior division.
"(Connors) fakes it pretty well," McEnroe said. "It may be mental. If he's tired, he just doesn't let it bother him."
