December 5 , 2007
John McEnroe and Pat Cash will meet in a winner-takes-all clash at the BlackRock Masters Tennis on Thursday after McEnroe lost a pulsating opening round-robin confrontation with Cedric Pioline on Wednesday.
McEnroe fought tooth-and-nail to beat Pioline, saving countless break points before going down 7-6, 6-7, 10-4 (Champions’ Tie-Break).
With Cash losing to Pioline on day one of the tournament, it means only the winner of the Cash vs. McEnroe match will advance to the quarterfinals.
“I really wanted to win badly because I knew that we were out there a long time and it’s a bummer not to win after all that effort. I played as hard as I could. I was playing well, I felt like there were a lot of great points and it wasn’t as if I lost it - he won it. The guy’s got a lot of talent and it’s annoying!” said McEnroe.
“Pat and I are both sort of desperate now, admittedly. We know the scenario, that one of us goes to the quarters and the other goes home. We’ve played a lot of close matches over the years, both on the main tour and on the BlackRock Tour of Champions so I expect this one to be close too. Hopefully I can try to sneak one out or else it’s going to be a short trip. I’m hoping I’m going to hang in there because I love the Albert Hall. Pat was licking his wounds today but he’s had a day off so we’ll see. It’s tough to predict but that’s why sport is so great.”
Elsewhere, Sergi Bruguera started his campaign in dominant form, defeating Anders Jarryd 6-2, 6-4.
The Spaniard is feeling confident about his chances.
“I am enjoying myself, I’m playing with confidence and confidence means a lot,” said Bruguera.
“When I’m playing with confidence I’m trying a lot of things and it’s going well and I’m having fun, so it’s good. Of course I want to win here because I’ve never won it and it would be the end of a fantastic season for me. Playing here in the Royal Albert Hall is very nice, with an unbelievable ambience because it’s always full. It’s fun to play here.”
Michael Stich kept his hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals alive with a last-gasp victory over Greg Rusedski. The 1991 Wimbledon champion fought back from an 8-6 Champions’ Tie-Break deficit to prevail 6-2, 6-7, 11-9.
RESULTS – WEDNESDAY, 5th DECEMBER, 2007
Sergi Bruguera d Anders Jarryd 6-2, 6-4
Cedric Pioline d. John McEnroe 7-6, 6-7, 10-4 (champion’s tie-break)
Michael Stich d. Greg Rusedski 6-2, 6-7, 11-9 (champion’s tie break)
Jeremy Bates d. Wayne Ferreira 6-4, 6-2
LATEST GROUP STANDINGS
GROUP A
Guy Forget 1-0 (2-0)
Sergi Bruguera 1-0 (2-0)
Anders Jarryd 0-2 (0-4)
GROUP B
Jeremy Bates 2-0 (4-0)
Wayne Ferreira 0-1 (0-2)
Henri Leconte 0-1 (0-2)
GROUP C
Cedric Pioline 2-0 (4-1)
John McEnroe 0-1 (1-2)
Pat Cash 0-1 (0-2)
GROUP D
Paul Haarhuis 1-0 (2-0)
Michael Stich 1-1 (2-3)
Greg Rusedski 0-1 (1-2)
SCHEDULE
Thursday afternoon session
1. Paul Haarhuis v Greg Rusedski
2. Bahrami/Wilkinson v Pernfors/Nystrom
3. Wayne Ferreira v Henri Leconte
Thursday evening session
1. Pat Cash v John McEnroe
2. Bahrami/Pernfors v Gullikson/McNamara
3. Sergi Bruguera v Guy Forget
* please note, the order of play is subject to change
