Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe arrived in Belfast to a heroes’ welcome on Wednesday, but left the Odyssey Arena on Thursday with their tails between their legs.
Borg was tamed by Britain’s Jeremy Bates in their first round-robin match, and then McEnroe was stunned by a sensational performance from Sweden’s Mikael Pernfors.
In their opening Group A match Bates defeated five-time Wimbledon champion Borg 3-6, 6-3, 10-6 (Champions’ Tie-Break). Pernfors was more dominant, beating McEnroe 6-2, 7-6(1).
Borg and McEnroe now know that the winner of their sold-out Friday night match will still have a chance of reaching the final on Sunday, while the loser will go home early.
“That’s as good as I can hit a tennis ball,” said McEnroe’s conqueror Pernfors, who reached the French Open final in 1986.
“He (McEnroe) didn’t have his best day but that’s partly because I played as well as I did, and I didn’t really give him an opportunity and when he did have an opportunity, I came up with a big serve. I was extremely excited about playing, and for the first time in probably five years, I don’t really hurt anywhere. With all my injuries and operations, this is the first time I really feel like I’m not hurting and that makes it so much more fun to go out and play.”
Earlier, the 51-year-old Borg seemed to be in control of his match after breaking Bates to lead 5-3 in the first set before closing it out on his serve. However, Bates hit back to force the Champions Tie-break and sealed victory with a winning volley on match point.
“I’m really pleased,” said Bates after the win. “I haven’t played any matches for a while so you’re never sure what you’re going to get first match of the tournament. It’s a lovely venue and the court suits me down to the ground. We had some good points to begin with but I came through in the end and I’m very happy.”
With the crowd enjoying a competitive battle, Bates admitted he was finding it difficult not to get caught up in the occasion of playing Borg.
“It’s a privilege to be on the court with him,” said the former British Davis Cup captain. “Having been in tennis for 30 years, anytime I can be on the court with one of the legends of the game and one of the greatest ambassadors the sport has ever seen, is very special. I was watching him as much as I was trying to concentrate on the game, so it was quite funny.”
Borg, who will now have to defeat his old rival John McEnroe on Friday night to have a chance of reaching the final, said: “You’re always disappointed when you lose. Your ambition is to win but I thought we played a good match, it came down to the last couple of points where anything can happen. Jeremy played a good match, he played well on the important points but generally I thought it was a very good match. Now I have to win my next two matches to reach the final.”
Earlier in the day, defending champion Anders Jarryd began his 2008 campaign with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 victory over Britain’s Chris Wilkinson.
“I was very pleased with the way I played,” said Jarryd. “I thought it would have been a little more difficult, I was surprised. Chris doesn’t play so many singles matches these days, but he’s probably going to play better and better every match. When you win and you play a match like this, you feel better.”
Wilkinson added: “It was a very tough first one to play. Anders loves the court, loves being here and plays at a very high level. So for me it was very difficult to get into the points and get into the match. Second set I felt I had a bit more opportunity to get going but he upped his game and all credit to him, he played brilliantly.”
For further Belfast event information and ticket details, go to:
http://www.odysseyarena.com/tennis-legends-2008.html
