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Essen McEnroe: "Bring it on, Goran" |
“BRING IT ON, GORAN,” SAYS MCENROE
John McEnroe set up a dream final against Goran Ivanisevic at the Deichmann Champions Trophy in Essen after a stunning 5-7, 6-3, 10-8 (on a Champions’ Tie-Break) win over Pat Cash on Saturday.
On a day when all four matches went to a deciding third set Champions’ Tie-Break, Ivanisevic overcame Jim Courier 4-6, 6-4, 12-10.
McEnroe looked to be struggling when he dropped the first set and appeared to pull up injured in the second. But, showing real guts, he fought back to win, and now can’t wait to get his hands on Ivanisevic in the final.
“Bring it on, let’s see what he’s got,” said McEnroe.
“If I didn’t think I could beat him I wouldn’t step on the court. Goran hits the ball so big that you really have to react fast, but that’s what I want – to play these guys at their best.”
The battle for third and fourth positions will take place between Swedish pair Anders Jarryd and Mikael Pernfors. Jarryd overcame Petr Korda, while Pernfors lost to Thomas Muster, and just about went through.
There will be more than just pride at stake between Jarryd and Pernfors.
Both are currently outside the qualification positions for the season-ending Masters at the Royal Albert Hall, so there is a real incentive for one of them to get the additional 75 points for finishing third here in Essen.
Players compete for points throughout the year to qualify for The Champions Masters which takes place between November 29 and December 4. The top ten players in the Stanford Financial Champions Tour Rankings after all events are complete will qualify automatically. The field in London will increase to 12 with the addition of two wild cards. There is a $100,000 prize on offer for the winner in London.
To be eligible to compete on the ATP Champions Tour, players must have been either a World No.1 during their competitive playing careers, a Grand Slam singles finalist, or a singles player on a victorious Davis Cup team, and no longer active on the ATP tour. Each event can also invite two players of its choice to take wild cards.
RESULTS:
SATURDAY 29TH OCTOBER
Anders Jarryd d. Petr Korda 3-6, 6-2, 10-5 (on a Champions’ Tie-Break)
Goran Ivansevic d. Jim Courier 4-6, 6-4, 12-10 (on a Champions’ Tie-Break)
John McEnroe d. Pat Cash 5-7, 6-3, 10-8 (on a Champions Tie-Break)
Thomas Muster d. Mikael Pernfors 2-6, 6-3, 10-7 (on a Champions’ Tie-Break)
CURRENT STANDINGS
Group A
Matches won/lost (sets)
John McEnroe 3-0 (6-1)
Mikael Pernfors 1-2 (3-4)
Pat Cash 1-2 (3-4)
Thomas Muster 1-2 (2-5)
Group B
Matches won/lost (sets)
Goran Ivanisevic 3-0 (6-1)
Anders Jarryd 2-1 (4-3)
Jim Courier 1-2 (3-4)
Petr Korda 0-3 (1-6)
SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY 30TH OCTOBER
At 2pm
3rd/4th place play-off
Mikael Pernfors vs. Anders Jarryd
Followed by
The Final
John McEnroe vs. Goran Ivanisevic |
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