Hana Mandlikova had not played as well. by his own admission. for a long time.
here it is again! they said in the stands of Zurich. on the edges of the court where Hana Mandlikova displayed her talent.
1983 FEDERATION CUP BY NEC
Zurich, C.H. - July 18-24, 1983
$250,000 - Clay - Albisguetti Tennis Club
CZECHOSLOVAKIA d. PERU 3-0
CZECHOSLOVAKIA d. ITALY 2-1
(QF) CZECHOSLOVAKIA d. ARGENTINA 2-0
(SF) CZECHOSLOVAKIA d. U.S.A. 2-0
(F) CZECHOSLOVAKIA d. WEST GERMANY 2-1
Hana Mandlikova's single results :
R1 | Laura GILDEMEISTER | W | 7-6 6-4 |
R2 | Sabina SIMMONDS | W | 6-3 6-3 |
QF | Ivanna MADRUGA | W | 6-4 6-3 |
SF | Andrea JAEGER | W | 7-6 5-7 6-3 |
F | Bettina BUNGE | W | 6-2 3-0 ret. |
SF USA
The U.S., winner every year since 1976, lost both singles matches to Czechoslovakia and then scratched from the doubles because of a groin injury to Candy Reynolds. It was only the seventh time in the competition's 21-year history that the United States had failed to reach the final.
West Germany joined Czechoslovakia in today's final by defeating Switzerland, 3-0.
Helen Sukova got Czechoslovakia off to a fast start yesterday against the United States with a 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Reynolds.
A meeting that was to bring together the only two stars of this edition 83: Hana Mandlikova and Andrea Jaeger. The poster kept its promises since the game did not find its outcome until the third set, after almost three hours of match, and a demonstration of the highest quality:
Andrea was solid: Hana was sublime. Those who had seen him win Roland Garros in '81 found it that day intact. at her best, for the first time in a long time. A reunion that may not be unrelated, by the way, with his recent decision to opt for a medium size racket.
ANDREA JAEGER THE world's third-ranked woman player, began confidently against Hana Mandlikova and held a 5-3 lead in the opening set. But Mandlikova broke back for 4-5, then saved a set point with a dazzling passing shot. Jaeger, who had dropped only four games in three matches leading up to the semifinal, had a second set point in the tiebreaker, but Mandlikova foiled her again and finally won the set with a cross-court forehand.
WITH HER COUNTRY's hopes resting on her, Jaeger rushed into a 5- 1 lead in the second set, as her opponent's concentration suddenly evaporated in the blazing heat. Mandlikova, throwing caution to the wind with some inspired, spontaneous play, fought back to 5-5, only to be broken at a critical stage. Jaeger served for the set at 6-5 and won it when Mandlikova netted a simple backhand.
IN THE DECIDING set, Mandlikova raced to a 3-0 advantage and had two breakpoints for 4-0. Jaeger saved those, but could not break back and found herself serving to save the match at 2-5. She won that game, but could do nothing in Mandlikova's next service game, as her rival closed out the match with an ace.
Mandlikova said she considered the victory to be one of the most important of her career. "I went down a bit mentally after the first set," she said, "but even if I had lost, I think we would have won the doubles."
Reynolds disagreed. "If the singles matches had been shared, I would definitely have played despite the injury, and I think Hana was aware that we would probably have won it."
"We are obviously disappointed but I have never seen Hana play so well," said U.S. non-playing team captain Nancy Jeffett. Jaeger failed to attend the post-match news conference, but another member of the U.S. team, Paula Smith, told reporters: "It was very difficult for Andrea to get into a groove. It's hard to beat Hana when she plays like that."
Finals vs WEST GERMANY
Czechoslovakia won the 1983 Federation Cup women's team tennis competition in dramatic fashion Sunday beating West Germany 2-1 in a final marred by an injury to Bettina Bunge rated eighth in the world.
After Czech Helena Sukova beat Claudia Kohde 6-4 2-6 6-2, Bunge was fenced to pull out of her singles match against Hana Mandlikova midway through the second set because of a hamstring injury in her left leg.
Mandlikova was leading 6-2 3-0 at the time Bunge’s withdrawal gave the third-seeded Czech team an unbeatable 2-0 lead.
In the doubles Kohde teamed up with Eva Pfaff to gain a consolation 3-6 6-2 6-1 victory over Iva Budarova and Marcela Skuherska after the Czechs had saved five match points in the final game
It was the second Federation Cup win for Czechoslovakia which was ted to victory in 1975 by Martina Navratilova before her defection to the United States.
Bunge said that she began to feel the injury at the beginning of the second set “I felt this needle-like pain in my leg” she said “To beat Hana today I had to be very quick so there was no point ta going on” she said.
Bunge said she first contracted the injury six weeks ago “Until now it had always responded to treatment and I had got away with it But it got a bit worse ta each match I've played here and today I was playing a different class of opponent who kept me moving the whole time” she said.
Klaus Hofsass the German coach and non-playing captain said Bunge had wanted to quit after the first game of the second set He said he persuaded her to play for another two games to see ' whether the injury eased
Mandlikova had played strong- ly np to her opponent’s withdrawal serving with power and accuracy and timing her ground strokes to perfection.
Bunge stayed with the 21-year- -old Czech for only four games before Mandlikova stepped up the pressure.
Mandlikova who reserved her-best tennis for the last two rounds here — she beat world No 3 Andrea Jaeger of the United States on Saturday — said she had been unaware her opponent was injured.
And if one had found oneself doubting the prestige of the Federation Cup in the hearts of the players, the tears of dice hope of one and the explosions of joy of the other quickly returned. at that moment. things in their place... •
Article compiled from : A.P., Sunday Telegraph, Daily Telegraph, The Age, Daily Record, Tennis Magazine (Fr.)
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