McEnroe takes fourth G.P. title

Press, 12 November 1985, Page 60

McEnroe takes fourth G.P. title

NZPA-Reuter Stockholm John McEnroe of the United States took just 62 minutes to crush Anders Jarryd of Sweden, 6-1, 6-2 and claim his fourth Stockholm Grand Prix tennis championship. Jarryd, ranked eighth in the world, was visibly tired after playing two late matches and never posed a threat to the defending champion, who beat Mats Wilander in last year’s final. The top seed, McEnroe also won the title in 1978 and 1979, but lost to Bjorn Borg in the 1980 final. Jarryd beat McEnroe only once in six previous tournament encounters. “He has given me some very tough games in the East but he was tired,” IcEnroe, the world No. 2, said after receiving his trophy and a cheque, for $103,200. Jarryd beat his compatriot, Joakim Nystrom, 6-3, 7-6, in the semi-final. With his partner, Stefan Edberg, he then went on to lose a gruelling three-set doubles semi-final 6-4, 3-6, 7-6, to the Americans Mike DePalmer and Gary Donnelly. After the final, Jarryd said: “McEnroe played too fast and I had no chance.” McEnroe leaves Stockholm determined to reclaim the world No. 1 position, from which he was recently toppled by the Czechoslovak, Ivan Lendl. “I feel it’s very close between me and Lendl, and if I can get into a little better shape, I’m sure I can beat him,” he said. “I feel I’m playing better , and better right now.”