Annacone mauls rusty McEnroe

Press, 28 August 1986, Page 24

Annacone mauls rusty McEnroe

NZPA-Reuter New York The four-time champion, Jdhn McEnroe, looking more like a qualifier on the court than the former world No 1, was blasted out of the US Open tennis championships yesterday in the first round, by his fellow American, Paul Annacone.

The twentieth ranked Annacone, in one of the most shocking first-day upsets in Open history, overwhelmed McEnroe, 16, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3, on a sunny, breezy day at the National Tennis Centre. Earlier on the stadium court, the fourth-seeded Hana Mandlikova, of Czechoslovakia, charged past Marie-Christine Calleja of France, 6-2, 6-2, to begin defence of her

women’s championship in this 13-day, 3.45-million dollar tournament.

McEnroe, who relinquished his crown as the world No 1 after losing the final here last year to Ivan Lendl, was playing in just his fourth tournament since ending a six-months leave from the competitive grind. The rust showed as Annacone totally dominated the two-hour 26-minute match after finding the touch on his powerful serve.

Annacone, aged 23, aced the ninth-seeded McEnroe 23 times in the match and lost just seven games after the opening set.

McEnroe was lacking in every aspect of his once daunting game.

The fiery American, whose court coverage has always been a primary asset, was often caught flat-footed against Annacone’s powerful groundstrokes. The deft touch he has long been admired for was gone and his nasty, twist service lacked punch.

McEnroe served only three aces while doublefaulting nine times. The lefthander was charged with 30 unforced errors against just 12 for the often erratic Annacone.

In other matches, the eighth seed, Henri Leconte, of France beat Martin Jaite of Argentina, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, while his countrywoman, Pascale Paradis, beat the Argentinian, Adriana Villagran, 6-7, (5-7), 6-3, 6-1.