Mecir in surprise loss to Japanese

Press, 30 December 1988, Page 20

Mecir in surprise loss to Japanese

NZPA-AAP Perth Czechoslavakia's highly rated combination of Miloslav Mecir and Helena Sukova were forced to come from behind to beat their unheralded Japanese rivals in the Hopman Cup international teams event in Perth yesterday. The Czech pair advanced to the semi-finals of the eight nation tournament by beating Shuzo Matsuoka and Masako Yanagi, 2-1, at the Burswood Superdome. Sukova wrapped up the first round win when she downed the lowly-ranked Yanagi, 6-3, 6-0, in the final match of the three rubber tie. The tall Czech woman and Mecir had earlier beaten the Japanese pair, 7-5, 6-3, in the

11 mixed doubles. y But the surprise of the z encounter came in the openi ing match when Matsuoka, a i relative newcomer to the international scene, beat the 5 experienced Mecir, 6-2, 6-4, 1 in the opening clash. The win had given the Japanese duo a surprise 1-0 * lead. , Matsuoka, whose ranking ’ has improved dramatically I this year —he is now in the mid-80s — has now beaten , Mecir twice. s “Mecir was not playing as I well as he can and I was able to capitalise,” said Matsuoka, who is coached by the Australian, Bob Brett, the mentor of the West German star, Boris Becker.

Matsuoka, who made the semi-finals of the recent Brisbane Indoor and the quarter finals at the Swan Australian Indoor in October, also has trained at the Florida camp of the legendary Davis Cup coach, Harry Hopman, after whom this event is named. A resourceful righthander, Matsuoka, aged 21, intends meeting up with Brett when he arrives in Australia with Becker for next month’s Australian Open. Mecir, who arrived in Perth on Wednesday, was unable to find his timing on the slow Rebound Ace court.

“I made too many mistakes. I didn’t have my timing right, especially on my backhand,” the Czech said.