Canada Flashback: Ivan Lendl downs John McEnroe in their last pro duel

John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl were the leaders of the new generation of players born in the late 50s and early 60s, battling against each other for the first time in the Milan 1980 semi-final. The American claimed that one in three sets and the quarter-final clash at the US Open later that season. However, it was all about the Czech in the following seven encounters between Roland Garros 1981 and the Masters Cup in January 1983. Starting from Philadelphia 1983, John had the upper hand over a great rival until the Masters Cup in January 1985, rattling off ten out of 12 victories (Ivan prevailed in the famous Roland Garros final in 1984 to soften the deficit). After that, Lendl took charge and overpowered John in 12 of the last 15 encounters to earn 21 wins in 36 matches against the American. The Stratton Mountain final from 1987 remained unfinished, and they played 37 official clashes on the Tour (many more in unofficial events and exhibitions) to forge the greatest rivalry in the ATP world until the emerging of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

On July 24, 1992, Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe played their last official match, with the Czech scoring a 6-2, 6-4 win in an hour and 21 minutes in the quarter-final of the Canada Masters 1000 event. Both were well past their prime, but Lendl was still the force to be reckoned with that summer. An eight-time Major winner reached the final of both Canada and Cincinnati, the semi-final in New Haven, the title match of Long Island and the US Open quarters that he lost to Stefan Edberg in the deciding tie break. Ivan proved to be too hard to handle for McEnroe on that day, dropping 11 points on serve and suffering one break from the only chance offered to the American. On the other hand, McEnroe lost almost half of the points behind the initial shot, suffering four breaks from eight opportunities and allowing Lendl to control the scoreboard all the time. The Czech broke in the match's first game and held at love in game four for a 3-1 advantage.

Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe met for the last time in Canada 1992.

John lost his serve again in game five after a deep return from Lendl, who moved 5-1 ahead following a backhand down the line winner and sealed the opening set with four winners in game eight in under 30 minutes! A return winner from Ivan gave him a break at love at the beginning of the second set, and he confirmed the lead in the next one and moved closer to the finish line. McEnroe was yet to find the rhythm on serve, and Lendl grabbed another break in game three following a backhand down the line winner. He gave serve away in game four after a double fault to keep the rival within one break deficit.

The Czech hit an ace for a 4-2 advantage and caused tantrums from McEnroe like in good old times. The next game proved to be the longest of the encounter, and John brought it home with two winners to stay in touch, hoping for another break that would get him back to the positive side. The American failed to do that in game eight after Lendl's forehand winner, and the Czech jumped into a 5-3 lead and forced John to serve for staying in the match. A smash and a service winner delivered the hold for the American. However, that was all he could do, as Ivan wrapped up the triumph with a forehand winner in game ten to sail through and reach the semis, never facing John McEnroe again by the end of a career. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3lo5ztq