TENNIS : Chang Tops Edberg in Grand Slam
Michael Chang won the last four games to upset top-ranked Stefan Edberg, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, Tuesday in the opening round of the $6-million Grand Slam Cup.
Chang, who trailed, 5-3, in the decisive set, broke Edberg’s last two service games to win the error-filled match.
“I knew I had a decent chance against him, I’ve played him before and he’s won some and I’ve won some,” Chang said.
Fourth-seeded Pete Sampras and No. 5 Goran Ivanisevic also advanced to the second round. Sampras, the U.S. Open champion, overcame a sloppy start to beat Andrei Cherkasov of the Soviet Union, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5. Ivanisevic, from Yugoslavia, ousted Kevin Curren, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (9-7).
In the other opening-day match, France’s Henri Leconte beat Thomas Muster of Austria, 6-3, 6-4.
The 16-man field was determined on the basis of results in the four Grand Slam tournaments of the year. The winner gets $2 million; first-round losers receive $100,000.
Chang’s stamina and determination prevailed over Edberg, who made too many unforced mistakes on his usually perfect volleys.
“The year is finished at last, and that’s one good thing,” said Edberg, who won only three points in the last three games. “I missed a lot of easy shots, it’s hard to get motivated after such a tough year.”
Sampras served 16 aces but struggled with his second serve and his ground strokes.
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