European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - July 2, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse Saturday july 2,1988 the stars and stripes Page 21 sports Edberg survives loss of first 2 sets for berth in Fina by Andrew Warshaw Wimbledon England a Ste fan Edberg showing fire in his belly charged Back from two sets Down to beat Miloslav Mecir Friday and put a Swedback in a Wimbledon men s championship match for the first time in seven years. Edberg the no. 3 seed fought off the Bullet service returns and delicate volleys of the czechoslovak to win 4-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 and become the first swedish men s finalist since Bjorn Borg lost to John Mcenroe in 1981, it was the biggest comeback in a Wimbledon semifinal since Borg rallied from two sets Down to beat Jimmy con nors that same year. Edberg plays for his third grand slam title sunday against the Winner of the second semifinal Between top seeded Ivan Lendl and two time Champion Boris Becker. That semifinal was delayed briefly by rain and was suspended by darkness with Becker leading two sets to one. Edberg has acquired a reputation As a Laid Back swede who choked at big matches. There certainly was no choking by Edberg this time. Everybody has been knocking him and saying he has no fire in his makes everyone look a bit silly said Tony Pickard Edberg s coach. Mecir was overpowering in the first two sets and looked ready to reach his first Wimbledon final and second grand slam championship match. He won 31points on service returns and held break Points six times in both the third and fourth sets. But Edberg a two time australian open Champion was Able to raise his play when it mattered most. He saved All those break Points including three at 3-3,0-40 in the third set As he turned the match around. His own serving became crisper and his volleys had Mecir out of position. Wimbledon he wrapped it up with his Back Litte rally against the Wall. Edberg chased Down a lob and returned it and Mecir swatted a half hearted backhand into Tenet. Edberg watched the final Point while pressed against the Green Tarpaulin at the end of the court then broke into a Gigan tic smile. If i did t have so Many chances if iwas not so close i would not be so disappointed said Mecir who has a reputation As a swede beater and ousted Sec Ond seeded Mats Wilander in the quarterfinals. The women s final will be played sat urday with defending Champion Martina Navratilova out to Stop the grand slam Hopes of top seeded Steffi Graf. Related stories Page 25. As the weather turned from threaten ing rain to Brilliant Sunshine and Blus Tery winds it looked As if Mecir would Advance to his first grand slam final since he lost to Lendl in the title match of the . Open in 1986. This is Mecir s first grand prix tournament in almost two months because of injuries and he still wears an elastic Cor set to protect a tender Back. The Centre court crowd which included the Duchess of York former prime minister Edward Heath and the archbishop of Canterbury got a Peak of the Brace when Mecir s Shirttail pulled out and billowed in the his game showed no signs of pain or Strain As he won the first two sets against took control of the Early going by winning four games in a Row to go from4-3 Down in the first set to a 1-0 Lead in the two Breaks in that sequence were the Start of the showcase for Mecir s re turn of had lost no More than two Points in any of his first four service .f.ffis. 0 a a x in a
