1.
GV Sylvia Hanika serves from far end in second set and Mandlikova wins point after rally.
0.11

2.
GV Scoreboard.
0.14

3.
GV Mandlikova serves and wins point after rally with passing shot down line.
0.27

4.
GV Crowd.
0.30

5.
GV Hanika serves from far end at match point. Mandlikova returns ball which Hanika puts into net.
0.42

6.
GV Scoreboard shows Mandlikova has won 6-2, 6-4.
0.45

7.
GV Borg serves from far end to Lendl. Long rally ends with Borg volleying past Lendl from net.
1.25

8.
GVs Scoreboard and crowd. (2 SHOTS)
1.30

9.
GV Rally in progress at match point. Lendl returns ball out of court and Borg wins match.
1.49

10.
GVs Crowd stand and applaud as Borg presented with cup. (2 SHOTS)
2.00




Initials JS



SPORT: TENNIS

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: Bjorn Borg of Sweden displayed his brilliance once again on Sunday (7 June) when he became the first player to win the French Open tennis championship six times. In his hardest test of the championships, Borg defeated Ivan Lendl of Czechoslovakia 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 after three hours and 13 minutes on court. Czechoslovakia achieved a victory on Saturday however when Hana Mandlikova beat West Germany's Sylvia Hanika 6-2, 6-4, to win the women's singles.

SYNOPSIS: Sylvia Hanika is serving form the far end during the second set. Her opponent, Miss Mandlikova, was once regarded as a fast starter who lacked the stamina to finish. She reserved that in this match by taking six straight games in each set.

The 19-year-old Czech player was adventurous, prepared to take risks, and volleyed with great determination as she attacked the net. Miss Mandlikova's victory here raises her chances in the Wimbledon and United States championships.

Borg, who was 25 on June 6, said this was the toughest of his six French finals. He dropped the second and fourth sets and at one moment thought he might lose. But with only one set to go he avoided taking any chances. Lendl tried everything he could and cleverly drew Borg to the net to pass him with some masterly shots.

Lendl stayed in the match by sending some topspin shots in the direction of Borg's backhand, a shot he used successfully all day. This fifth and final set was decided on a few vital points and was not a uneven as the 6-1 score indicated.

Borg's success in the French championships now makes him a firm favourite to win Wimbledon title for the sixth year running.