The players involvedBoris Becker and Sergio Casal
- Boris Becker
Boris Becker was born in 1967 in Lehmen, Germany. In 1985, he became the youngest participant in the history of Wimbledon champion at age 17, defeating Kevin Curren in four sets (6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-4) in the final. His powerful serve, which he often followed at the net, earned him the nickname “Boom Boom.” The German was also known for his impressive diving volleys and dramatic play and emotional outbursts. After his record-breaking victory at the All England Club, Becker established his status as one of the best in the game by beating Mats Wilander 6-4 6-2 to win in Cincinnati. title:
Finishing the year ranked world number 6, the German qualified for the Masters, where he reached the final, only to be outclassed by Lendl (6-2, 7-6, 6-3). With his great power, Becker successfully defended his Wimbledon crown in 1986, defeating top seed Lendl in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 7-5) in the final and was now the world No. 2 player. After winning another title over Stefan Edberg in Toronto (6-4, 3-6, 6-3), he reached the US Open alongside Lendl as heavy favourites, but was upset by Miloslav Mecir in the semi-finals (4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3).
- Sergio Casal. The Spaniard has made a name for himself in doubles
Sergio Casal was born in 1962 in Barcelona, Spain. After turning professional in 1981, he reached his first final on tour in 1983, losing to Mats Wilander in Aix-en-Provence (6-3, 6-2) and finished the year as world No. 70. A year later, after a terrible 1984 season, he was only out of the top 200 and May 200. Firenze as a qualifier, defeating Jimmy Arias (3-6, 6-3, 6-2) in the final. He was more successful in doubles, where he had already won 8 titles with his partner from Spain, Emilio Sanchez.
The placeBercy, Paris
Paris-Berce Open Championship first held in 1986 at the 15,000-seat Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, which opened in 1984. It replaced the former Paris Indoor Open, which was held from 1969 to 1982 at a different venue, the Stade Pierre de Coubertin.
The factsBecker wins in straight sets
The resumption of Paris Indoor attracted five of the world’s top 10: Becker (world No. 2), Yannick Neu (No. 5), Miloslav Metcir (No. 6), Henri Leconte (No. 7) and John McEnroe (No. 10).
Becker had won two titles in the weeks leading up to Paris, in Sydney (defeating top seed Lendl 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-0 in the final) and Tokyo (defeating Stefan Edberg 7-6, 6-1). Despite this crazy schedule, the German didn’t seem to be affected by jet lag or fatigue, reaching the final with just one set loss against Leconte in the semifinals (6-2, 3-6, 6-3).
On the final day, his opponent, Sergio Casal, was the surprise package of the tournament. The Spaniard went through the qualifying draw and then defeated McEnroe (6-3, 7-6) in the quarterfinals. During this match, the former world No. 1 had one of his most famous rants when he shouted at the referee (among other things) “You’re the worst referee I’ve ever seen in my life”, which cost him a 21-day ban from the tour.
On Sunday, Nov. 2, Becker maintained her ranking and fired 22 aces to end Casal’s run in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6. Although Casal didn’t have a bad match, the German proved to be a little too strong. Interviewed by 15-lovetennis.com years later“So fast on the mat, with low jumps, Becker was unbeatable. Unlike my matches against McEnroe or Mayotte, I never felt like I had a chance to win, I could just hang on. It was impossible to break his serve.”
Becker said he didn’t believe he could win the tournament earlier because of his hectic schedule leading up to the event. “To fly that many hours under those conditions, different continents, different cities and different surfaces, let’s say, I didn’t think I could do it.”
The newly created Paris-Bercy Open had a prestigious winner to start its history.
What next? Becker adds two more Paris titles
Boris Becker would win the Bercy twice more, in 1989 (defeating Edberg in the final, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3) and 1992 (defeating Guy Forge in the final, 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3).
Meanwhile, Sergio Casal would win two Grand Slam doubles titles with his friend and compatriot. Emilio Sanchez (1988 US Open and 1990 French Open), and after retirement they will create one of the most famous tennis academies in the world in Barcelona. Sanchez-Cazal Academy.