On this day: June 21, 1994 - McNeil serves up upset of the century

Sport360 staff 11:56 21/06/2015
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  • McNeil tears up the history books.

    On this day (June 21), 21 years ago, in front of a 13,000-strong crowd at the All England Club, the unseeded American Lori McNeil pulled off a remarkable upset over Germany’s Steffi Graf, who became the first women’s singles defending champion in Wimbledon’s 108-year history (at the time) to lose in the first round the following year.

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    In a match that took five hours from start to finish, thanks to two rain delays, McNeil finished off Graf 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) with a forehand volley that eluded the German.

    It was Graf’s only defeat at Wimbledon between 1991 and 1997 and McNeil went on to reach the semi-finals that year, before losing to eventual champion Conchita Martinez.

    More memorable events on this day
    1939: The New York Yankees announce Lou Gehrig’s retirement after doctors reveal he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

    1981: Gilles Villeneuve wins the Spanish Grand Prix in one of the closest finishes in F1 history.

    2003: Lennox Lewis beats Vitali Klitschko after the fight was stopped in the sixth round due to doctor’s orders, in what was Lewis’ final bout of his career.

    2012: Miami Heat complete a 4-1 Finals victory over Oklahoma City Thunder to clinch the NBA title.

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