On this day: September 8, 1985 – Ivan Lendl beats John McEnroe in US Open final

Sport360 staff 07:30 08/09/2015
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  • Lendl celebrates his win.

    Ivan Lendl had a tough time cracking the US Open code, finishing as runner-up on three straight occasions.

    As he took on arch rival John McEnroe in the US Open final on this day back in 1985, his grand slam final record stood at 1-6.

    The clash got off to a disastrous start for the Czech as McEnroe jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first set, winning 12 of the first 13 points. But Lendl took the set to a tiebreaker, which he won with ease.

    The next two sets were a breeze, despite heavy thunderstorm threatening play, as Lendl lifted the title with a 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 verdict, becoming the first non-US citizen to capture the US Open men’s title in eight years.

    1988: Javier Sotomayor of Cuba high jumps the then-world record of 2.43m.

    1990: Gabriela Sabatini defeats Steffi Graf in straight sets to win the US Open singles title.

    2001: Mohammad Ashraful of Bangladesh scores 114 against Sri Lanka in the SSC Test in Colombo, becoming the youngest player ever to make a Test century.

    2013: Sebastian Vettel comfortably wins the Italian Grand Prix, his sixth of the season.

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