1985 Ford Australian Open

Mandlikova’s 1985 Ford Australian Open: Strong Wins and a Tough Battle Against Navratilova

Hana Mandlikova defeated some tricky opponents like Wendy Turnbull or Zina Garrison on her way into the 1985 Ford Australian Open. However, she ultimately fell to Martina Navratilova in a three-set semifinal after a strong first set.

2d round : Hana Mandlikova vs Virginia Wade in 1985 Ford Australian Open

Wade’s Brave Comeback Falls Short Against Mandlikova

At 39 years old, Virginia Wade, 1977 Wimbledon champion, took on the younger and more dynamic Hana Mandlikova in the second round of the 1985 Australian Open. Mandlikova, in control for much of the match, claimed a 6-2, 7-6 victory, but not without a fight from Wade. The veteran showed grit in the second set, taking advantage of some of Mandlikova‘s erratic play, though ultimately, the Czech’s power and aggression proved too much in the end.

Hana Mandlikova 1985 Ford Australian Open
Hana Mandlikova 1985 Ford Australian Open

3r round : Hana Mandlikova vs Wendy Turnbull

Mandlikova Overcomes Turnbull with Confidence and Precision

Hana Mandlikova, playing with new-found confidence after her US Open victory, controlled the match with Wendy Turnbull, winning 6-3 6-4.

After the controversial circumstances surrounding Turnbull’s appointment as Federation Captain, she led 4-2 in the second set against Mandlikova, but the Czech responded with a series of well-controlled winners, lobs, forehands, the lot. She now plays Zina Garrison, the 6th seed.

After her victory, Mandlikova was asked if she was a different player after her triumph in Flushing Meadow.

“No, I’ve always been a great player, but now I have more confidence,” she said.

Quarterfinals : Hana Mandlikova vs Zina Garrison in 1985 Ford Australian Open

Hana sails into rematch

Hana Mandlikova swept imperiously past Zina Garrison in the quarter-finals of the 1987 Ford Australian Open, setting up a re-match with Martina Navratilova, her victim in this year’s US Open final.

The confidence brought since her US Open victory is evident as she fights her way back against Zina Garrison, after losing the first set. Garrison kept creeping up to the net like a panther on the kill and it was not until the second set that Mandlikova get away from her.

She did so by asserting her superior talent. The winners flowed off her racquet all over the court and the talent was backed by a mean streak; the winner wasn’t just put away, often it was crashed away to let Garrison know who was on top.

Serving for the second set, Mandlikova made an error and kicked the ball angrily into the grass band alongside Court One, straight to the feet of her coach Betty Stove. She waved an apology and held serve for the set, but there was more temper in the third set when she lost her serve for Garrison to pull back to 2-4.

Clenching her fists -the sign of the new determination- she held for 5-3 and then made the final, emphatic break with another imperious crosscourt backhand and a delicate backhand volley. Victory was accompanied by a little, triumphant skip.

“ Zina played very well in the set, then I fought back. I’m quite pleased with myself. Now when I lose the first set I have the confidence to know I can come back. I’ve learned that everything is possible in tennis.”

Garrison 1985 Ford Australian Open
Hana Mandlikova 1985 Ford Australian Open

Semifinals : Hana Mandlikova vs Martina Navratilova

Navratilova Powers Past Mandlikova in Three-Set Clash

The expectations that accompany any Mandlikova – Navratilova match were met in the first set but died thereafter, except for a brief spell in the third set when Mandlikova broke back for 3-3. When she lost serve straight away, the match was over, Navratilova winning 6-7 6-1 6-4.

Navratilova 1985 Ford Australian Open

Mandlikova was at her best late in the first set, and she took it with two flashes of inspiration. On the first point Navratilova played a drop volley just over the net, and

Mandlikova played a running backhand down the line. On the second she was pinned back in the corner but managed to hit a backhand down the line.

Navratilova seemed quite rattled, and, in the opening game of the next set, hitting her groundstrokes all over the place, she was 0-30 and then 30-40 but Mandlikova could not apply the knockout blow. Navratilova survived the game and won the next four.

“I get uptight, I have to get a more consistent second serve so she doesn’t put so much pressure on me”, said Mandlikova.

“ Whoever wins this match will be No. 1. Martina is playing very well, and I think she will win.”

Hana was right, and the following Saturday, Martina won in 3 sets against Chris Evert, ending the year at WTA No. 1

SCOREBOARD

FORD AUSTRALIAN OPEN

  • Melbourne, Aus.  – Nov. 25-Dec. 8, 1985
  • $ 645,000 – Kooyong Tennis Centre – Grass


singles : seeded 3

  • R1 : + Camille Benjamin 6-2 6-2
  • R2 : + Virginia Wade 6-2 7-6(4)
  • R3 : + (9)Wendy Turnbull 6-3 6-4
  • QF : + (6)Zina Garrison 2-6 6-3 6-3
  • SF : – (2)Martina Navratilova 7-6(5) 1-6 4-6


doubles
 w
/ Wendy Turnbull (3)

  • R1 : + Lori McNeil/ Catherine Suire 6-2 7-6(3)
  • R2 : – Chris Evert/ Catarina Lindqvist 3-6 6-7(6)