TENNIS: Johansson wins first Grand Slam.
WHEN Great Britain face Sweden in the Davis Cup next month, the Birmingham crowd will have the chance to acclaim the new Australian Open champion.Unfortunately for the Brits, it will be neither Tim Henman nor Greg Rusedski.
Thomas Johansson did what the home duo could not do, winning his first grand slam after taking advantage of the open door left by the plethora of top players to exit in the early rounds.
The 16th-seeded Swede, in the same half of the draw as Henman and Rusedski, closed the tournament as it began - with an upset.
Johansson produced a battling performance to down birthday boy Marat Safin, the 2000 US Open champion, coming back from a set down to triumph 3-6 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-4).
"These two weeks have been the best two weeks in my life, and today was just a dream come true," said Johansson, 26.
"It was unbelievable, and I don't have words to say how happy I am."
The British pair, with just one grand slam final appearance between them, would have looked on with envy as Johansson became the lowest seed to win the Melbourne event since 1976.
CAPTION(S):
KANGAROO COURT: Thomas Johansson lifts the winner's trophy
 Printer friendly
 Cite/link
 Email
 Feedback
| |
| Title Annotation: | Sport |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Coventry Evening Telegraph (England) |
| Date: | Jan 28, 2002 |
| Words: | 203 |
| Previous Article: | FOOTBALL: Huckerby the Hinckley hero; Weymouth 1 Hinckley United 1. |
| Next Article: | FOOTBALL: Keegan sets up dream clash; Ipswich Town 1 Manchester City 4. |