Classic Matches: Connors v Pernfors

1987 - Men's Singles Fourth Round
J Connors (US) bt M Pernfors (Swe) 1-6, 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2

Connors - king of the comebacks

If anyone needed proof that Jimmy Connors was the greatest fighter ever to grace a tennis court, they need only look at one match.

At the age of 34, it looked as if time had finally run out as Mikael Pernfors cruised into a 6-1 6-1 4-1 lead.

With the light fading and the two-time champion nursing a leg injury Connors could have slunk of Centre Court.

But he bounced back and proved his mettle winning 18 0f the last 25 games to seal a sensational comeback.

Probably the first to employ the fist-clenching exhortations so common in today's stars, his never-say-die attitude came into full flow as he worked the crowd into a frenzy.

Pernfors, whose other great claim to fame was that he was at the other end when John McEnroe was disqualified at the Australian Open, did not know what had hit him.

The American said afterwards: "My ego was hurt. I had to do something. So I decided to fight even harder."

Connors continued his swansong until the semi-finals, where he lost to eventual champion Pat Cash in straight sets.

He played another four Wimbledons, still causing the occasional upset. His last tournament came in 1992 when he went out in the first round at the age of 39.