Davis Cup Final : Becker Gets Even With Sweden, 1-1

Boris Becker evened the score Friday.

The 18-year-old Wimbledon champion defeated Stefan Edberg, the 19-year-old Australian Open champion, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 8-6, to salvage a 1-1 tie for West Germany in the Davis Cup final with Sweden.

It took 2 hours 51 minutes for Becker to win his match at Olympic Hall after Sweden’s Mats Wilander defeated Michael Westphal earlier in the day, 6-3, 6-4, 10-8.

Edberg had displaced Becker in the No. 5 spot in the world rankings by defeating Wilander in the Australian final, and he entered Friday’s match as a slight favorite over Becker.

Before a crowd of 13,000, Becker began unleashing a total of 15 aces from the opening game, and Edberg appeared shaken.

“I had to play those returns,” Becker said. “Otherwise, Stefan would have played good volley. After John McEnroe, he is the best serve-and-volley player.”

Asked if he thought Edberg would be his toughest future opponent, Becker said: “Yes, for the next 20 years.”

Becker sailed through the first set in 31 minutes, capitalizing on a service break in the fourth game. In the second set, he conceded only three points against his serve until the eighth game.

Then, inexplicably, he lost his touch. After a double-fault--one of eight--and two stray backhands, the game and the set were gone.

After taking the third set, 7-5, Becker reeled off 13 straight points for a 4-1 lead in the fourth set. He had the match in hand when serving at 5-3, but two more double-faults cost him the game.

In the 14th game, Becker produced two devastating backhand service returns to earn three match points. Edberg saved two, but on the third, the West German unleashed another blistering backhand to bring the crowd to its feet.

“The difference was he played well on the big points,” Edberg said. “He had luck on his side. I was struggling.”

In the opening match, Wilander led by two sets and a break in the third before he had his only concentration lapse, allowing a poorly hit shot to upset him in the eighth game. Westphal took advantage and broke back.

The games went with service until Westphal played wildly when serving at 8-8. He hit three wayward forehands in dropping his serve. Wilander, the world’s No. 3 player, wrapped up the match with a love game, going to match point with his ninth ace.

“In one game, I made one mistake and that changed the match,” Wilander said. “But I thought I played quite steady the whole match. Everybody expected me to win, and I am happy I did it.”

In today’s doubles, Wilander and Joakim Nystrom will face Becker and Andreas Maurer. Anders Jarryd is recovering from the flu and was omitted from doubles play. Therefore, his partner, Edberg, was left out.

This is the second time for West Germany in the Davis Cup final. In 1970, the West Germans lost five straight matches to the United States.