Wheaton Doubles His Money, Fun : Tennis: He beats Chang, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4, to win Grand Slam Cup for second victory in six years.

In one day, David Wheaton surpassed his first six years as a professional.

Wheaton, who had $960,000 in career earnings, doubled his victory total Sunday by routing injured Michael Chang, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4, to win the Grand Slam Cup championship and earn $2 million.

“I hope the money won’t change me,” Wheaton said. “I’ve been brought up with a certain set of values and ethics. I don’t think I’m going to change. I’m not a materialistic person.

“It was a great day, but 10-15 minutes you hold the trophy, everybody leaves and goes on with life.”

Wheaton, ranked 17th in the world, won one tournament previously, the 1990 U.S. Clay Courts at Charleston, S.C.

Chang, who won $1 million, is ranked 15th but has won only one tournament in the last year.

“David played very well,” Chang said. “He served very well and that was my major problem. It was tough enough trying to hold my own serve without thinking of breaking his.”

The Grand Slam Cup, which doesn’t count in the ATP Tour rankings, gathered the top finishers from the four Grand Slam tournaments.

Illnesses, injuries and fatigue forced Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker to withdraw. Jim Courier, the French Open champion, lost his first match.

“I really feel I know how the top three feel,” Wheaton said. “You just can’t play every week. It’s not only physically, but also it mentally drains you.”

Chang was bothered by a groin injury for the past three matches but didn’t use it as an excuse.

His biggest problem was converting only two of 17 break chances.

“It takes its toll,” Chang said. “It was unfortunate I had the injury, but I didn’t think it played a major role today.”

Wheaton, a 22-year-old from Deephaven, Minn., served for the first set at 5-4. But Chang countered with four good returns to break him at love.

Wheaton went ahead, 6-5, on Chang’s service and won the set at love with his eighth ace.

“It’s so nice to be able to come up with an ace on a big point,” Wheaton said. “If I had one thing going for me it was my serve.”

Wheaton broke early in the second set for a 2-0 lead and broke early in the third for a 4-1 lead before Chang broke back.

Chang, known for his comebacks, rallied from two sets down to beat Ivan Lendl in the semifinals, but Wheaton was ready for him.

“I’ve been through the Michael Chang comeback syndrome,” he said. “At a tournament in Hong Kong I was up, 5-0, and lost, 7-6, 6-1.”

Wheaton moved ahead, 5-3, and had two match points against Chang’s serve at 15-40.

Chang saved both and held for 5-4 before Wheaton served out, winning with his 17th ace.