Becker Bests Courier in Five Sets

Boris Becker rallied from a two-set deficit and outlasted Jim Courier in five sets Sunday in a battle of the world’s top-ranked player and a former No. 1 in the Donnay Indoor Championship of tennis.

Becker defeated Courier, 6-7 (7-5), 2-6, 7-6 (12-10), 7-6 (7-5), 7-5, in 4 hours 54 minutes.

Despite the defeat, Courier retained the top spot, which he earned last week.

Both players overcame match points.

Courier was on the brink of victory in the third-set tiebreaker, but was slowly worn down by Becker.

Becker, who has won all four matches he has played against Courier, played the riskier tennis of the two, serving twice as many aces as Courier but also making twice as many unforced errors.

Becker’s stamina and aggressiveness helped him win the final set. Becker rallied from a 4-2 deficit to 4-4 and held two match points in the 10th game.

Courier held firm until the 12th game, finally serving a double fault, giving Becker the match.