Hlasek’s Victory Not the Record, but It Comes on Anniversary of It

Jakob Hlasek jumped into contention for comeback-of-the-week honors with the longest match of Wimbledon--a 4 hour 19 minute, five-set marathon.

Hlasek, of Switzerland, came back from two sets down to upset sixth-seeded Petr Korda of Czechoslovakia, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7), 16-14.

Actually, Hlasek’s victory marked the 23rd anniversary of the longest singles match in games in the history of Wimbledon and the Open era--112 games--when Pancho Gonzalez defeated Charlie Pasarell, 22-24, 1-6, 16-14, 6-3, 11-9.

That match took 5 hours 12 minutes.

After playing only 71 games, Hlasek said he was ready for more.

“I’m tired, yes, but I’m not exhausted,” he said.

Besides, Hlasek had good strategy going for him.

“I was a little bit lucky,” he said.