Goran Ivanisevic, the handsome Croatian who has been turning heads since he arrived in the Mother City on Monday, has a chance to record a career ”first” when he plays German Michael Stich in the opening match of the Cape Town Grand Champions 2005 tournament at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Friday.
In previous head-to-head encounters, Ivanisevic has never beaten Stich in a match played on an indoor carpet surface. They have met thrice on carpet and Stich has enjoyed a clean sweep, losing only one set in the process.
While playing on the international circuit, their last clash was on carpet in Antwerp in 1996 when Stich won in straight sets to set up a 3-0 head-to-head lead over the Croat. During their pro careers, Ivanisevic has only beaten the German twice in seven meetings.
On Friday, Ivanisevic (33) will have youth on his side against the 36-year-old Stich. While the players chatted at a welcoming function earlier this week, Frenchman Henri Leconte — who will be playing in the doubles competition — warned that Ivanisevic serves ”rockets.”
Cape Town will no doubt be hoping to get a hint of the booming Ivanisevic serves that was once legendary in world tennis.
Prior to retirement at the age of 28, Stich — a one-time world number two — had one of the best backhands in the business. He could call on a array of solid groundstrokes to anchor his game plan.
The other singles match will see the Swede Mats Wilander up against Australian Pat Cash.
In the doubles encounter, the two jokers on the seniors tour, Leconte and Mansour Bahrami of Iran, will join forces to play the all-South African combination of Pietie Norval and Danie Visser, who was called in after the withdrawal of Boris Becker. — Sapa
Friday’s programme
5pm, singles, Goran Ivanisevic v Michael Stich; 7pm, doubles, Mansour Bahrami/Henri Leconte v Pietie Norval/Danie Visser; 8.30pm, singles, Mats Wilander v Pat Cash.