From the S&S archives: McEnroe at top of game; breezes into Tokyo finals

TOKYO — Ten pounds heavier, rested and healthy, John McEnroe is beginning the big push to Wimbledon playing what he says is close to the best tennis of his life.

The world's No. 1-ranked player, who already has won five tournaments this year, says he lacks only "match toughness" to get back to the top form he was in three weeks ago before taking a break.

Saturday, admittedly not at his best, McEnroe overpowered Jimmy Connors, the No. 3-ranked player, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, to advance to the finals of the $250,000 Suntory Cup in front of 12,841 at Japan's national stadium.

McEnroe will meet Ivan Lendl in Sunday's final while Connors and Yannick Noah battle for third and fourth place in the four-man two-day event.

Lendl of Czechoslovakia swept past Noah of France 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 to gain the berth in the finals against McEnroe.

Although showing flashes of brilliance — seven service aces, deep baseline spin shots and stinging volleys — McEnroe also dumped a bunch into the net and blasted a few way out of the court.

He also let a little of the "Superbrat" show through, arguing one call for nearly five minutes and after the match telling reporters he thought the "linesmen had a bad day." But lie said the frustration from the calls wasn't why he blew so many points.

"I hit a lot of great shots," McEnroe said. "But I also let my concentration lapse a few times. After the three weeks off, I'm not match tough and that's one of the things I need to work on."

CONNORS PLAYED WELL, but his steady baseline game, marked with several brilliant shots past an onrushing McEnroe, couldn't match the aggressive serve-volley approach the 25-year-old New Yorker has used so successfully.

Service breaks in the first and fifth games gave Connors the first set, but he was broken in the sixth game of the second and ninth game of the third set to drop the match. He left the stadium without talking to reporters.

"I think it was a really good match," McEnroe said. "I didn't play my best and I'm sure he didn't play his best, but it was exciting.

"My serves are usually my strong point, but Jimmy's the best at service return. I usually make a hell of a lot more points off my serve with other players. Playing against him makes the match more interesting."

But Saturday's match was a far cry from last month's Belgian Indoor Championships in Brussels, Belgium, said McEnroe, who called the tournament the best he's ever played.

"I was serving harder, and with greater percentage. I was hitting the ball very solidly, very consistently, moving very well and concentrating very well. You add all those up and that's as good as I play," he said.

He went on to beat Lendl 6-1, 6-3 in the final, marking the third straight final victory over the Czech this year.

"I certainly hope that I'm still improving," he said. "I'm approaching the best years in my life physically and I think they will be the best three-to-four years of my career."

The extra ten pounds, especially noticeable in his legs, have not come from eating more or lifting weights, McEnroe said, but from playing "a lot of hard matches and taking care of myself.

"I think the weight really has helped me stay away from injuries. I was so light in the last couple of years that I was very susceptible to injury."

Now, at 168 pounds, McEnroe thinks he should lose 2-or-3 pounds to be at his ideal weight, but says the extra bulk hasn't slowed him down.

"I feel like I'm getting stronger and I think that will help me down the stretch," he said.

After winning in Belgium, McEnroe decided to take three weeks off to prepare for the grueling schedule before Wimbledon that will take him to Dallas, New York and all over Europe.

"I really felt like I needed that time off. I played nine of the first 10 weeks and I needed a little rest before starting up again," he said.

"I'm beginning to get in shape again and I feel like I'm getting stronger. I hope to do well in the French because I've never gotten past the quarters there. If I can get my concentration back I should do really well."