Wilander defeats McEnroe to win NTT DATA

Mats Wilander of Sweden leaped to an early lead in the second set before defeating John McEnroe of the United States on Sunday in the $150,000 NTT DATA Champions in Tokyo, for the Swede's first tournament title in Japan.

Mats Wilander of Sweden leaped to an early lead in the second set before defeating John McEnroe of the United States on Sunday in the $150,000 NTT DATA Champions in Tokyo, for the Swede's first tournament title in Japan.

In their second meeting in a senior tour final, Wilander defeated the US player 1-6, 6-3, 10-7 at the Ariake Coliseum to take home the $40,000 top prize.

"I played great tennis today," Wilander said after winning his third Worldwide Senior Tennis Circuit tournament.

Sunday's win moved Wilander to second place, or 15 points, behind Henri Leconte of France in the 1999-2000 Masters Point Standings.

The NTT DATA Champions is the 14th event on the 1999-2000 Worldwide Senior Tennis Circuit, which continues om 11-14 November in Zagreb, Croatia.

McEnroe, who beat Wilander in May at the Sprint PCS Champions in Washington, DC, said he regretted the latest loss.

"I am very disappointed. I should have won," said McEnroe.

In the doubles final, Andres Gomez of Ecuador and Tim Wilkison of the United States defeated Ansour Bahrami of France and Mel Purcell of the United States 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 10-5.