Wimbledon `99: Game, Set And Matchless

1957: HOAD V COOPER

The day tennis changed forever as the power-hitting era dawned. Lew Hoad, who many to this day regard as the best player ever, was the defending champion and at the peak of his powers. Ashley Cooper, a fine player in his own right (he was champion in 1958), was swatted aside as Hoad won 6-2 6-1 6-2 - a scoreline which did not flatter the great Australian. A recurring theme of the match was a good, fast Cooper serve, a booming return from Hoad, a puff of chalk dust and a point to the Australian. The manner was as remarkable as the margin of the victory - small wonder there was a queue of former champions to congratulate him.