One day before the start of this year's French Open we look back at two great champions of
the French Open. Americans Monica Seles and Michael Chang both served up youth while facing older and more experienced
competitors. Click left to view two videos.
Monica Seles
Monica Seles turned pro in 1989 and enjoyed immediate success. She defeated clay court queen Chris Evert to win her first
title in Houston, Texas, USA in May of 1989 while barely weighing 90 pounds.
The very next year in 1990, Seles became the youngest ever champion at the French Open, winning at age 16. Seles' powerful
trademark two-handed groundstrokes on both sides would bring her three overall French Open titles in 1990-1992.
In the final of 1992 Seles met her toughest rival, Steffi Graf of Germany. Graf was not patient or consistent enough on
that day as Seles unleashed an array of punishing groundstrokes and extreme angles to take the title.
1989 Final: Michael Chang def. Stefan Edberg 6–1, 3–6, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2
Michael Chang After recording numerous youngest ever record on the juniors' tour, Michael Chang turned pro in 1988. As with Seles,
only one year after turning pro Chang found himself in a historic match at the French Open.
In 1989 in the French Open fourth round Chang met world number one and three time former champion Ivan Lendl of
Czechoslovakia. Lendl was the overwhelming favorite to win the match as Chang was seeded only 15th and aged 17 years old.
Chang would overcome leg cramps and an almost physical disaster by serving unhanded, mixing in moonballs and standing well
inside the baseline to return serve. Chang shocked the crowd and defeated Lendl 4–6, 4–6, 6–3, 6–3, 6–3 in four hours
and 37 minutes.
A week later Chang, running down every ball hit back to defeat Stefan Edberg of Sweden in a five set final thriller
6–1, 3–6, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 to become the youngest ever male winner of a grand slam singles title at age 17.
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