The 1964 Ladies' Singles final was one of the few occasions
whereby the two top seeds faced each other in a match deserving
of the final. It pitted two players of contrasting physiques
and styles against one another, in what was to be one of
the most enthralling matches in Wimbledon's history.
On one side was Maria Bueno, a young dark-haired Brazilian
who graced the Wimbledon courts in the late fifties and
early sixties, much in the style of Suzanne Lenglen. She
established herself in the affections of the British public
when she won the Ladies' Championships back-to-back in 1959
and 1960 but injuries and illness were to prevent her building
on that in the following years, until 1964 when, as the
second seed, she reached the final for the loss of just
one set.
Reaching the final was one thing, winning the title was
another as she was to discover, but she had the popular
vote and, as the understandable underdog, she had the crowd's
backing as she was not only facing the defending champion,
but a woman already being acclaimed as the most powerful
stroke player in the women's game.
Her opponent, Margaret Smith, was top seed and clear favourite.
She was a fitness fanatic, big and strong, and, at 21 years
of age, already the proud owner of seven Grand Slam titles.
Miss Bueno looked frail alongside the Australian and though
considerably more experienced at 24, she trailed in Grand
Slam title terms having only collected four. In head-to-head
terms, they arrived at The Championships having beaten each
other once each during the season.
The scene was set and on a fine sunny July Saturday afternoon,
the two contestants emerged from behind the roller end clutching
their rackets, flowers and, in Miss Smith's case, her handbag!
It was clearly evident as they strode to the umpires' chair,
that Miss Bueno was the more nervous of the two, as in contrast
Miss Smith looked confident and self-assured. What was to
follow, however, soon knocked that confidence askew as the
second seed visibly discarded her nerves immediately the
action started, going on to claim the first set.
Then the match really settled into a classic contest between
two well-matched players.
The defending champion's powerful serve clicked into place
as she strode into a second set 4-0, 40-15 lead only to
become slightly tentative and allow her opponent back in.
The Australian's serve had started to falter and short
serves were being punished as the Brazilian number-one fought
her way back to level, only to grind to a halt in a crucial
ninth game, just failing to make a vital breakthrough which
would have seen her go on to serve for the title.
Five break points were saved by Miss Smith or alternatively
lost by Miss Bueno in that tense eight-deuce game.
It was absolutely scintillating tennis and proved a turning
point, raising the level of the match from being a mundane
final, to a classic one with Miss Smith producing a series
of exquisite backhand passes to level the match in the 16th
game.
At a set apiece, both had everything to play for but the
initiative now was with the defending champion, her challenger
having seemingly blown her chances.
Serving well again, Miss Smith led 3-2 in the decider.
But Miss Bueno was not to be denied. She found her second
wind and took the match to the champion embroiling her in
some superb lengthy rallies, drawing tumultuous applause
from the enthralled crowd as she snatched back the initiative.
The second wind blew into a storm as the Brazilian broke
for 4-3 and inexorably maintained the pressure to reach
5-3, 40-15, match point.
Incredibly, after all those sweet and exciting exchanges,
the match was won on an exceptional reflex pick-up. The
incoming Bueno half-volleyed a Smith smash off her toes
seemingly using the wooden racket-frame. The ball floated
over the net and simply died giving the underdog a well
deserved and hard earned 6-4, 7-9, 6-3 victory and her third
Wimbledon singles title.
That winning shot remains indelibly imprinted on my mind.
The match had been superb, capped by a winning shot which
demands incredible reflexes and hand-eye co-ordination.
The winner was in fact immortalised by Max Robertson who
described the ball as landing 'like a fried egg!'
The match itself had been an encounter between two great
athletes, one naturally gifted and the other physically
powerful. As one journalist said at the time, it was the
'rapier against the broadsword'.
It was a contest that was to be repeated a year later.
In 1965, Smith and Bueno met again in the Wimbledon Ladies'
final, with the Brazilian ranked first and the Australian
ranked second. This time, though, it was Smith who was victorious,
winning in straight-sets 6-4, 7-5 in 56 minutes.
Written by Henry Wancke
