The 3 men to reach multiple US Open finals but never lift the title – ft. iconic Bjorn Borg
The list of US Open men’s singles champions contains some of the biggest names in tennis history.
All of the ‘Big Three’ lifted the title, as did the likes of Ivan Lendl, Pete Sampras, and Andre Agassi, though some high-profile names missed out.
Amid US Open finals weekend, we look at the three men who have reached multiple finals at the tournament in the Open Era without ever lifting the title.
Tony Roche: 1969-70
A member of the dominant generation of Australian players that ruled over men’s tennis in the 1960s and early 1970s, Roche was twice a US Open runner-up – but never quite got his hands on the title.
Roche lost his first final at the tournament in 1969 to compatriot Rod Laver, who completed his historic second Calendar Grand Slam thanks to a 7-9, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 victory in the final.
A year later, he was back in the final and back up against another Australian, in the form of Ken Rosewall.
Once again, Roche was on the wrong side of the result, falling 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-3 to his compatriot.
In his singles career, he is probably best remembered for his pre-Open Era victory at the 1966 French Championships, and was also the runner-up in Paris in 1965 and 1967 – and a beaten Wimbledon finalist in 1968.
He also won 15 Grand Slam titles across men’s and mixed doubles, spanning the amateur and professional ages.
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Jan Kodes: 1971, 1973
Kodes remains rather unheralded, despite his impressive exploits in the early 1970s.
The Czech star was a pioneer for tennis in his country, claiming back-to-back French Open titles in 1970 and 1971, and triumphing at Wimbledon in 1973.
However, Kodes was never quite able to get his hands on the title in New York, being beaten in two finals in the space of just three years.
He was already the reigning Roland Garros champion when he reached his first US Open final in 1971, losing 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(3) to home favourite Stan Smith.
Two years later, the former world No 5 returned to the final – just months after lifting his third major at the All England Club.
Facing legendary Aussie John Newcombe, Kodes led by two sets to one, though ultimately was beaten 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
He never played at the Australian Open, meaning this was the only major he played but never won.
Bjorn Borg: 1976, 1978, 1980-81
When you look at a list of male players who never won the US Open, Borg’s name sticks out like a sore thumb.
The Swede is undoubtedly an icon of the game, a trailblazing star who did more than most to turn tennis into a global phenomenon.
Borg was ranked world No 1 for 109 weeks across his career and is famed for his domination at both the French Open and Wimbledon.
He won six titles in Paris, the second-most of any man in the Open Era, while his streak of five straight titles at SW19 is a joint record for men’s titles in that time.
However, he never got his hands on the title in New York, though it wasn’t for a lack of trying – losing the final four times.
Borg was first beaten in the 1976 final, losing 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(9), 6–4 to Jimmy Connors, and two years later the American thrashed him 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 to hand him a second final loss.
The Swede returned to the final in 1980 and this was the closest he came to lifting the title, though this time another American – John McEnroe – battled his way to an epic 7-6(4), 6-1, 6-7(5), 5-7, 6-4 victory.
Borg then returned to the final in 1981, though was again beaten by McEnroe, falling 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3.
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