WIMBLEDON, England--John McEnroe was warned and penalized after angry clashes with the umpire today but defeated Australia's Rod Frawley 7-6, 6-4, 7-5 to advance to the Wimbledon final.
Bjorn Borg came from behind in the other semi-final to defeat Jimmy Connors, 0-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, 6-4.
Second in a Series
McEnroe was warned about his conduct in the first set, but his dispute came to a boil in the third set, when he lost an argument over a line call and said in a loud voice: "You are a disgrace to mankind."
The umpire, Wing Commander George Grime, announced a penalty point for unsportsmanlike conduct. That gave Frawley the game for a 5-4 lead.
McEnroe stormed to the umpire's chair and said: "I wasn't talking to you, sir, I was talking to myself."
He kept shouting: "Do you hear? I was talking to myself. Can't a man talk to himself?"
McEnroe demanded to see the tournament referee, Fred Hoyles.
Hoyles came on to the court, conferred with Grime and told McEnroe: "You were heard by the umpire. I am satisfied with the competency of the umpire."
Read more in News
Editor for This Issue:
