What Have Been the Greatest Upsets in U.S. Open Tennis History? Comments
Looking at the modern era or from 1968 forward, how many times has the number one seed or one of the top seeds gone down to defeat unexpectedly in New York during the U.S. Open? Here are some of the most famous upsets listed here in chronological order.
1975 Jimmy Connors (1) vs. Manuel Orantes (3), Finals
Ornates won 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. In 1975 Jimmy Connors, the No. 1 seed defeated his arch rival Bjorn Borg in the semifinals while Spain’s Manuel Orantes defeated the No. 2 seed Guillermo Vilas in a very difficult match to reach the final, facing Jimmy Connors. The Open at Forest Hills was being played on clay in 1975.
Connors was having a bad year, for him, losing his Australian Open crown to John Newcombe and his Wimbledon trophy to Arthur Ashe. His back was against the wall as the American faced the Spaniard Orantes, trying to retain his hold on the No. 1 ranking.
The clay surface obviously benefitted Orantes. But Connors had defeated the Spaniard in six of their last seven meetings and felt confident going into the match that he would win again.
Orantes never let the American into the match. The Spaniard played slow, denying Connors pace, never allowing him to establish a rhythm. Orantes lobbed and passed Connors at the net with amazing accuracy.











