On this day 4 June 1994 (Exactly 26 years ago today) Ghana’s Ike Quartey beat Crisanto Espana of Venezuela by technical knockout in round 11 of 12 to for the WBA Welterweight title at the Palais Marcel Cerdan, Levallois-Perret, Hauts-de-Seine, France
Espana was hurt badly by Quartey early in the round, and was only held up from going down by the ropes. The referee stopped the action and administered a mandatory eight count to Espana. Quartey quickly finished off Espana with a flurry, finished off with a right hand that sent Espana down. As Espana was falling, his corner threw in the towel, and the referee immediately stopped the fight.
At the time of the stoppage one judge had Quartey ahead, one had him behind and a third judge had the fight even
Location: Palais Marcel Cerdan, Levallois-Perret, Hauts-de-Seine, France
Referee: Julio Cesar Alvarado
Judge: Oscar Perez Carbonell 95-95
Judge: Justo Vasquez Marcos 99-95
Judge: Lou Tabat 94-96
Some Notable Roland Garros Finals on this day
On this day 4 June 1988 (Exactly 32 years ago today) Steffi Graf dominated Natalia Zvereva of Belarus 6-0, 6-0 in shortest women’s singles Grand Slam final in Open Era; 32 minutes
The official time of the match given on the scoresheet was 34 minutes , however just 32 minutes of playing time, split into two periods of nine and 23 minutes due to a rain break. It is the only “double bagel” Grand Slam final of the Open Era.
On this day 4 June 2005(Exactly 15 years ago today) Justine Henin beat Mary Pierce for French Open title
Justine Henin kept her cool and capped her comeback, while a nervous Mary Pierce endured the worst drubbing in a French Open final since 1988.
Flourishing on her favorite stage, Henin beat Pierce 6-1, 6-1 to win the French Open, completing a remarkable recovery from a blood virus with her fourth major title and her second at Roland Garros.
On this day 4 June 1994 (Exactly 26 years ago today) 4-time major singles champion,
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario of Spain beat Mary Pierce 6-4, 6-4 for her 2nd career Grand Slam title, and her 2nd French singles crown
On this day 4 June 1983 (Exactly 37 years ago today) 18- time Grand Slam singles champion Chris Evert beat Mima Jausovec of Yugoslavia 6-1, 6-2 for her 15th Grand Slam title and 5th French singles crown
Chris Evert Lloyd routed Mima Jausovec of Yugoslavia in 66 minutes to win the French Open tennis championship for a record-tying fifth time.
It was Evert’s 15th major title, having won the French Open five times, the U.S. Open six times, Wimbledon three times, and the Australian Open once
On this day 4 June 2011(Exactly 9 years ago today) Li Na made history as the first Chinese player to win a Grand Slam singles title with a straight-sets win over defending champion Francesca Schiavone in the French Open final.
The 29-year-old, ranked seventh in the world, made up for defeat in January’s Australian Open final by beating the Italian fifth seed 6-4 7-6 (7-0).
Dominant on serve and consistently threatening from the baseline, Li overcame a late wobble to take away Schiavone’s title in one hour and 48 minutes.
“When I was a young player I wanted to be in a Grand Slam final,” said Li. “But today, some people say I’m getting old – so the old woman had the dream come true. Not easy.”
On this day 4 June 2016 (Exactly 4 years ago today) Spain’s Garbine Muguruza beat the then world number one Serena Williams in straight sets to win her first Grand Slam title at the French Open.
Fourth seed Muguruza won 7-5 6-4 to make amends for losing the previous year’s Wimbledon final against Williams.
She is Spain’s first female champion at Roland Garros since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1998.
Williams had hoped to win a 22nd Grand Slam singles title and tie Steffi Graf’s Open-era record.
“I’m so, so excited – to play in a Grand Slam against one of the best players, it’s the perfect final,” Muguruza said.
“I’m so happy. I had to be very ready and concentrated on all the points and just to fight as much as I can.
“All the matches I’ve played against her helped me. It’s our favourite tournament in Spain and I want to thank all my Spanish supporters
On this day 4 June 1928(Exactly 92 years ago today) France’s Henri Cochet, who won 7-Grand Slam singles titles, won his 2nd of 4 home titles after beating countryman René Lacoste 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3
By:George ‘Alan Green’ Mahamah
