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1970 Pepsi-Cola Masters

1970 Pepsi-Cola Masters
DateDecember 9–15
Edition1st
CategoryMasters
Draw6S / 3D
Prize money$50,000
SurfaceCarpet / indoor
LocationTokyo, Japan
VenueTokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
Champions
Singles
United States Stan Smith
Doubles
United States Arthur Ashe / United States Stan Smith
ATP Finals · 1971 →

The 1970 Masters (also known as the 1970 Pepsi-Cola Masters for sponsorship reasons)[1] was a tennis tournament played on indoor carpet courts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. It was the first edition of the year-end Masters Grand Prix and was held from December 9 through December 15, 1970. The event included a singles and doubles draw, both of which were held in a round robin format. Stan Smith won the first singles title and then partnered Arthur Ashe to the doubles title as well.

The best six players from the 1970 Grand Prix circuit ranking qualified for the singles event. Cliff Richey, the winner of the Grand Prix ranking, could not participate due to illness. John Newcombe was the first replacement as the number seven ranked but was unable to play which meant that Jan Kodeš, ranked eight, completed the field.[2] Stan Smith won the singles title in the round robin format and earned $15,000 first-prize money.[3]

Finals

Singles

United States Stan Smith won a round robin competition also featuring United States Arthur Ashe, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Željko Franulović, Czechoslovakia Jan Kodeš, Australia Rod Laver and Australia Ken Rosewall.

  • It was Smith's 6th title of the year and the 9th of his career.

Doubles

United States Arthur Ashe / United States Stan Smith won a round robin competition against the teams of Czechoslovakia Jan Kodeš / Australia Rod Laver and Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Željko Franulović / Australia Ken Rosewall.

  • It was Ashe's 6th title of the year and the 7th of his professional career. It was Smith's 7th title of the year and the 10th of his career.

References

  1. ^ Collins, Bud (October 2010). "Year-End Championships". The Bud Collins History of Tennis: An Authoritative Encyclopedia and Record Book. New York: New Chapter Press. p. 746. ISBN 978-0-942257-70-0.
  2. ^ John Barrett, ed. (1971). World of Tennis '71. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 134. ISBN 978-0-362-00091-7.
  3. ^ "Smith Bows to Ashe, but Wins Round-Robin Tennis in Tokyo". The New York Times. 15 December 1970.