Iconic Bjorn Borg: One of the three men to reach multiple US Open finals but never lift the title

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.