Mats Wilander and Boris Becker posted singles victories Friday, leaving Sweden and defending champion West Germany tied 1-1 after the first day of the Davis Cup final.
Wilander ended a year-long slump with a 5-7, 7-6 (7-0), 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 6-3 decision over Carl-Uwe Steeb of West Germany that took 4 hours, 24 minutes. Becker then avenged his recent loss to Stefan Edberg, blazing past the Swede 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 to even the best-of-five series entering Saturday's doubles.Wilander, a veteran of six Davis Cup finals and winner of seven Grand Slam titles, looked tentative on forays at the net. He frittered away 5-2 leads in the first and second sets and a 5-3 lead in the third.
Becker's rough-and-tumble victory blew through the Hanns-Martin Schleyer Halle like a fresh wind after the long rallies of the first match. The slick carpet, chosen especially to favor Becker's big serve, did its job and the world's No. 2 player responded with aggressive moves at the net.