WORLD number four Boris Becker lived dangerously again yesterday, sliding to the brink of defeat in a second round match against Sweden's Thomas Johansson before emerging the conqueror in a dramatic fifth set.
Becker, who thought his first round success two days ago had exorcised the demons that have dogged his Open campaign since winning the title five years ago, came face to face with them again when two sets down on a packed number one court.
Johansson (20), ranked 114th in the world and with nothing to lose, was 2-2 and 40-0 up on Becker's serve in the third set with the German seemingly at his mercy in the year's first Grand Slam event.
But Becker, who acknowledged the jinx was playing on his mind when he overcame Britain's Greg Rusedski in five sets, amazingly clawed his way back for a second time to win the match 4-6, 3-6, 6- 2, 6-1, 6-4.
Becker (28), who thrives on theatre, said his game was lifted in the pivotal fifth game of the third set when all seemed lost by the almost hysterical support for his opponent from the fanatical, blue and yellow face painted Swedish fans.
"They were making me angry for me it's always good to be angry because I am really going for my shots and trying to bother them (the crowd) even more," he said.
Both players were given long, standing ovations. Ber bowed and doffed his cap as he left the court.
Becker, who has not survived the first round at the Open since 1993, will now meet another Swede, Magnus Larsson, who is ranked 19th in the world.
Number one seed Pete Sampras also faltered earlier in his second round match against lowly ranked Michael Joyce, losing the first set before gathering himself and cruising in the final three sets to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Sampras, who served 20 aces, heads the top eight seeds who have advanced into the third round. He now faces a threatening opponent in Australia's rising star, 19 year old Mark Philippoussis.
Philippoussis, who beat Israel's Eyal Ran in four sets, was described by Sampras as one of the circuit's more dangerous younger players, particularly after taking him to four sets at last year's US Open.
While the top men seeds survived, defending champion Mary Pierce and fifth seed Kimiko Date of Japan were bundled out of the women's singles.
Fourth seed Pierce was all at sea in her match against 51st ranked Russian Elena Likhovtseva, losing 6-4, 6-4.
Date, a semi finalist two years ago, fell to compatriot Mana Endo in three sets at Flinders Park, a loss that ensured Japan will still have four players in the women's third round.
