He beat Arthur to win the 1972 U.S. Open WSJ Crossword Clue

By Narcissa Kh /

Crossword Answer

1 ? I
2 ? L
3 ? I
4 ? E
light icon Hint

Interactive Solver for He beat Arthur to win the 1972 U.S. Open Crossword Clue

Drag letters from the pool into “Your Answer”, then reorder them to match the solution.

Your Answer 4 Letter
    Current guess:
    Letter Pool
      Need a helpful nudge?

      Unlock the puzzle's secrets with Daze's progressive hints!

      Hint 1

      hint
      light icon eye-off icon Reveal Hint

      Think of a Romanian tennis player who made a racket in the early '70s.

      Hint 2

      meaning
      light icon eye-off icon Reveal Hint

      ???? Năstase was a Romanian professional tennis player known for his skill and flamboyant style.

      Hint 3

      explanation
      light icon eye-off icon Reveal Hint

      The clue refers to the 1972 U.S. Open men's singles final, where ???? Năstase defeated Arthur Ashe. 'He beat Arthur' indicates the victor of a notable match against Arthur Ashe.

      Hint 4

      another clue
      light icon eye-off icon Reveal Hint

      Tennis great Nastase

      Clue Analysis

      The clue “He beat Arthur to win the 1972 U.S. Open” is a classic crossword staple, frequently appearing in puzzles like the WSJ crossword. For the puzzle dated June 26 2026, the definitive 4-letter answer is: ILIE.

      Expert Tip: When you’re stuck, try to analyze the structure of the clue itself. Is it a direct definition, a pun, a fill-in-the-blank, or a pop culture reference? Identifying the type of clue you’re dealing with is a key skill for improving your solving speed.

      Finished the WSJ Puzzle? Check out this link for future puzzles:

      Play the Official Game

      Your Questions, Answered by Experts.

      At Daze Puzzle, we understand that every clue is a puzzle within a larger puzzle. Our team of dedicated human experts and puzzle lovers solves these challenges daily to help you succeed. Below, we answer common questions about this specific clue.

      He beat Arthur to win the 1972 U.S. Open Crossword Clue