1 Response to a095edberg_philippoussis

1. Voo de Mar says:

   January 15, 2022 at 8:41 am

   Points won by each set: | 26-28, 29-21, 43-34, 37-30 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   37 % Edberg – 47 of 124
   27 % Philippoussis – 34 of 124

   # Similar situation to Wimbledon 1993 – Edberg wins a very difficult 4-setter against an unknown opponent who will become the fastest server in the world & a Grand Slam runner-up a few years later. The 18-year-old “wild card” Philippoussis entered his fourth main-level event not playing in front of a big crowd before, having easily lost his qualifying matches in two preceding Australian events, so it was shocking how well he was playing in the first 45 minutes – Edberg had no chance to break while he was forced to save break points in three service games being broken twice… 4-6, *1:3 (0/15) from his perspective when the young Aussie finally began to show his inexperience. On the other hand, Edberg figured out that it was better to serve faster his 1st serve and occasionally stay on the baseline behind the second serve. The Swede saved two break points at 2:3 in the 3rd set, he trailed *5:6 (15/30) and since the 7/1 tie-break to the end of the match his authority in his service games wasn’t challenged. As he led 6:5 in the 4th set he got a decisive break with the help of two forehand winners (passing-shot & return on match point). Just like for Rusedski two years before, a tight match in a Slam against a legend of the game it was a huge booster of confidence for the young Australian who reaches a final in his another main-level appearance – as opposed to Rusedski who won the title in Newport ’93, Philippoussis loses a final in Scottsdale. Philippoussis experiences a tremendous progress within the next twelve months, in the meantime he defeats Edberg 6-0, 6-2 of Tokyo-indoors ’95 in 43 minutes (!) and that humiliation makes a strong impact on Edberg’s decision to play his last season in 1996.

   # Comparison of Edberg’s tight 4-setters against young big-servers:
   Wimbledon ’93 (1R): [3] Edberg d. [155, q] Rusedski 7-6, 6-4, 6-7, 7-6… 3 hours 18 minutes… Total points: 161-158…
   Aus Open ’95 (1R): [7] Edberg d. [274, WC] Phili’ssis 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 7-5… 2 hours 29 minutes… Total points: 135-113…

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