2 Responses to ao96_becker_chang

1. Voo de Mar says:

   February 14, 2024 at 5:53 pm

   Points won by each set: | 28-18, 37-31, 17-31, 33-22 |
   Points directly behind the serve:
   31 % Becker – 32 of 103
   33 % Chang – 39 of 115

   Becker [4] knew how to play against Chang [5]; the German defeated the Chinese American in five of their six meetings #, easily even on his least favorite surface (6-4, 6-4, 6-2 at Roland Garros ’91). The final lasted 2 hours 30 minutes and was quite similar to their previous major match, excluding the 3rd set in which Chang jumped to a 3:0 lead. It’s quite astonishing that Chang got more points directly behind the serve so it’s tough to say that Becker overwhelmed his opponent with his powerful serve. The German triumphed in Melbourne for the second time in a five-year span. “He surprised me a little,” Chang admitted, “Because Boris is usually a slow starter.” Chang advanced to the final not dropping a set, therefore he was perceived by many as a favorite.

   Becker’s route to his last Grand Slam title (45th overall):
   1 Greg Rusedski 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
   2 Thomas Johansson 4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4
   3 Magnus Larsson 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-3
   4 Brett Steven 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2
   Q Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-4, 7-6(9), 6-1
   S Mark Woodforde 6-4, 6-2, 6-0
   W Michael Chang 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2

   # Comparison of Becker’s two 4-set Aussie Open finals:
   1991: Becker d. Lendl 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4… 2 hours 50 minutes… Total points: 117-119
   1996: Becker d. Chang 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4… 2 hours 30 minutes… Total points: 115-103

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2. Voo de Mar says:

   February 14, 2024 at 5:57 pm

   # They also met in the semifinal at Kooyong ’95 (exhibition event), and Chang won it 4-6, 6-4, 7-6

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