Points won by each set: | 51-48, 38-35, 44-42 |
Points won directly behind the serve:
29 % Kafelnikov – 37 of 126
26 % Stich – 35 of 132
The tightest three-set final in the Open Era with crazy twists: Stich was two points away from winning the 1st set at 6:5* (30-all) having saved a double break point in the previous game with two aces, had a set point on serve to win the 2nd set at 5:4 (already led *5:2, 30-all) & led 4:2* (30-all) in the 3rd set, then saved two match points in the 10th game to squander a break point at 5-all! Stich is the last serve-and-volleyer to reach the final at Roland Garros… Actually it’s the last French Open with a bunch of attacking players in the quarter-finals, Kafelnikov won his last three matches against serve-and-volleyers.
Kafelnikov’s route to his 10th title:
1 Galo Blanco 6-1, 6-3, 6-3
2 Thomas Johansson 6-2, 7-5, 6-3
3 Felix Mantilla 6-4, 6-2, 6-2
4 Francisco Clavet 6-4, 6-3, 6-3
Q Richard Krajicek 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2
S Pete Sampras 7-6(4), 6-0, 6-2
W Michael Stich 7-6(4), 7-5, 7-6(4)