1 Response to rg98pioline_arazi

1. Voo de Mar says:

   May 20, 2024 at 4:22 pm

   Points won by each set: [ 20-31, 33-22, 45-46, 32-36, 34-28 ]
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   20 % Pioline – 38 of 181
   22 % Arazi – 33 of 146

   Incredible match in terms of wasting break points – Arazi [45] couldn’t convert BP in ten different games (!), which could be quite shocking in any five-setter, but it’s extraordinary on clay. The bad streak began in the opener as he led 4:2, but it didn’t make an impact on the final score of that set. From the beginning of the 2nd set Pioline changed his tactics, he was more patient from the baseline and it paid dividends. In the crucial 3rd set the Moroccan came back from an almost double break down to lead 5:4 after the longest rally of the match (31 strokes, finished with his first volley winner), later on he led 6:5* (30/0) when Pioline [17] got a point with a BH volley. There was an adv-set point cancelled with an ace. At 6:5 in the tie-break Arazi had his another set point, this time on serve, but the Frenchman got the point with the help of his trademark shot – backhand overhead. 8/6 for him, and one break separated them in the next two sets: in 4th set at 1-all, and in the decider at 3:2 for Pioline, who won the first three games of the final set saving break points as well as one break ponit in the last game of the 3-hour 42-minute match. It was Pioline’s third 5-set victory on Philippe Chatrier Court in the fortnight, following his 3:40 hrs over Filippini (1R) and 3:18 hrs over teenage Safin (4R). Due to demanding matches, Pioline was deflated in the semifinal, this situation will be repeated during US Open ’99.

   Serve & volley: Pioline 10/18, Arazi 0

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