rotterdam92becker_volkov

Points won by each set: [ 43-43, 22-25, 31-23 ]
Points won directly on serve:
27 % Becker – 25 of 91
33 % Volkov – 32 of 96

Volkov [20] – an awkward player who was able to beat each of the best players of the 90s at least once, except Becker [4]. They played ten times, and that final in Rotterdam (their match no. 7) arguably meant Volkov’s best scoreline. He had many opportunities to win the opener: first he led 4:3 (40/30) when Becker hit a forehand DTL winner, then 6:5 (30-all) to waste six set points in the tie-break (6:3, 7:6, *8:7 & 9:8) – Becker fought off two set points with big serves, at other chances the Russian made errors. Despite losing a painful set, Volkov continued his streak of service games won without any troubles; he did it 11 times in a row and finally at the beginning of the decider he was forced to save three break points. Becker converted his fifth opportunity with a backhand volley. From 5:2* (30-all) to the end, he didn’t even hit the ball because Volkov committed two straight double faults not trying to risk his serves. It was their second final following Milan ’89 – in both cases Becker had defeated John McEnroe in the semifinals.

Becker’s route to his 33rd title:
1 Michiel Schapers 6-3, 6-1
2 Anders Jarryd 6-2, 6-4
Q Patrick McEnroe 6-3, 7-5
S John McEnroe 6-2, 7-6(1)
W Alexander Volkov 7-6(9), 4-6, 6-2

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