1 Response to stuttgart98krajicek_sampras

1. Voo de Mar says:

   December 15, 2021 at 4:10 pm

   Points won by each set: | 33-37, 29-25, 38-39 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   51 % Krajicek – 52 of 101
   38 % Sampras – 38 of 100

   An all-serve-and-volley duel between powerful servers, with an average rally rarely consisted of four strokes or more. Sampras [1] was six points away from winning in straight sets (4-all, deuce in the 2nd set on Krajicek’s serve) and three points in the decider (when Sampras cut in the tie-break from *3:6 to 5:6). The only break of the match (10th game of the 2nd set) occurred when Sampras committed three double faults; no break point in the 3rd set. “I just like to play him and his game suits me somehow,” Krajicek [11] said after his fifth victory in seven matches against Sampras. Their tie-break records after the match for the 1998 season: Krajicek 25-11, Sampras 25-8… In the final Krajicek fired 21 aces and didn’t face a break point in three sets against Kafelnikov. The Dutchman said afterwards: “My serve was very important. I returned well also. You can’t win only with serve.” He earned $376.000 while Kafelnikov picked up $198.000. Looking in retrospect Krajicek’s triumph is even more impressive – he defeated five former or future Nos. 1 & 2!

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